Yankees, Phillies headed for Fall Classic showdown

World Series odds are backing the New York Yankees to go all the way, and they should have enough to get through the American League. But they’ll face Philadelphia in the World Series, and you know the saying: to be the champ, you gotta beat the champ.
New York (+185) – We know they can hit, but it’s the pitching that will carry the Yankees through October. C.C. Sabathia may have been the best hurler in the American League in the second half, going 11-1 with a 2.36 ERA in 14 starts. Andy Pettitte will be solid, but there’s a lot of pressure on A.J. Burnett and Joba Chamberlain to be more consistent, especially Burnett, who took a giant contract to don the pinstripes.
Philadelphia (+645) – Another hard-hitting team that may have the deepest pitching of all the postseason teams. Cliff Lee was the best pickup at the trade deadline, although he’s cooled off a bit. Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ, Pedro Martinez and Joe Blanton are also available, and we saw what Hamels can do in the postseason as he was last year’s World Series MVP. The problem is the bullpen: is Brad Lidge alright? Ryan Madsen is the closer right now, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a World Series winner that has a closer-by-committee system. Offensively, a return to form by Raul Ibanez would go a long way.
World Series pick: New York over Philadelphia in six games. With Sabathia at the helm and a ton of veteran leadership, the Yankees will win World Series No.27.