World Series Mini-Preview

I'd love to take a very long crack at breaking down this series but unfortunately I am working on a huge client proposal right now (real job getting in the way again) and can only give you this:

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Philadelphia Phillies

This is an interesting series because I don't think either team is being taken as seriously as they should be. The Rays ripped through a brutally tough division than won a Game 7 against Boston nobody thought they would win. The Phillies won their division with a stacked lineup and everyone just figured the Mets choked again. Then they beat the Dodgers easily and everyone said the Dodgers stunk even though the killed the choking Cubs.

Both these teams have great top of the orders. Right now Upton and Longoria are every bit as hit, actually hotter than Burrell and Howard because Howard has not done much this post-season. And the Rollins-Utley combo is better at the top of the order than the Rays. But the Rays have better starting pitching than the Phils and better defense in the outfield. The Rays lack of a designated closer doesn't matter because they can keep rolling David Price or Grant Balfour out to finish games.

Rays in 6