For the first time in 15 years
the Phillies are heading to the
World Series, battling with the
Tampa Bay Rays. How do the
Phils match up against them?
The Phillies will face the Rays,
who are young, tough team who
came out of nowhere this year to
win the AL East. They won 97
games in a division that included
not only the Red Sox but the
Yankees as well.
The Phillies have been playing
with confidence and poise. They
have the best bullpen in baseball.
Cole Hamels has been the best
pitcher in the post season and
with all the days off the Phillies
can have him pitch in three possible
games. With Brett Myers
going in two other games, their
starting staff is set up perfectly.
The true strength of the Rays is
the middle of their lineup. Right
now, they are hitting off the
charts. Their two through five
hitters: BJ Upton, Carlos Pena,
Evan Longoria and Carl
Crawford, are every bit as scary
as the Phillies sluggers.
It will definitely be an exciting
World Series.
I give the edge to the Phillies. If
they get the brilliant starts out of
Hamels and Myers that they’ve
gotten to this point, I see them
coming out victorious.
Their bullpen is best for closing
out games. Both teams possess
fantastic lineups. But in the
postseason, pitching is everything.
Bucks students seem to think
the Phils have a chance.
Student Christopher Palmer
said, “I’m not sure if they will
win, but this is the farthest that
they’ve gotten in 15 years. They
have a good chance against
Tampa I think, because they
have little experience, being one
of the newest teams in the MLB,
if Tampa beats the Red Sox then
I believe there will be a 50/50
chance for a win. Philadelphia
and the Phillies need this, they
haven’t won a Series in 30 years
(1980), and they could use the
motivational spirit. In terms of
their arsenal, they have Jimmy
Rollins, and Victorino; with all of
his RBIs and catches in those last
2 games especially.”
Student Eli Ianacone said, “I
am stoked; I never got to see the
Phillies get to the World Series
because I was only 5 last time it
happened. This is the World
Series of my life, the Phillies we
grew up with, and got to know. I
got to know the players of this
generation from watching them
my whole life. I think this is
going to be one of the most
intense series yet.”