ThisIsACoolName
Member
It's a toss up, as far as I'm concerned.
Phillies-
The case for: They have a very powerful and potent offense. They're the kind of team that can sit back and wait for the three run homer, but they can also play "small ball". They're got a lot of weapons and cans score in a lot of ways, and they can knock opposing starters out of games relatively early. They have a rock solid bullpen, with a stud closer at the end. A lot of people will tell you that the single most important ingredient when building a championship team is a stud closer, and the Phillies have that: Lidge has recorded a save in every single opportunity this year. They've also got players like Cole Hamels (who was on fucking fire in the NLCS), Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins. They won the first two rounds relatively easily. The week off can be good for the pitchers.
The case against: They will have had a week off when they play tomorrow night. That can be poison to a baseball team, especially the lineup- which, correct me if I'm wrong was rather cold in the NLCS (aside from Shane Victorino). They're facing a much stronger team than they did in the previous two rounds, and for the first time they will not have home field advantage. The fact that they play in Philadelphia doesn't bode well, either.
Rays-
The case for: Another high powered, high energy offense that can score in a number of ways. They're the fastest team in the majors and (I believe) they play the best defense in the league. They've got some very good top-three starters with Scott Kazmir, James Shields and Matt Garza; and they can use David Price in relief. They're a young, mostly "home grown" team that has lost together for a long time, and now that they're winning, their team chemistry is a significant factor. They've got Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford and B.J. Upton. They've got home field, they fought tooth and nail to get this far and they are playing a Philadelphia based team that hasn't played in a week.
The case against: Their biggest weakness will be their middle relief. If their starters fail to go deep into games, they will be in trouble. Cole Hamels and Brad Lidge are pretty fucking good.
Phillies-
The case for: They have a very powerful and potent offense. They're the kind of team that can sit back and wait for the three run homer, but they can also play "small ball". They're got a lot of weapons and cans score in a lot of ways, and they can knock opposing starters out of games relatively early. They have a rock solid bullpen, with a stud closer at the end. A lot of people will tell you that the single most important ingredient when building a championship team is a stud closer, and the Phillies have that: Lidge has recorded a save in every single opportunity this year. They've also got players like Cole Hamels (who was on fucking fire in the NLCS), Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins. They won the first two rounds relatively easily. The week off can be good for the pitchers.
The case against: They will have had a week off when they play tomorrow night. That can be poison to a baseball team, especially the lineup- which, correct me if I'm wrong was rather cold in the NLCS (aside from Shane Victorino). They're facing a much stronger team than they did in the previous two rounds, and for the first time they will not have home field advantage. The fact that they play in Philadelphia doesn't bode well, either.
Rays-
The case for: Another high powered, high energy offense that can score in a number of ways. They're the fastest team in the majors and (I believe) they play the best defense in the league. They've got some very good top-three starters with Scott Kazmir, James Shields and Matt Garza; and they can use David Price in relief. They're a young, mostly "home grown" team that has lost together for a long time, and now that they're winning, their team chemistry is a significant factor. They've got Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford and B.J. Upton. They've got home field, they fought tooth and nail to get this far and they are playing a Philadelphia based team that hasn't played in a week.
The case against: Their biggest weakness will be their middle relief. If their starters fail to go deep into games, they will be in trouble. Cole Hamels and Brad Lidge are pretty fucking good.
...so that helps.
