Analysis: 8* WS BEST BET BLOWOUT
(951) PHILADELPHIA (LEE) at (952) NY YANKEES (SABATHIA) 7:55 PM - ** World Series - Best of 7 - Game 1

The questions about which umpires would be chosen to grade the World Series this year have been answered. Crew chiefs Joe West, Dana DeMuth and Gerry Davis, will be joined by Brian Gorman, Jeff Nelson and Mike Everitt. This constitutes a split among whom we consider pitcher-friendly and hitter-friendly vests. Sabathia, has a winning record with each and every umpire on the World Series crew.
In past Fall Classics, its proven that teams don't win unless they can hit. While both the Yanks and the Phils can clearly do this, it is the pitching and bullpen that will dictate this year's winner. Game 1 falls right into this category, likely more, than any game on the 4-to-7 game slate. The Yankees bullpen is better than the Phils, and while it might not make a difference in Game 1, it could, and definitely will, in the series.

First, the forecast for Wednesday night's game offers an advantage to the pitchers. A 60 percent chance of rain with a brisk wind blowing in from left-center field assists both starting lefties, it also slows the running game, a key factor considering we fully expect a determined effort by Philadelphia to run on Yanks catcher Jorge Posada.

Wednesday night's matchup might pit the best offensive team in the American League against the best offensive team in the National League, but when evaluating which pitching staff figures to be better on Wednesday night, C.C. Sabathia and Mariano Rivera or Cliff Lee and Brad Lidge or , the umpiring crew, new Yankee Stadium, and the weather give New York the easy edge.

Both starters are fresh, and have a seasonal advantage due to the weather conditions. The wind blowing in from left-center means that all of the fly balls off of right-handed bats, and those off the bat of slugger Ryan Howard (he goes to left-center WHEN he can make contact against a good southpaw) will befall a quick death.

The umpires slated for Game 1 are the best of the best, and all have pitcher-friendly tendencies when organizations have their No. 1 on the mound.

The Phillies are the most efficient base-stealing team in the major leagues, and have been during their championship tenure. This year, the Phillies stole 119 bases and had only 28 caught stealing. The Yankees had 111 steals and an 80 percent success rate. The Phillies depend on the stolen base more than the Yanks and the probable wet conditions on Wednesday night take away some of the allure of backing the Phils.

The Yankees have been at their best versus good teams. New York is 61-34 against teams with a winning record and were 38-18 in the second half of this season against clubs that sported winning percentages of .501 or better.

New York's improved defense has been everything this year. It has covered up the less than stellar effectiveness of the backend of the rotation and has made their top side, even better. They are 33-8 after three straight games where they committed no errors this season. The Yankees are nearly unbeatable with a fresh bullpen, too, with a 61-28 record in a game after one or less relievers makes an appearance in the previous contest.

8* Play on the Yankees