Sunday, November 01, 2009

2009 World Series: Tough To Get A Handle On

Three games in, I can't really get a feel for this year's World Series yet. The Phillies looked so dominating in Game 1 (which they won 6-1); and then, after losing a close Game 2 (3-1), they came out guns a-blazing once the series moved to their home field last night. They jumped to a 3-0 lead in the 1st and looked poised to add more... except that they didn't, and then the Yankees scored the next 6 runs, and eventually posted a fairly convincing 8-5 win.

So now the series sits at 2-1 in favour of the Yankees. Each team has had the home field advantage snatched away from them (the Yankees, after Game 1, and the Phillies, after losing their first of three at home, last night). Each team has had at least one impressive pitching performance (Cliff Lee in Game 1 for Philadelphia, AJ Burnett in Game 2 for New York). So what's really going to decide this series? Will it be a battle of sluggers, waged by the teams with the two highest home run totals for 2009? Or is the team that can field the best pitcher in the critical game going to take the trophy?

At this point, I can't see any clear favourite. Obviously tonight's game is pivotal, as the difference between a Yankees team up 3-1 or a series tied 2-2 is all the difference in the world.

No comments: