2009 World Series Picks and Predictions

A 2009 World Series pick or prediction is definitely tougher than most. This year two goliaths are battling for the right to win it all. Philadelphia, the defending World Series champion, will face the tradition rich New York Yankees. The series could go either way. It could be a World Series Game 7 classic in 2009. But I'm going to take a stab and say the Yankees will win before that. Yankees in 6. And here's why.

My first reason? C.C. Sabathia. Sabathia is one of the most dominant performers in the game. Sabathia has been lights out in the postseason and I think he'll be tough to beat in either appearance. It's true that Sabathia will face the red hot Cliff Lee in game one. But Lee will have to be Mr. Perfect once again on the road. He'll also have to find out a way to cool off one of the hottest postseason bats ever in Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez has been clutch during the 2009 Postseason.

My second reason? Thanks to the goofy All Star contest rule the Yankees have home field advantage.
The Phillies will have to go in and battle the elements. And by that I don't mean weather. Sure it might rain for Game 1 or Game 2. That could be an issue to at some point within the series. Philadelphia doesn't go as deep from a pitching perspective and I think that could cost the Phillies. Especially when potentially 4 of the 7 games will be on the road in New York.

This series could be one of the best of all time. Two major media market teams battling it out. The ratings for the 2009 World Series could be very very strong in comparison to other years when small media market teams made it to the finals of the Fall Classic. Look for the 2009 Fall Classic ratings to be the highest of the decade.
FOX will enjoy the benefits of such high ratings between two big name MLB teams.

My 2009 World Series prediction is that New York wins in 6 games. The Yankees will win 2 of the first three and Philadelphia will be on their heels early. Sabathia is a likely favorite to win the MVP if he continues pitching like he has.

The Phillies also have to worry about the best closer ever in Mariano Riviera. Riviera is my third solid reason I am predicting the Yankees will win the 2009 World Series. If you can't get on the Yankees starters early then you won't have a chance against the Yankees bullpen. Although if any lineup is capable of hitting strong pitchers it's the Philadelphia Phillies. Utley, Werth, Howard and Rollins are just the start for this hard hitting baseball team.
Brad Lidge has been strong out of the bullpen for the Phillies during the postseason but he might not be as strong in New York against the Yankees. Watch for Lidge to struggle and the Yankees to claim another World Series in 2009.