Yankees and Phillies sure to be a true fall "classic"

New York and Philadelphia.

Both teams have very potent offenses and strong starting rotations. The X-factor in this series? I say Mariano Rivera. I'll get to that though, lets compare each player by position.

Catcher: Jorge Posada vs Carlos Ruiz.

Posada has already played in five world series. Ruiz doesn't have anywhere near the post-season experience. Ruiz is also only a career .246 hitter, compared to Posada who is a career .277 hitter. Posada is not feared behind the plate, as he let more than 70% of runners steal safely this season. Ruiz isn't much more of a defensive guru either though, so defensively they cancel each other out. Posada has the experience and still has some pop in his bat.

Result: Jorge Posada

First base: Mark Teixeira vs. Ryan Howard.

Coin toss anyone? Both players were probably the MVPs of their teams during the regular season. Howard has swung a hot bat this post-season, while Teixeira has been in a bit of a slump thus far in the playoffs, as hes only batting .205. Howard also has a tendency of striking out a lot more than Tex does. The biggest difference between the two though is their defensive abilities. Tex is a gold glove first baseman and is one of the best, if not the best, defensive first baseman in all of baseball. Texieiras bat will warm up eventually, and because of his defensive abilities, I'm taking Tex.

Result: Mark Teixera

Second Base: Robinson Cano vs. Chase Utley.

Utley is one of the centerpieces of the Phillies lineup. He's a left-handed power hitting second baseman with a good glove and can hit for average too. Cano is a very capable player too though. His glove is a little shaky at times, but hes a guy that can hit for a high average and hit 25 bombs or so in a season. Utley is recognized as perhaps the best second baseman in the game though. I'm taking Chase.

Result: Chase Utley

Third Base: Alex Rodriguez vs. Pedro Feliz.

This one is simple. Alex Rodriguez is one of the best hitters of his generation, and by the time he retires, could be not only the all time home-run champion, but the best player to ever play the game. He has also snapped out of his post-season slump which he suffered from in the past, making him an even more viable threat when he steps to the plate. No knock on Feliz though, he is a talented ball player who is a reliable every day third baseman, but hes no A-Rod.

Result: Alex Rodriguez

Shortstop: Derek Jeter vs. Jimmy Rollins

The captain vs the 2007 NL MVP. Jimmy Rollins is one of the best shortstops in the game today. He is part of one of the best middle infield combinations in all of baseball, and is the thrid member of the Phillies "big three" which includes Howard and Utley as well. Rollins played absolutely terrible through the first half of the season though, as he was batting only .195 from the leadoff position towards the end of June. He did turn things around a bit in the second half, but when Rollins isn't hitting, that Phillies offense just isn't the same. Jeter on the other hand is a legitimate MVP candidate for this season, and is known widely as one of the most clutch players in all of baseball. If New York is going to win this series, the modern day Mr. Yankee will play a big role in that accomplishment.

Result: Derek Jeter

Outfield: Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera, Nick Swisher vs. Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth.

Johnny Damon is a reliable two hitter behind Jeter in the lineup, and showed he has some power this past season along with his speed. He is a defensive liability as I'm pretty sure a kid I went to high school with (I was a sophomore when he was a senior) has a stronger arm than Damon. No joke. Cabrera has developed in to a reliable player in center field though. Swisher has struggled for most othe post-season and is a low average hitter with a little bit of home run power. No player in this outfield is terrific defensively, as they are all pretty much average at best.

On the other hand, Ibanez is coming off one of the best seasons of his career (He played so well, he was accused of steroid use by an online blogger!). Victorino just made the all star team for the first time this year. He also led the majors in 2009 with 13 triples this past season, making his nickname "The Flyin' Hawaiian" very appropriate. Jayson Werth is also one of my favorite players to watch. Hes a hustle player who can hit big bombs (I still can't forget his home run at Toronto this past season, that ball went like 3 decks up!). As a whole, everyone in the outfield has a very solid arm, especially Werth. I like this trio a lot.

Result: Ibanez, Victorino, Werth

Starting Pitching: C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Petitte vs. Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Pedro Martinez.

C.C. had a Cy Young type season. He proved to be worth every dollar the Yankees signed him for, as he has carried this pitching staff through out not only the regular season, but has dominated in the post-season as well. Burnett looks like he could be a Cy Young award winner at times, because he certainly has the stuff, but for whatever reason, he falters at times. He is incosistent but most of the time can leave the game and have the Yankees in a position to win. But when he is "on", watch out. Petitte is the opposite of Burnett and perhaps the definition of consistency. Over his career, Andy has never been known for his blazing fastball, incredible off-speed or anything like that, but he has suceeded because he understands where to pitch batters and understands the game. He also, as a lefty, has one of the best pick-off moves you'll ever see. Whenever he is on the mound, the Yankees have to be feeling confident.

Cliff Lee. Boy can he flat out pitch. The Phillies tried to acquire Halladay at the trade deadline, but Cliff Lee has been a decent second option. Yeah, some second option. Cliff Lee is the best pitcher in the game right now if you ask me. If there is one pitcher than can not only slow down, but SHUT down the Yankees offense, its Lee. Without the acquisition of Lee, I'm not so sure the Phillies make it back to the World Series. Cole Hamels was the star of the rotation during last years World Series run by Philly, but hasn't been the same since. He hasn't had the same stuff he had last year and seems to have lost some confidence. If he can return to the form he was at last October, the Phillies chances at winning the series improve vastly. And who would have ever thought that we would see Pedro pitch in Yankee Stadium again? Its not the Yankee Stadium Pedro is used to, but this is going to be entertaining if nothing else. He isn't anywhere near the same pitcher he was 10 years ago, and who can blame him. Thats what age does. All he has to do is keep the Yankees at bay though, and give the offense a shot. Otherwise, get ready for the "Who's your daddy?" chants from New York fans.

Lets see, Lee and C.C. cancel eachother out. Burnett and Hamels both being inconsistent cancel out, and in a match-up, I would take Petitte over Pedro. Nod goes to New York.

Result: Sabathia, Burnett, Petitte

Bullpen: Too many to be named vs. Too many to be named.

Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and company are more feared coming out of the 'pen than the Phillies 'pen. Ryan Madson throws hard and J.A. Happ is one of the best young pitchers in baseball, but with the way Phil and Joba have been pitching this season, how can you pick against them? They got roughed up a bit agaisnt the Angels, but I expect big things from the Yankees 'pen this series.

Result :Yankees bullpen

Closer: Mariano Rivera vs. Brad Lidge.

This macth-up is pretty simple as well. Mo is the best closer of all time and one of the best post-season performers of all time. Would you believe he gave up his first earned run at home in the post-season in game 6 against LAA? Yeah, his first earned run ever at home given up. The guy still has it and he is in his late thirties. Lidge on the other hand is a mess. Last year it seemed that he was finally back after being lights out for most of the year. This year, his regular season ERa was over 7 and he has become unreliable. This is why I called Mo the X-factor earlier in this column. For most of the other match-ups, both teams match up pretty evenlyl. Ths is one matchup that the Yankees definitely have the upper hand in though. The Yankees are a very good come from behidn team, and Lidge better be on his game or the Yankees are going to be putting up some late game fireworks sooner or later.

Result: Mariano Rivera

Keep in mind though, none of this really means anything when it comes to the game itself. If the game was played on paper, the Yankees would seem the favorites. But as we have seen before (Giants vs. Patriots Superbowl), match-ups on paper don't tend to matter when you step on the field.

However, I have made my prediction. These are two very evenly matched teams, but I like the Yankees in this series.

Yankees win the series in 7. Here comes World Series ring #27, and another trophy for the boss, George Steinbrenner.

Wacky as always- An overview of Week 5 of the 2009 NFL season

If you were to tell me back during August that 5 weeks in to the NFL season, the Denver Broncos would be undefeated and the Cincinnati Bengals would be 4-1, I would have probably had you checked in to a mental institution.

Denver just beat New England, and proved to the world (myself included) that they certainly are for real. Josh McDaniels has to be feeling like he is on top of the world, after he beat his former boss and his former quarterback. I always though McDaniels would be a successful head coach in the NFL while he was with the Patriots, and when he got the job in Denver I liked the move by the Broncos front office. I just didn't think he would be this succesful, this soon. We all know that McDaniels is an offensive mastermind. He made Matt Cassel look like the second coming of Tom Brady last season and appears to be doing the same in Denver. Kyle Orton has been playing errorless free this season. He has thrown only one interception, and that was a bomb heaved up at the end of the second quarter that was picked off by Randy Moss. If Randy Moss is the only guy who has picked you off, you must not be doing too bad. While I'm impressed with Ortons play, the thing that surprises me about the Broncos is the D. Mike Nolan, the Broncos current defensive coordinator, had a head coaching stint in San Francisco that he was eventually fired from. Before that, Nolan was the defensive coordinator for the Ravens during the early to mid 2000's. He always had loads of talent to work with in Baltimore, but not somuch in Denver. However, the scheme Nolan runs is working as the Broncos have given up an average of 8.6 PPG. And we all though the Chargers were destined to win the division..

Jamarcus Russell needs to be benched in Oakland. His futile play at the quarterback position is absolutely horrid to watch. He throws off his back foot 90% of the time, locks in to recievers, doesn't look off coverage, and can read a defense about as well as I can read an essay typed in Wingdings font. This is where the Raiders made the mistake. Not the mistake of drafting Jamarcus (thats a whole different matter), but the mistake of cutting Jeff Garcia before the season. Hes undersized, his arm strength is below average, hes old, yada yada yada. Who cares. Point is the guy wins games. Had the Raiders kept Garcia around, they could possibly turn the season around if theyh threw him in to the starting lineup next week. Who knows. Maybe they would finish with 5-7 wins at least. For now, it doesn't look like the Raiders will win more than 3 games. Trent Dilfer said the Raiders are the worst football team he can ever remember seeing play. Scrap Jamarcus, trade up in the draft if needed, and draft Sam Bradford. I believe he is the next Peyton Manning. In 4-5 years, Bradford could be in the talks of Brady, Manning, etc. The Raiders have a history of awful drafting in the first round (Robert Gallery, Michael Huff, Jamarcus Russell, Darrius Heyward Bey etc.) Don't mess this one up Al, I don't know how much more Raider nation can take.

Quick Hits:

Did anyone forecast the Falcons putting up 45 points on Mike Singletarys niners in San Fran? I wouldn't want to be in that locker room post-game..

The Colts haven't skipped a beat following the loss of Tony Dungy at head coach. One reason: Peyton Manning. Hes a coach as well as a player on the field.

The Wildcat gets the best of everyone, even the Rex Ryan run Jets defense. Miami put up 31 points on a defense that looked lights out earlier this season.

When is Michael vick going to make an impact for the Eagles? My guess? Never.

Last, and certainly least, did anyone see the Browns @ Bills game? 6-3? If I was in the stands I would demand my money back. I watched the game while at work and almost threw up on the job. It staryted to just make me mad to see two teams play the game of football so poorly. I can't believe I am writing so much about a game that meant so little..

Fantasy advice of the week: Pick up every player possible on the Eagles, and play them. Philly plays at Oakland Sunday. Maybe Mike Vick proves me wrong and does make an impact. If he doesn't do it this week, then it may be never.

The wacky world of College Football

We're nearly half-way through the college football season, and the real BCS contenders are emerging, while other pretenders are beginning to take a back seat. Here is a rundown of college footballs top teams and how they did over the weekend.

Oh Pete Carroll. One week your team is being upset by Washington, who is coached by your former offensive coordinator Steve Sarkasian, and did I mention Washington went 0-12 in 2008? Yikes. And although USC couldn't handle Washington, they dominated #24 ranked Cal over the weekend by a score of 30-3. USC had their annual conference game letdown to Washington, now they will probably run the table from here on out, earn a Rose Bowl bid, and prove to be too fast and too atheltic for some Big Ten team. Typical.

Alabama continued to prove they aren't a team to be taken lightly. Nick Saban has this team rolling on all cylinders right now. Mark Ingram is a bruising tailback who is a big reason that Alabamas ground game is so effective. Alabama has rushed for over 1100 yards throughout five games. Thats a big help to first year starter Greg McElroy, who has played nearly error free throwing 9 TD's as to 1 INT. Alabama has a rough SEC schedule that they have yet to play, but the onyl real threat I see in the future is LSU. They do have to play Mississippi, South Carolina, and Auburn, but those are all games that Alabama should be able to win convincingly. My money would be on the Crimson Tide to run the table and put up a strong argument for a BCS national championship bid.

Ohio State continued their Big Ten dominance by beating lowly Indiana by 19 points. Terrelle Pryor is a hell of an athlete. However, with Michigan football playing the way they are (despite the loss in OT to rival Michigan State), I'm excited to see this matchup this year. Tate Forcier has been playing great for the Wolverines, but Ohio State has had Michigans number in recent memory. Last years game was a blowout from the start, but this year should be something special. It won't be like the #1 vs #2 matchup in 2007, but this should be a much better game than last years.

Quick note:

My National championship pick right now= #1 Florida vs #2 Alabama.

Tim Tebow is a college football god and is way too determined to let this team slip his senior year. Florida returned a ton of starters from last years national championship team, and if the way the way they have played so far is any indication of how they wil finish, they are a safe bet to make it back to the title game.

Alabama will get brownie points if they run the table against their SEC schedule. They still have to play some tough conference games, but even if they let one slip, they still can be in the argument for national championship contenders.

I'm out for now, time to watch some Monday Night Football tonight!