Who will win MLB's Fall Classic? The sports staff weighs in

Posted by smcdowell at 3:08 pm, Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
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The World Series begins tonight with Philadelphia traveling to New York in search of its second consecutive title. Now just hours before we get under way, the Beaufort Gazette/Island Packet sports staff will tell you which team will win it all and why.

Sam McDowell (Beat Reporter)
Phillies in 7; MVP — Ryan Howard
Pitching usually wins in October, but Philadelphia will prove the long ball wins in November. This may be one of the highest scoring World Series’ of all time, thanks to a potent Phillies lineup that includes Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Chase Utley, Howard, Raul Ibanez and Jayson Werth (not to mention the hot streak Carlos Ruiz has found this postseason). The Yankees have quite the lineup, yes, but pitching around ARod gets you to Hideki Matsui. I’ll take my chances with Matsui. Try pitching around Howard and facing Ibanez or Werth with runners on base. That’s what gives Philly the edge. That, and Cliff Lee is the best starting pitcher in this series (apologies to CC Sabathia).

Justin Jarrett (Asst. Sports Editor/Online, Reporter)
Phillies in 6; MVP — Cliff Lee
Lee has been lights-out in the playoffs, so if he can outduel his buddy CC Sabathia, the rest of the Phillies' rotation stacks up well against the Yankees' starters. Factor in the Phillies' power-packed lineup, and they should be able to knock a few out of the launching pad known as (the new) Yankees Stadium.

Lance Hanlin (Sports Editor)
Yankees in 6; MVP - Alex Rodriguez
I wish I could pick the Phillies here but it’s not going to happen. Both teams are solid, but the Yankees seem to have an edge in pitching. Plus, Roid Boy has been on a tear, batting .438 with five homers and 12 RBIs in the first two rounds of the playoffs. I just hope New York doesn’t sweep. Sunday’s game is scheduled to start at 8:20 p.m. With our deadline, we probably won’t be able to get that in Monday’s paper, forcing us to run the headline: “Yankees win World Series, two days ago.”

Mike Bragg (Asst. Sports Editor)
Yankees in 6; MVP — Mark Teixeira
This will be a World Series for the long ball. The Yankees and Phillies ranked 1-2 in home runs during the regular season. What will end up being the difference is what happens between those home runs — and that’s where the Yankees hold the edge. Both teams have two left-handed starting pitchers, but the Yankees are considerably better against southpaws than the Phils. CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte should fare better than the Phillies’ Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels.

Brandon Parker (Beat Reporter)
Phillies in 7; MVP — Jimmy Rollins
With the Yankees in their 40th World Series and repeat champions rare in baseball, history looks to be against Philadelphia. But in winning the title last year and surging through this postseason, the Phillies have shown a knack for clutch play, whether it be the power of Ryan Howard, the smooth swing of Jimmy Rollins or ace pitching of Cliff Lee. New York has the weapons to make it close, but in the end, the Yankees will again find that money can't buy a World Series.

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