Western Herald World Series predictions

By Mark Rudi
Sports Editor

For the time since 2003, the New York Yankees are in the World Series and they’re up against the defending world champions in the Philadelphia Phillies.
Cliff Lee has been amazing for the Phillies since we was picked up in July and the Phillies have got in behind a good productive offense with guys like Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley. But in the end, I think the Yankees are too much with CC Sabathia and Alex Rodrguez, who has putting up video game like numbers in the playoffs.
Yankees in six.

Mike Feld
Western Herald

In one of the most intriguing fall classic matchups in recent history, the 26‑time world champion New York Yankees square off with the Philadelphia Phillies, a franchise with more losses than any professional sports team.
Don’t let that fool you, though. The defending champs have talent, experience, chemistry and know‑how when it comes to this matchup.
While the Yankees have received a huge postseason boost from Alex Rodriguez, first baseman Mark Teixeira‑‑a big reason why the Yanks are here‑‑has not shown up.
Add that to the question marks at the back end of New York’s rotation, and it looks as if the Fightin’ Phils will once again be the champions of baseball.
Phillies in five.

Adam Debrowski
Western Herald

The Phillies have a pretty hefty pitching lineup that will slow New
York’s offense, but AJ Burnett, CC Sabathia, Andy Pettite, and Mariano Rivera will be too much
for the defending champs.
Yankees in six.

Adam Fox
Copy Editor

A chance to pitch in the World Series — Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia have been waiting their whole lives for this. They suffered through their time in Cleveland, and still, both managed to win Cy Youngs. When the lights come up in the new Yankee Stadium, they’ll both be ready, and each will pitch well against two very good hitting teams.
It won’t be the aces that win the series for either of these teams though, it will be the supporting casts. AJ Burnett has never been here, look for Philly to get to him early when he’s on the mound, and Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes won’t be much help out of the pen for New York against the Philly bats (Mariano Rivera is a different story — he’ll be solid). Andy Petite and Pedro Martinez will both pitch well — they’re experienced and understand what to do and how to do it in big games.
As far as hitting goes, both these teams will get their hits when they need them — it will be an exciting series without question.
That leaves Cole Hamels. Last year’s hero relegated to the game three starter when the series heads back to Philly. If you don’t think Hamels has a chip on his shoulder, think again. He has struggled this year, got off to a slow start, and hasn’t been very good in the playoffs (11 earned runs in three starts) — but it won’t matter.
He might not be the MVP this year, but he’ll be the difference in the series. Lee gets one win, Martinez another, it doesn’t matter when or where they come, but they will come. Hamels gets 2 in dominating fashion.
Phillies in six.

Jon Stonehouse
Managing Editor

Granted, this isn’t the most exciting World Series ever but it is kind of nice to see two classic east coast teams slug it out.  I was really rooting for the Los Angeles Dodgers but I at least have to be thankful they eliminated the St. Louis Cardinals. It will be a long time before any Detroit fan is at ease with St. Louis and what happened in 2006.
Alex Rodriguez is actually making contact with the ball and then some as his batting average has skyrocketed in the postseason. At the same time the Phillies pitching has been and is pretty strong. Hopefully it can match the Yankees’ CC Sebathia. I’ve got a bad feeling about New York and their ability to potentially dominate this series. It’ll be a knock-down drag-out series so hopefully Philadelphia is able to pull it out.
Phillies in seven.

Roger Sievers
Western Herald

The New York Yankees have proved so far this post‑season that they are the Yankees teams of old. (With a little help from the umpires here and there). Regardless, the Bronx Bombers led by Alex Rodriguez who has been on fire this post‑season and Kalamazoo native Derek Jeter being the glue that holds them all together have been out to beat the competition.
As much as I would like to see the Philadelphia Phillies pull off the upset I just don’t see it happening.
Yankees in six.

Chris Willis
Western Herald

As an avid fanatic of the New York Yankees, this pick is a pleasure to make but not without rationale. The Yankees seem to be a team of desti‑NY. Alex Rodriguez got two monkeys off his back this year. One in the preseason with his steroid admission, and the other with a dominant playoff performance that the made many naysayers forget his previous Octobers in the Bronx.
The Yankees will win the series in 6 games. I honestly believe they will end it in 5, but as a fan I want the Bombers to que up Sinatra’s “New York, New York” in the Bronx. Of the four Fall Classic titles won by the quad, (Jeter, Posada, Pettitte, Rivera) none were clinched in New York. With the Phillies returning to the World Series as reigning champs, you gotta give them two games, so I did.
Yankees in six.

Katrina Murphy
Western Herald

I’ve been a Yankees fan for as long as I can remember, so my prediction for the World Series?  Yanks all the way.
Not only do they have the home field advantage but Rodriguez, Jeter and Sabathia have been solid so far.  Plus, the Yankees have a better bullpen compared to the Phillies.
Yankees in five.

Kristen Vermetten
Western Herald

Steroids and gum chewing aside, baseball is an all american sport. Like all the sports clueless, I have no idea what is significant on Oct. 28. But for baseball players and fans alike, Oct. 28 is  the pivotal moment that cumulates at the end of every ball season, the World Series. This year the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies will meet in New Jersey to battle for the championship title. The Garden State fans are divided evenly, hushing any home advantage rumors. So, who will swing the hardest, throw the fastest and catch every fly ball? This year it seems as though fate is on the Phillies side.
They have been referred to as the “destiny team” this season with the powerful group of rookies and returning leaders playing consistently in sync.
The all star first baseman and batter, Ryan Howard, has been improving the odds for the Phillies as well. Although the Yankees have a handful of successful players representing New York, I know more about Alex Rodriguez’s love life than his batting average and I don’t think that will stop the Phillies from gaining the championship trophy. The teams will clash and the competition will be fierce, but nothing can stop the Phillies this season.
Phillies in seven.

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