Who will win the World Series?
Colin: I hate to say it (really, I do), but the Yankees are going to win their first World Series title since 2003.
This team is on a mission, and no one is getting in their way. Their rotation is solid, and with ace C.C. Sabathia throwing in game one, he could be ready to make three trips to the mound during the series, which is exactly what the Yankees wanted. Sabathia has been lights out so far this postseason, and with A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte looking pretty good, Joe Girardi has to feel good about his starting rotation.
The Yankees’ bullpen is okay, but knowing you have possibly the best closer in baseball history, Mariano Rivera, gives Girardi lots of leeway when choosing who to put in to spell his starters.
The big thing will be for the Yankee hitters to step up in big games, and with A-Rod having the best postseason of his career, there shouldn’t be too many fans worried about the Yankees batting in runs.
The World Series is also Derek Jeter’s time. He always seems to step up and have huge games when the Yanks need it the most, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him come out as the MVP. And if Mark Teixeira can step up, this offense could be unstoppable.
Yankees take the Phils down in six.
Sam: Both teams have prolific offenses and stellar pitching. Ryan Howard has proven himself to be a true playoff performer, while A-rod has done the same. C.C. Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Andy Pettitte have provided a valid source of innings, while Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and Pedro Martinez have too.
The Phillies, however, have the advantage. They have essentially the same team they did last year and know what it takes to win the World Series. I know Yankees like Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera have all been seen as true World Series veterans, but those guys have not won a title in nine seasons and cannot be considered Mr. Novembers anymore.
The Phillies, on the other hand, coming off of a World Series victory, are even better than they were last season. They have better pitching with the addition of Cliff Lee.
With Jayson Werth having emerged as one of the premier hitters in the league, he provides the Phillies offense with even more excitement than it already had, the Yankees pitching will have a tough time keeping the Phillies off of the base path.
The Phillies’ pen has come together nicely this post-season. Brad Lidge has shaken off his regular season woes and given Charlie Manuel confidence in him to close out the game.
My Prediction: Phillies in 7.
Which team will stay unbeaten longest?
Colin: Sam, it’s pretty obvious the Colts are going to go without a loss the longest, because they do this every season.
With Peyton Manning at the helm, this team hasn’t skipped a beat even after the loss of all-time leading receiver Marvin Harrison and revered coach Tony Dungy. Manning is tearing opposing defenses apart, using guys like Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon, who no one had heard of before the season, to pass for 1645 yards and 12 touchdowns through six games. The offensive line is also keeping Manning’s jersey clean, only allowing two sacks thus far.
The big thing that will help the Colts stay undefeated is their defense, which ranks second in the league right now. Under new defensive coordinator Larry Coyer, this unit has taken a turn in the right direction and is shutting down opposing offenses. Even though they are having trouble getting off the field on third down, the defense is making more than enough plays to get the Colts wins.
The Colts have tough games ahead of them in the coming weeks, but I don’t see them dropping a game until make a visit to Houston to face the Texans. By then, both Denver and New Orleans will have dropped games.
Sam: The Denver Broncos, the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints remain the only undefeated teams in the NFL, but if my calculations are correct, the Saints will remain as the lone undefeated team by time week 10 rolls around.
It is likely the Saints will go undefeated until week 12 when they could possibly get tripped up by the New England Patriots. Fortunately for the Saints, the other two undefeated teams will have already lost by that time.
As much as I love the Cinderella story of the Denver Broncos, they will not go unblemished for much longer. In the next couple of weeks the Broncos will play the Ravens and the Steelers, both of whom I can see the Broncos easily losing to. If they should somehow make it past those two AFC North teams then their luck will run dry when the Giants go to Denver in week 12 when the two teams play the Thursday night game.
The Colts, like the Saints, will lose to the Patriots. Unfortunately for the Colts, the Pats come earlier in their schedule than they do for the Saints, in week 10.
The Saints who are lead by arguably one of the beast quarterbacks in the league, Drew Brees, have a true, high powered offense, and will have no problem remaining undefeated until week 12 when they face their toughest test in the Pats.
Face-off
Published: Monday, October 26, 2009
Updated: Monday, October 26, 2009
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