For our preview page in today’s paper, we had our baseball writers and columnists give us their pick to win the World Series. Here are their predictions.
Ben Goessling
SEE RELATED:The key to this series is whether the Phillies can get enough out of their starting pitchers (other than Cole Hamels) to match the depth the Rays have in their rotation. Both lineups can put up runs in bunches, but they’re also inconsistent. Tampa Bay has a better chance to control the series with its pitching, and in what should be a close series, that’s the difference.
Prediction: Tampa Bay in seven
Dick Heller
Some are calling the Rays this season’s Team of Destiny, but that won’t hold true against the Phillies and their powerful lineup. Look for Utley, Howard, Rollins and Co. to turn Tampa Bay into this season’s Colorado Rockies instead.
Prediction: Philadelphia in five
Thom Loverro
Recently, the team that has won the tougher league championship series — and not the more rested team — has maintained that toughness and gone on to win the World Series. I have a hard time believing Joe Maddon won’t outmanage Charlie Manuel.
Prediction: Tampa Bay in six
Mark Zuckerman
What Tampa Bay has accomplished this season has not been a fluke. This is a talented team that dominated the Red Sox in the ALCS. But the Phillies come in rested and plenty talented themselves. Their lineup is more formidable than Boston’s, they have the best pitcher in this series in Cole Hamels and they have a closer (Brad Lidge) who hasn’t blown a save this season. It will be a good series, but Philadelphia emerges on top in the end.
Prediction: Philadelphia in six
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