Big League Stew - MLB

As tonight's Game 1 approaches, the three main Big League Stewards make their picks. State your own position in the comment section below. 

'Duk: Back at the start of the postseason, I thought in my mind that we should do some sort of prediction post. I also thought at the time that I would pick the Phillies over the Yankees in six games, pleasing a Philadelphia fan base that has often been quite angry with me. Long story short, I got caught up with other posts and no one but a few random radio hosts were subjected to my genius forecasting (my only misstep currently being the Cards over the Dodgers in four games).  

At any rate, I am now going to make my Phillies in six prediction official in terms of The Stew (considering I picked the Rays last season, be afraid Fightins', be very afraid). Though the Yankees have impressed over the first two rounds, the Phillies have also not done anything to shake me off my initial hunch that they'll become Philadelphia's version of The Big Red Machine. Maybe it's just the Cheez Whiz talking, but I believe that Chase Utley(notes), Ryan Howard(notes) and Joe Girardi have the power to stage another memorable parade in Philly. Phillies in six. 

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Dave Brown: If the Series comes down to which former Cleveland Indians ace left-hander pitches best, then CC Sabathia(notes) will be the hardest to beat a third time.

If it comes down to pitching changes, you have to like Joe Girardi's frequency, though Charlie Manuel's cadences (his voice and gait) are plucky.

If it comes down to who puts more product in their hair, the Phillies will sweep behind Pedro Martinez(notes) and Chase Utley. A-Rod's highlights and Nick Swisher's(notes) unpredictability can't compare.

If it comes down to let-off-the-roster backup catchers whose names most sound like a Renaissance painter, the Yankees and Francisco Cervelli(notes) won't let the series return to NY.

If it comes down to white pinch runners, the Yankees' Brett Gardner(notes) proved his superiority in the ALCS against Reggie Willits(notes).

If it comes down to how many relievers are from Spring Valley, Ill. (pop. 5,400), small-town heroes Chad Durbin(notes) and J.A. Happ(notes) will show they can make it anywhere.

If it comes down to bloodlines, the Yankees win in seven thanks to Nick Swisher and papa Steve Swisher, along with Jerry Hairston Jr.(notes) — whose father, grandfather and uncle all played in the majors, too. (The combination of Jayson Werth's(notes) uncle Dick Schofield, grampa Ducky Schofield and mother Kim Schofield-Werth tried gallantly.)

If it comes down to knowing how to handle a rough New York crowd, Chase Utley knows what to do.

Add it all up, and I agree with Jimmy Rollins(notes), plus two games. Phillies in seven.

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Alex Remington: The Yankees haven't won a World Series since the last millenium, but they haven't had a team this good in a long time, either. While the Angels were busy throwing the ball all over the field, the Yankees brandished solid starting pitching, a thunderous offense, and the always-frightening Mariano Rivera(notes). Opposite them, the Phillies have a good offense and defense, but their rotation's a question mark after Cliff Lee(notes), and their bullpen is a question mark after Ryan Madson(notes). Of the biggest offensive stars, Ryan Howard and Alex Rodriguez(notes) have both been incredibly hot this postseason, but Howard's not as technically sound a hitter as A-Rod. Anything's possible in a short series — the Phillies have an offense capable of lighting anyone up, and whenever Cliff Lee's on the mound he's a good bet to win -- so I don't think this will be anything like a rout. But the Yankees are deeper both in pitching and in offense, and in the end, I expect the best team will win. Yankees in seven.

Those are our World Series opinions, which team are you picking?

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73 Comments

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  1. TKO
    1. Posted by TKO Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:17 pm EDT

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    Cubs....oh wait...never mind. I'll take the Yankees.
  2. Tim S
    2. Posted by Tim S Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:30 pm EDT

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    Go phils
  3. flyersmikey
    3. Posted by flyersmikey Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:30 pm EDT

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    its nice to see that tonya harding is getting her phillies gear. Im going with j-roll Phillies in 5
  4. zacand14
    4. Posted by zacand14 Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:32 pm EDT

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    I like Phillies in 6. Id say Phillies in 4 or 5 if Jesus Christ Romero was healthy. He is great at getting a few important outs late in playoff games. Last years Phillies and past Twins teams took great advantage of having JC in the pen.
  5. Jose
    5. Posted by Jose Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:38 pm EDT

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    i'll go with the yanks !
  6. PhilipB
    6. Posted by PhilipB Wed Oct 28, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    Here is my unbiased opinion, i have not grown up near either city so here it goes:
    Phillies have a huge edge in scoring in the Playoffs, the Yankees havent faced as tough as a team scoring wise as the Phillies. With that said, the Yankees have a slight edge in pitching but they have a tougher test against the Phillies lineup then do the Phillies pitchers against the Yankees. Reason being, the ENTIRE Phillies lineup as been dangerous this postseason while the Yankees lineup has struggles up unitl the end of the ALCS. I am a huge baseball fan and have been watching baseball for over 30 years and have not missed a World Series. If it goes seven, expect a nail-biter that could go either way. My perdiction: Phillies will win in 6, unless Hamels comes alive, then they can win it in 5. They just have what it takes. What do you guys think? hold the bias!
  7. Bryan V
    7. Posted by Bryan V Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:03 pm EDT

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    Both lineups are great but despite some stumbles, the Yankees have a far, far better bullpen. In a seven game series, bullpens are huge.
    Yanks in 5.
  8. tonyarob
    8. Posted by tonyarob Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:03 pm EDT

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    Phils in 5.
  9. James S
    9. Posted by James S Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:15 pm EDT

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    New Yankees Stadium, you know ML Baseball already had this planned. I predict a salary cap sport one day, like the three other major sports have, so All Teams and Their Fans can share in the competition, and not just a select few rich buyers.
  10. Erin
    10. Posted by Erin Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:17 pm EDT

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    Yankees in 2 . . . wait they can't do that? Then Phillies in 6.
  11. flyersmikey
    11. Posted by flyersmikey Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:22 pm EDT

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    Bryan V @8- a far far better bullpen??? besides Mariano who else do they have? The Phillies will kill the middle of that bullpen so i guess C,C will have to throw 175 pitches to get to the hammer if its still close
  12. Bryan V
    12. Posted by Bryan V Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:26 pm EDT

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    Here we go with the "you bought it" garbage. Tell that to the 2008 Rays. How come no one ever accused the 2001 Diamondbacks of buying it?? Or the '97 Marlins?? The game is won and lost between the lines, people.
    And it's better than having cheap owners who horde as much cash for themselves as they can. The Yanks have won here and there for almost 100 years, which means generations of fans, which means tons of ticket and merchandise sales, which means MONEY. Deal with it.
    And as much as everyone hates the Yankees, it's funny, when they are on the road the attendance in every city spikes to its highest point of the season. Before the Angels-Yankees series everyone was shouting "Yanks stink, Angels own them!!" When they lost it was "yeah, you bought it! and the umps favored you!"
    let's just sit back and watch the best two teams fight it out, and agree that whoever wins this will truly deserve it. PLAY BALL.
  13. yankeesfan
    13. Posted by yankeesfan Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:26 pm EDT

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    Yanks in 6 games. The yankees are the better team. I have talked to 10 of my friends who are all die hard phillies fans they all agree with me. The yankees cannot be beaten, Lidge is gonna screw up, blowing some key games for them.
  14. Bryan V
    14. Posted by Bryan V Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:29 pm EDT

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    hey puckhead (ha!), despite a rough ALCS, Hughes has been amazing all year in the 8th. Aceves in the bullpen had 10 wins and came up huge, Joba out of the bullpen is much stronger, Robertson led the leage in K's per 9, Coke was able to beat the best lefties in the league for most of the year.
    And the difference between the talent and reliability of Mariano vs. Lidge is like the grand canyon, despite Lidge not blowing any saves yet this postseason, he's blown both save opportunities against the Yankees this year. yanks in 5.
  15. flyersmikey
    15. Posted by flyersmikey Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:30 pm EDT

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    Yankeesfan i really doubt that you have 10 friends and if you did they would leave you locked in a dumpster in north philly.
  16. flyersmikey
    16. Posted by flyersmikey Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:37 pm EDT

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    Bryan V. you have to admit the the regular season stats dont mean chit . And yes i will give you the slam dunk that Mariano is better than lidge but please the rest of what you gave me you can have them plus world series pressure is different than an august 14th game against the royals. Plus Joba is just another hard thrower like broxton and we know what the phillies did to him
  17. yankeesfan
    17. Posted by yankeesfan Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:46 pm EDT

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    o ight so when the phillies lose we'll see the last one who is laughing
  18. The Unsilent Majority
    18. Posted by The Unsilent Majority Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:53 pm EDT

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    Glad to see Dave Brown's prediction is based on something other than poor humor.
  19. RaymondGuy
    19. Posted by RaymondGuy Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:53 pm EDT

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    Buying Official MLB gear is abetting cheats, felons and basically a tiny group of people that play you for fools.
    * Help Support Steinbrenner's payoff to A-Tard *
  20. Elaine
    20. Posted by Elaine Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:55 pm EDT

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    Are you kidding?! phillies in 5.
  21. Kate
    21. Posted by Kate Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:58 pm EDT

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    Love the support, Duk, but we don't need another jinx. Come on, man!
  22. Bryan V
    22. Posted by Bryan V Wed Oct 28, 2009 6:02 pm EDT

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    I don't think players on either team care if they're favorites or underdogs, and as a Yankee fan i don't either. It's a great matchup. I think Cole Hamels will be key, if he doesn't turn it around I think the Phils are in trouble. Blanton's numbers against the Yanks are horrrrrrrrible and Pedro is 0-2 5.93 in his last 6 starts against the Yanks. Playoffs are a whole new ballgame, but the Yankees will be ready for Pedro.
  23. oms602
    23. Posted by oms602 Wed Oct 28, 2009 6:33 pm EDT

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    Phillies in six
  24. M.
    24. Posted by M. Wed Oct 28, 2009 6:43 pm EDT

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    YANKEES all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  25. vetteman
    25. Posted by vetteman Wed Oct 28, 2009 6:47 pm EDT

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    Yanks in six

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