Your CommentComments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.— Michael 17. October 22, 2009 1:33 pmLink Didnt this same Idiot sports writer say this about the Dodgers BEATING the phillies in NLCS?“But the roster’s soft underbelly quickly reveals itself after that: Carlos Ruiz and Pedro Feliz are little more than role players, and the bullpen is notoriously shaky (despite Brad Lidge’s strong postseason so far).”The 2009 National League Championship Series was supposed to be a drawn-out battle between two strong and well-matched foes, but it turned out to be nothing more than a (re)coronation. The Philadelphia Phillies secured their status as the undisputed class of the National League by heading to the World Series for the second straight year, making them the first team to win consecutive pennants since the Yankees in 2000 and 2001. — Paul Kramer 12. October 22, 2009 12:20 pmLink — Drew 13. October 22, 2009 12:20 pmLink Phillies’ offensive lineup looked formidable when they were faced with Dodgers miserable pitching, game3 and 5.But It clearly remains to be seen if they face Sabathia, Burnett and Pettite and of course strong Yankee bullpen.Being a Yankee fan I think this is going to be a good seriesand that I like Yankees’ chance of 27th coronation.ditto drew you ruiz , you need to pay more attention before writing articles it seems and not taking anything away from your yankees but you seem to overlook as you see fit , the ranking of the four bullpens in the championship round as far as era , 1) dodgers ….2and 2A yankees phillies tied with the angels a distant fourth , the phillie bullpen problems was lidge blowing saves not so much with the middle reliefEvidently, without his “metrics”, this guy doesn’t have much to say that’s particularly illuminating or insightful. And I happen to be a Yankees fan.At the very least. the Phillies will have nationwide fan support. If if NY can’t bear to respect us there are far more Yankee haters + Phillies fans combined than all the classless Yankee fans.All that said, the odds of back-to-back ticker-tape parades in Philadelphia are daunting. While the Angels are, of course, capable of sweeping the final three games of the American League Championship Series, Baseball Prospectus sees them as a 19-to-1 underdog, meaning that an I-95 (or New Jersey Turnpike) Series is likely. And although the Phillies have handled their opponents with surprising ease so far, the Bronx Bombers are far more fearsome than the Rockies or the Dodgers.I agree the Yankees should be the favorites because of their line up, home field advantage and CC. But it’s a close match up with the way Lee is pitching, and he should get three starts. If he continues to pitch like he has been in the playoffs and the Phillies can somehow manage to take game 1, then anything can happen. Just hope that A Rod wilts again under the bright lights. Either way I think the best two teams are headed for a great series. No other team in the NL has a line up that comes close to matching the Yankees. If the Phillies stay loose and patient at the plate, I like their chances for a repeat in 7.— WXDAVID 20. October 22, 2009 1:46 pmLink Oh well. At least I have a week to puzzle over this conundrum.The Yankees can match the Phillies star for star, but they run much deeper, with a lineup that is at least average at every slot (including designated hitter), and a shutdown relief corps of Mariano Rivera, Phil Hughes and potentially Joba Chamberlain. The Yankees’ decision to wait for C.C. Sabathia’s free agency rather than trade for Johan Santana earlier makes them an even more imposing postseason team, since the burly Sabathia is one of the few modern pitchers who seems comfortable pitching on short rest.But the roster’s soft underbelly quickly reveals itself after that: Carlos Ruiz and Pedro Feliz are little more than role players, and the bullpen is notoriously shaky (despite Brad Lidge’s strong postseason so far). Phillies didn’t mind CC on short rest last year either. He didn’t make it out of the 4th inning.blah, blah, blah. The Yankees haven’t won anything in nearly a decade, despite being the Best Team Money Can Buy year after year. Last time i checked, the Phillies were the defending champions. I love how Yankees fans (who are notoriously fair-weathered) delusionally think the world revolves around them. It doesnt. You can add CC, you can can Texiara, you can add Burnett, you can add all the superstars you want. But you can’t add heart, grit and determination. Get some homegrown players. Phils in six. Period. Deal with, Yankee homers and NY media.Not much real baseball analysis here, Just speculation on the obvious features of both teams and their histories. I’d rather hear; e.g., how Sabaitha will pitch differently,how either pitching staff can induce grounders, whether Hamels can turn it around (did anyone notice Cole’s fastbal wasn’t mid-90s last night?)., why Utley is taking so many called strikes, etc. I can go down to the barber shop and get the same insight as this article.Phillies fans are trying too hard to channel inner Rodney Dangerfield. Relax guys. One stupid article doesn’t mean you are being taken lightly.— Harry 3. October 22, 2009 11:28 amLink — calhouri 5. October 22, 2009 11:39 amLink It will be a pleasure kicking your arrogant butts.Hahahah it’s funny to see all the little Phillies fans get riled up. It’s cute.— Chris 9. October 22, 2009 11:48 amLink -->I THINK the yankees are a SLIGHTLY Better team. But this isnt going to be a cake walk . The Phillies to have that special “something” when he never mentiond that the Phils and NYY DID play in MAY of 2009 and the phillies took of 3 and almost swept the Yankees– WITHOUT cliff Lee…I bet you that yankee players are probably not even thinkiing about you right now. They are likely giving their attention to Game 5. One other important stat: when you see the highlights of the Yankees this postseason it is the starting pitching (with the exception of A-Rod) that is featured over and over again.Challenges loom for the Yankees as well – if they even make it to the World Series (which, I do think they will). Have you been watching the NLCS? Let’s parse the following paragraph, shall we?Meh. The Yanks are imposing. Of course they are. They have more than $1 billion in salary commitments to 10 players alone.Both Ruiz and Feliz have hit homers in the series. Ruiz hit a 3-run homer in game one and was 5 for 10 in the series, at least up to his last at bat. Feliz went deep last night. If that’s the bottom of the order, I’ll take that any day of the week. Ruiz also scored the winning run in game four, booking it from first base on a double – there wasn’t even a play at the plate. you have to burst out laughing. Oh, it’s so cute to watch rabid Phillies fans get all worked up about a statistical argument, as if they’re love of their team could overcome the numbers. Adorable.The Philleis have been underestimated throughout the playoffs. Ruiz a “role player”? Maybe you missed his performance in the last 9 games.What the? “Soft underbelly”? You kidding me? As a Mets fan it pains me to admit it, but the Phillies lineup runs as deep as the ocean. Ruiz just a role player? Check the stats next time you write an article — the guy is hitting .346 in the postseason. He is the definition of clutch. When I perpetually root against them (and am perpetually disappointed) probably the only hitter that doesn’t make me nervous when he comes to the plate, besides the pitcher, is Feliz, and even he hit a home run last night. I see both teams as pretty evenly matched going into the WS, with the Yankees *maybe* having the edge on pitching, mainly because of a guy named Mariano Rivera.Philliesfan09,That said, a Yankees-Phils World Series is pretty much this Mets fan’s worst nightmare. Who do I root for? There’s no answer! It’s like Hitler vs. Satan!No doubt – Yanks will beat the Phils and parade through the city of NY once again. The Phils are a very good team, but so are the Yanks this year and we all know that pitching beats everything this time of year. Yanks pitching is FAR superior to Phils pitching – especially of late – and that will win the series for them. Lineups are pretty even, though the Yanks do have a stronger bottom third and certainly a stronger bench. Who is even going to DH for the Phils – Matt Stairs?? Please.I wouldn’t underestimate the Phils’ bullpen either. Happ (National League Rookie of the Year) and Park have been excellent throughout the season. Lidge has been perfect in the post season. Durbin seems to be coming into his own as well. Besides, when Lee and Martinez are pitching, you might not even need to go to the bullpen.— Amanda 11. October 22, 2009 12:14 pmLink — Greg 18. October 22, 2009 1:40 pmLink Your E-mail Required, will not be published— john 24. October 22, 2009 2:13 pmLink So hopefully see you next wednesday. Chill out until then.— kevin h 14. October 22, 2009 12:35 pmLink I can’t wait until Lidge has to face the Yankee lineup. I just hope that A-Rod slams a ball to Pedro’s head (if he even has the guts to face the Yankees – wouldn’t be surprised if he got “sick” before the series or something to avoid it).— eddie 10. October 22, 2009 11:57 amLink — NS 22. October 22, 2009 2:06 pmLink