World Series: Phillies at Yankees, Game 1
Cliff Lee, LHP vs. CC Sabathia, LHP
Time: 7:57 p.m at Yankee Stadium
Weather: Cloudy, 50
TV: FOX
Twitter: Phillies Nation
The wait is finally over. At 7:57 eastern time, the Philadelphia Phillies will defend their crown against the 26-time champion New York Yankees. History is at stake in this series, as the Phillies look to become the first NL team to repeat since the Big Red Machine in the mid-70’s.
Cliff Lee is the man to start this thing up. Lee has been unstoppable in the playoffs thus far, sporting a sub-one ERA. He has pulled a Cole Hamels this postseason by putting the team on his back when it counts the most. Lee has two wins and just three walks against 20 strikeouts so far. In this all important Game 1, let’s see how Lee responds to the bright lights of the Bronx.
On the other side is 6’7″, 280-pound, C.C. Sabathia. He’s been just as unhittable as Lee, dominating both the Twins and Angels in his three starts this year. He’s 3-0 with an ERA of 1.19, proving that last years blowup against the Phillies in the NLDS with Milwaukee is in the past. With two lefties on the mound, we could be in for quite the duel.
Offensively, these teams are as close as they come. Both hit for ridiculous power, play in smallish parks, and boast the scariest lineup in their respective leagues. If your looking for a weakness on either side, keep searching. For New York, their defense is probably their Achillies heel, if there is one to choose. They don’t commit many errors, however, their outfielders have suspect arms and catcher Jorge Posada has a surgically repaired shoulder which could mean more Phillies running the bases.
The Phillies downfall is clearly the back end of their bullpen. Brad Lidge floundered through the regular season, but has since picked it up to record three saves and a win in the ’09 postseason. Lidge has not allowed a run yet either, and the same goes for Chad Durbin, who has seen action in five games without allowing a runner to score.
It’s a series that’s as evenly matched as they come. Forget about words – there is nothing left to predict or describe when it comes to the Phillies and Yankees. It’s all up to the players on the field as they battle for baseball immortality. Tonight, our National Pastime begins its 105th Fall Classic.
Phillies. Yankees. Game 1. Let’s rock.
Phillies Lineup: Rollins (SS), Victorino (CF), Utley (2B), Howard (1B), Werth (RF), Ibanez (DH), Francisco (LF), Feliz (3B), Ruiz (C).
Yankees Lineup: Jeter (SS), Damon (LF), Teixeria (1B), Rodriguez (3B), Posada (C), Matsui (DH), Cano (2B), Swisher (RF), Cabrera (CF).
Phillies fans are ready to party and we’re ready for a victory so tonight’s beer is an easy pick. It also helps that it’s a Philly-area beer in the Marzen/Oktoberfest-style. This full-bodied brew retains an earthy taste to go along with its sweet caramel, toffee, and roasted malt flavors – perfect for the fall weather. Festbier goes well with German food, in which case I think a cheesesteak on a pretzel roll would qualify. – By Brian
GO PHILLIES!
