Serious Business: The 2009 Fall Classic Preview

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: Despite showers in tonight's Bronx forecast, Ryan Howard likely savors the opportunity to explore Yankee Stadium's right-field porch. He remains more likely, though, to explore the opposite field more often. Jimmy Rollins has again partially atoned for a middling regular season with a laudable postseason effort, and he must find a way to reach base in the late innings, because the Phils' chance to defend will partly rest on the clutch hitting of the bottom of their order. Carlos Ruiz comes to mind; Joe Girardi will have no qualms about pitching around more established RBI men to face Ruiz in a critical spot. Cliff Lee should pitch well enough to win at least one of his battle royales with CC Sabathia; this is not to say he'll take a W in either Game 1 or Game 4. Charlie Manuel cannot afford to under-manage.

NEW YORK YANKEES: By the same token, Girardi cannot afford to over-manage, especially against either Chase Utley or Raul Ibanez. In the AL playoffs, against a self-destructive Angels club, Girardi's insistence on turning real life into a video game - wherein every sim pitcher will always be rested, healthy, and warmed up - turned out in the Yanks' favor. I've heard these nasty rumors about NYY's true plan of a "four-man rotation" featuring CC, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettite and Mariano Rivera. In a video game, that sounds awesome. In October and possibly November, not so much. But always save an arm, Mastah Chief Girardi, for the inevitable showdown with Matt Stairs, who in a past life would be a shoo-in pick to DH every AL game of this Series.

WHAT MCCARVER & BUCK WOULDN'T SEE COMING: A defensive gem by Pedro Feliz turning a game around; a defensive miscue by Robinson Cano affording an opportunity for Derek Jeter to look good on a subsequent play in the same inning; Alex Rodriguez cracking under the pressure of the Philly rowdies who, from the front rows, will use their words to insult Kate Hudson until A-Rod thinks she looks like Ruth Buzzi.

GAME 1 PREDICTION: Lee bends but does not break, leaving the Phillies with a chance to win. CC gives up at least one bomb but overall outshines him, and Rivera resoundingly shuts the door at the end. NEW YORK 4, PHILADELPHIA 2.