Combat

Reasons the Philadelphia Phillies will win the 2009 World Series

1. The New York Yankees used to be the New York Highlanders who used to be the Baltimore Orioles. Who’s been afraid of the Baltimore Orioles at any time in this century?
2. Speaking of the Baltimore Orioles – if the Phillies owe the New York Yankees a kick in the jimmy for thwarting us in 1950, we definitely owe the Baltimore Orioles a teabagging for 1983. So that’s two reasons to whip hell out of the Yankees across two different iterations of the team.
3. South Philly beats the South Bronx. I’m sick and tired of the Broadway vs. Broad Street comparison – the MFYs aren’t from New York, they’re from the Bronx. Hell, when the Phillies started playing baseball the Bronx wasn’t even part of New York City! What a pity, just like everyone else – except Brooklyn – the Yankees have no home borough pride and have to look wistfully across the river to Manhattan for validation.
4. For the first time in my memory the National League team has the clear advantage in the Designated Hitter position. Typically the NL team is at the monstrous disadvantage of expecting a season-long pinch hitter to jump in and be able to serve as the big bopper through the games in the AL park. This time, the Phillies can put a season-long big bat in the DH role and upgrade their defense at the same time. I expect big things from both Raul Ibanez and Ben Francisco tonight in New York.
5. At some point Sabathia and Rodriguez have to revert to their historical postseason form. You know, the one that has Rodriguez slapping balls out of gloves like a sissy and Sabathia giving up a nine pitch walk to Brett Myers. Eventually we all regress to the mean.
6. And if that statement is true then Brad Lidge will be unhittable, Cole Hamels will dominate, Cliff Lee will be Cliff Lee and Chase Utley will awaken. That’s a bright prospect.

“All right, let’s get ’em.”