World Series-Who's Going To Win,And In How Many Games?

[Mitchell]

Simple Poll-Who Is Going To Win the World Series, and how many games will it take?

 

[Mitchell]

My vote for this poll is that the Rays will win in six games. While I am rooting for my home state team, the Phillies, I know that through the years, World Series home field advantage has meant so much. Additionally, the Rays have an awesome lineup, and are a young, loose team. The Phillies will give them a fight, but I just see Tampa prevailing in six games.


Mitch

 

[Cy/MiG]

Despite the lay off and somewhat weak bullpen, I say Phils in 6.

I think experience means something. Remember the Rockies from last year? Yeah, they got creamed by the better Sox team. I think the same thing can happen this year with a hungry Philly team with lots of firepower.

I wouldn't be shocked if the Rays won, but I wouldn't be shocked if the Phils crushed the Rays either.

 

[milagros317]

My vote is Phillies in 6 games.

 

[Mitchell]

Mig/mils, thanks for your votes, guys.

Question: Dont you both agree that normally, the team with home field advantage tends to prevail in the World Series? While I know this isnt always true, (1999 with the Braves and 2003 with the Marlins come to mind) it seems to me that more often than not, the team with the extra game at home, tends to win the series. Additionally, while the Phillies do have a great lineup, I think Tampa's might be even a little better. The question for me, will be whether Philly's pitching, like Hamels, et, al, will shut down the Rays offense.

It will be very interesting to see what happens.

Mitch

 

[unclebill]

I say Rays in six games, and Obama for President.

 

[Mitchell]

I'm with you, buddy, on both predictions!

Mitch

 

[Cy/MiG]

Mig/mils, thanks for your votes, guys.

Question: Dont you both agree that normally, the team with home field advantage tends to prevail in the World Series? While I know this isnt always true, (1999 with the Braves and 2003 with the Marlins come to mind) it seems to me that more often than not, the team with the extra game at home, tends to win the series. Additionally, while the Phillies do have a great lineup, I think Tampa's might be even a little better. The question for me, will be whether Philly's pitching, like Hamels, et, al, will shut down the Rays offense.

It will be very interesting to see what happens.

Mitch

What it comes down to for me is experience and hunger.

Personally, I think the Rays lack both.

They'd probably be happy just getting to the WS, plus they have a future. The Phils on the other hand have been waiting for this chance since they drafted Scott Rolen and their window is closing. If they realize that this is their shot and come out swinging and throwing heat on the mound the Rays might get overwhelmed.

I know the MLB has become a parody league, but I just think that on paper the Phils possess the skills and mindset to finish the job.

The Rays are the Dark Horse/monkeywrench. They could win in 4 or lose in 7.

They have momentum and the better pitching staff (but no true closer), but the Phils have the bats (slight edge) and experience. I give the team defense a tie.

I think the first 2 games will set the tone for the series (which a generic and cliche statement, but it's usually true)

Should be interesting.

 

[Mitchell]

MIG, I see your point, however, I remind you to think back to other World Series.

1969-100 win Mets vs 109 win Orioles. Mets have a team batting average of .242, with but 109 homers. Mets do have 2.99 ERA. Orioles on the other hand, hit 265, with 175 homers, and a 2.83 team ERA. After the first game, the Mets basically rolled over them.

1988- 104 win A's who hit 156 homers, against a Dodger team that hit less than 100 homers. Hershiser pitches great, and the Dodgers win in five games.

1996- The Braves, the defending World Champs, blow the Yankees away the first two games in the Bronx, and then lose four straight.

2003- Wild Card Marlins Vs 100 plus win Yankees. Beckett stymies the Yankees in Game Six, Marlins win the series.

2006- 83 win Cardinals shut down powerful Tiger team.

World Series are not played on paper, as we know. So many Series have come down to one hot pitcher, or one hot hitter. I see the Rays as loose, and young, forgetting about the home field thing.

I think it will be a good series, and it may well go seven awesome games like the ALCS did, but in the end, I believe the Rays will prevail.

Mitch

 

[milagros317]

1988- 104 win A's who hit 156 homers, against a Dodger team that hit less than 100 homers. Hershiser pitches great, and the Dodgers win in five games.
Mitch

Not to mention Kirk Gibson. I've still got the video tapes of all 8 Dodger post-season victories from that season. 😀

 

[Mitchell]

Yes, Dennis Eckersley to Kirk Gibson. I remember it well. Probably one of the best moments in the Dodgers long history.

Mitch

 

[LBFT]

The Last Time

The last time the Phillies won the World Series my whole family watch the game together. It was a great time in my young life. My mother & father are gone now, but in a better place. I know in my heart they will be with the family again in our hearts as the 2008 Phillies make the run.

Thank You,
LBFT

 

[ViperGTS]

Phillies in 6.

 

[Cy/MiG]

Well, now that the first two (good) games are done I think we have an idea od the battle ahead.

And IMO, the Phillies would be on pace to sweep if they knew how to hit with RISP (seriously, 2-27?!)

The Baldelli check-swing K non-call and the missed Rollins HBP were the bad calls of tonights game. And Jason Werth choked major too many times.

Great games so far, hope this series goes 7. But I stick to my pick of Phils in 6 (or less if they can bring home the runs damnit!).

 

[Dave2112]

Everyone seems to be going with 6 games either way, and that's my usual Series pick. But, not this time. The teams are too close in talent, drive and determination.

Phillies in 7 after a long, hard Series. Hell, I'll go you one better. Phillies in the 7th game...extra innings.

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

Lets be fair, pitching wins titles. There is a BIG dropoff from Hamels to the rest of the staff. Then you have Tampa Bay who has solid pitching up and down their staff. Also, take into account that the Rays played the Red Sox 25 times this season and the Yankees another 18 times this season. They know what it takes to win. NOBODY picked the Rays to finish higher than fourth ( I picked them for third ). They acknowledged their good pitching but thought that division was too much for them.

I ask this, are the Phillies better than the likes of the Yankees or the Red Sox??? And if so, why is this team 1 for 28 with men in scoring position??? And their one hit didn't even drive in a run because it was an infield hit. I would expect the Phillies to lose either the Moyer or Blanton game and then force to return to Tampa where they will lose this series.

Not to be direspectful to the Phillies, they are a good team. Outside of Hamels and Lidge ( many are going to say Madson too ) is there anyone that you can trust on this pitching staff to get consistant outs in the next five games???

Also, if they aren't going to hit with runners in scoring position or get runners in with outs they will probably not score enough to win.

Rays in six!!!

 

[CitY of MicA]

I'm going with the Rays in 7. But if game 3 doesn't get started soon, nobody's winning this series 🙁 !

 

[ViperGTS]

I ask this, are the Phillies better than the likes of the Yankees or the Red Sox???

I don't know, let's see who wins their respective pennants and goes to the World Series.

Oh, wait a second.

 

[Cy/MiG]

Am I the only one who thought the Phils were going to hit into a triple play in the bottom of the ninth?

Great game 3, just wow.

Another bad call, too (Crawford was out---Moyer made a GREAT play)

Good to see Howard get a hit/HR, though.

This is shaping out to be a great series.

My only fear (other than the Phils lack of RISP hitting) is Charlie Manuels use of his bullpen... he almost crapped the bed on that one tonight.

2-1 Phils. If they win again then Rays in 6 is D-O-N-E!

 

[ViperGTS]

Dude. As soon as I heard "5 man infield" I hit the record button on my HDDVR. That was the weirdest fucking 9th inning I have ever seen. But it was AWESOME.

Heh. Squibbler. *grins*

 

[Mitchell]

So far, the Phillies have had everything go their way. They played an incredible game on Saturday night/early Sunday, and then Joe Blanton pitched the game of his life on Sunday night.

I hope it ends Monday night. I want to see the fans at Citizens go nuts. They have been waiting 28 years for this. It will almost be boring if it goes back to Tampa, and the Phillies win it there. Seeing twenty five guys jumping around on the field, while everyone else is quiet, or just respectfully applauding, is like yawn. You want to see the electricity of the crowd.

Go Phillies! Win it all Monday night! This is going to be really fun!

Mitch

 

[ViperGTS]

So far, the Phillies have had everything go their way. They played an incredible game on Saturday night/early Sunday, and then Joe Blanton pitched the game of his life on Sunday night.

I hope it ends Monday night. I want to see the fans at Citizens go nuts. They have been waiting 28 years for this. It will almost be boring if it goes back to Tampa, and the Phillies win it there. Seeing twenty five guys jumping around on the field, while everyone else is quiet, or just respectfully applauding, is like yawn. You want to see the electricity of the crowd.

Go Phillies! Win it all Monday night! This is going to be really fun!

Mitch

I love the phillies, but last night's game should have been a loss. Rollins was out at third and that made a 1 run difference.

 

[Mitchell]

Well, as all of us fans know, this World Series has taken a turn for the weird. We in the Philly and nearby area are now waiting out the rain, and the resumption of Game Five, which they hope to play tonight, but with the forecast, seems not likely to happen until Wednesday night.

In a side note: On the Devil Rays website, it stated that the Rays were staying at a Westin hotel in Center City Philadelphia during their World Series stay in Philly. With last night's game scheduled to be the last one in Philly, the Rays had checked out of their hotel, believing they were headed to Tampa, whether the Series was over, or not. The website said there were no hotels available in Philadelphia, so the Rays ended up having to find lodging in Wilimington, DE, 25 miles from Citizens.

Another side note: If the Series cant continue today, I would not want to be near the Sports Complex in Philly tomorrow night, if they have to continue the World Series tomorrow night at 8. The reason being that tomorrow night is also opening night for the Philadelphia 76ers, who also play at the Sports Complex, abit at the Wachovia Center, across the parking lot from Citizens Bank Park. Between those at the Phillies game, and the 76ers opening night crowd, the traffic will likely be mad!

Looking outside, and listening to the forecast, it will be very surprising if they play tonight. The weather is awful!

Mitch

 

[Cy/MiG]

Looks like it's going to come down to who wants it most in: NOVEMBER!

 

[Mitchell]

I'm glad they cancelled tonights game. The weather is awful. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Nah, no November hopefully. I'm hoping the game is over in say, 4 1-2 innings on October 29.

Mitch