Phillies vs. Rays
Starting rotation
Philadelphia is more experienced (read older) while southpaw Cole Hamels (14-10, 3.09 ERA, 196 Ks) might be the best pitcher left in the postseason. Tampa Bay’s starters, though, have been brilliant. Inexperienced talents Scott Kazmir, James Shields and Matt Garza have been sensational during the postseason.
Advantage » Rays
Infield
C » Rays backstop Dioner Navarro has finally tapped into his All-Star potential, while Phillies’ Carlos Ruiz (.219, 4 HR) may be the worst hitter in the series.
1B » Phillies’ Ryan Howard (48 HR, 146 RBI) edges his Rays counterpart Carlos Pena (31 HR, 102 RBI) despite Pena’s stronger fielding.
2B » Rays’ Japanese import Akinori Iwamura has been a nice find, but Philly’s Chase Utley is among the NL’s best — if not MLB’s best.
3B » Phillies’ Pedro Feliz is a solid, but average, at the hot corner. Tampa’s Evan Longoria (27 HR, 85 RBI), however, is looking like the Rays’ MVP.
SS » While Jason Bartlett maybe the Rays’ unsung hero, the Phillies counter with reigning NL MVP Jimmy Rollins — it’s no contest.
Advantage » Phillies, 3-2
Outfield
LF » Pat Burrell (33 HR, 86 RBI) has boosted the Phillies in the final year of his contract, but longtime Ray Carl Crawford brings all five tools.
CF » The postseason impact position for both teams. Shane Victorino brings speed and some pop (20 total bases, 11 RBI) to the Phillies but B.J. Upton turned a corner for the Rays in the playoffs — hitting two fewer homers (7) than the regular season (9).
RF » Phillies’ Jason Werth has solid power and speed (24 HR, 20 SB) giving the Phillies more consistency than the Rocco Baldelli/Gabe Gross platoon in Tampa.
Advantage » Rays, 2-1
Bullpen
Tampa Bay has shown they have talent in the pen — including ALCS hero and rookie David Price — to make the late innings difficult. But the Phillies are 86-0 this season when leading after eight innings. Closer Brad Lidge has converted all 46 of his save opportunities.
Advantage » Phillies
