World Series Game 1 Finally Begins Yankees-Phillies Showdown

The World Series Game 1 is the most hyped early World Series game, and the most important. World Series Game 1 is a big indicator, since the last several World Series Game 1 winners have won the title. For this World Series Game 1, the Phillies and Yankees have a real shot to get a big boost early, especially with their powerful aces on the hill. In the 2009 World Series Game 1, the Yankees can get an early jump on winning title number 27, or the Phillies can prove any remaining doubters wrong right off the bat.

The World Series Game 1 carries a particularly large amount of hype this year, given that the Yankees are involved. Joining them are the defending champion Phillies, who may have won it all last year, but won't be considered a true potential dynasty until they beat the Yankees.

The Phillies beat the Rays in last year's World Series Game 1 on the road, and handled Tampa Bay the rest of the way - but the Rays are not the Yankees. This year, the Phillies enter Game 1 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium, with Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and C.C. Sabathia waiting.

However, the Phillies know how to beat Sabathia in the postseason, having torched him last year in Game 2 of the NLDS when he was with the Brewers. And this year, the Phillies have Sabathia's former teammate Cliff Lee to match him, as the two most red-hot pitchers in October duel in the World Series Game 1.

With the Phillies and Yankees meeting in New York, Lee and Sabathia facing off, and scorching batters like Ryan Howard and A-Rod slugging it out, this World Series has insanely high expectations. After several consecutive World Series that have been lopsided, with low profile teams, the World Series Game 1 is expected to start the first classic Fall Classic since 2001.

Game 1 will tell a big tale, since the winner of Game 1 usually goes on to win the World Series lately, and the Phillies have never won a playoff series after losing Game 1. In the last two years, the Phillies have jumped out early in every series, and beating Sabathia in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium would be a gigantic boost. It would make Philadelphia more comfortable with sending Pedro Martinez out for Game 2, for certain.

But as long as the Phillies get one win in New York, they can feel confident going back to Philadelphia, with their huge postseason home field advantage. Still, the Yankees have never lost a playoff game in the new Yankee Stadium - mainly because the road teams made major mental errors. Under Charlie Manuel, the Phillies' even-keeled attitude has been a major strength, and may reap benefits against the Yankees mystique.

The World Series Game 1 may be a little wet, but all indications are that the game will start and end on time. Game 1's first pitch, to New York public enemy No. 1 Jimmy Rollins, is scheduled for 7:57 p.m. est on FOX.

Sources

Washington Post- "The World Series: Phillies at Yankees and your predictions"

Philadelphia Daily News- "Phillies-Yankees: World Series Game 1 preview"