All right, no jokes here - no shots at Philadelphia and its prickly fans, no jabs at New York and its heavily bankrolled self-importance.
No, this entry on the World Series will focus squarely on the teams themselves, Phillies and Yankees, because the potential is there for a true Fall Classic.
And baseball needs a classic. Not since 2003 has the Series even gone six games, and it hasn't gone to the limit since 2002. It just seems like, once momentum goes a team's way in a high-pressure setting like this, it just stays there. Weird - the World Series has become the lopsided affair the Super Bowl used to get ridiculed for being.
Maybe that all changes starting tonight, when Cliff Lee and CC Sabbathia, two ex-Cleveland aces (not that this Tribe fan is whimsical or anything), provide a Game 1 matchup as good as any since Game 7 in 2001, when Clemens and Schilling went at it.
Let's look at it, position by position...
1B - Mark Teixiera has the glove, Ryan Howard the big bat. Both will matter here. Push.
2B - Robinson Cano and Chase Utley both have terrific range, but Utley's bat is a bit more reliable. Slight edge to Philly.
SS - Derek Jeter has spent the equivalent of a full season just playing in post-season games. That's his lone edge over Jimmy Rollins, who has proven to be just as clutch.
3B - Pedro Feliz is solid. But it's been noticed that Alex Rodriguez has figured out October. Big edge to A-Rod.
LF - Whether it's Raul Ibanez or (due to the DH) Ben Francisco, the Phillies get a slight nod because Johnny Damon simply can't throw.
CF - The key here is that Shane Victorino ignites his teammates (and sometimes the other side, too), while Melky Cabrera, while good, does neither. Edge to the Flyin' Hawaiian.
RF - Nick Swisher is a trade-off - cold bat, great glove. Jayson Werth isn't as big on the defensive side, but he can rake. Small edge to Werth.
Catcher - Again, October experience weighs it for the Yanks, since Jorge Posada is a proven cornerstone. Not that Carlos Ruiz is a slacker, though.
Starting Pitchers - Sabbathia and Andy Pettitte are dependabale. So are Lee and Pedro Martinez. The mystery lies beyond - with A.J. Burnett and Cole Hamels both needing to prove themselves and mysteries surrounding possible fourth starters - Chad Gaudin? Joe Blanton? Thus, it's a push.
Bullpen - Each side has gone up-and-down with set-up men, from Hughes and Chamberlain to Happ and Madsen. Brad Lidge has redeemed a poor season with a flawless October. Yet it all comes back to Mariano Rivera. He's the best closer we've ever seen. Edge to the Sandman.
Managers - Maybe Joe Girardi uses the book too much, but he has loosened things up in the Bronx. And don't let the country talk fool you - Charlie Manuel knows how to handle players. Manuel gets the edge because he's won a ring as a skipper.
Add it all up, and you have....well, I might waffle a bit. Either it's the Phillies in six or the Yanks, but it has an equal chance of being something special. Even if it's on Fox.....
