Keys to winning the 2008 World Series
Sports Network | October 21, 2008
(Sports Network) - The 104th World Series is about to get underway, as the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays get ready to kick off the Fall Classic at Tropicana Field on Wednesday.
Philadelphia is in the Fall Classic for the sixth time in franchise history, but will be making its first appearance since 1993. Despite being around since 1883, the Phillies' lone World Series title in 1980 gives them just one more than the Rays, who played their first game in 1998.
While we hear constantly about the Chicago Cubs' 100-year drought, more should probably be made of the Phillies' one title in 125 seasons. At least the Cubs have two titles to their credit.
Tampa, meanwhile, is in the midst of one of the most stunning turnarounds in sports history, as it became the first team since the 1991 Atlanta Braves to reach the World Series a year after finishing with the worst record in the majors.
The Rays are also just the third team to advance to the World Series immediately after 10 or more consecutive losing seasons. Detroit was the last team to do it two years ago, but the Tigers were dismissed in five games by the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.
As an introduction to this World Series matchup, let's take a look at the keys to winning the series for both clubs.
TAMPA BAY RAYS
1. BJ UPTON & EVAN LONGORIA
The Rays have received huge efforts at the plate this postseason from B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria. The two have combined to hit 13 homers, the most by a pair of teammates under the age of 25 and one shy of the overall postseason record accomplished by Barry Bonds and Rich Aurilia for San Francisco in 2002.
Upton, who only left the yard nine times during the regular season, has hit seven homers in these playoffs, one short of the major league record held by Bonds (2002) and Carlos Beltran, who did it for Houston in 2004.
Longoria, meanwhile, has belted a rookie playoff record six homers and knocked in 11 runs this postseason. His eight RBI against the Red Sox in the ALCS matched Cincinnati's Pat Duncan in 1919 for most RBI by a rookie in a single postseason series. Of his 11 hits in these playoffs, nine have gone for extra bases. Longoria has also struck out 11 times, though.
Tampa is going to need these two to continue their hot hitting if this magical run is going to continue.
2. STARTING PITCHING
As good as its offense was in the ALCS, Tampa is probably in this position because of its starting pitching. The quartet of Scott Kazmir, who will pitch Game 1, James Shields, ALCS MVP Matt Garza and Andy Sonnanstine has been tremendous. However, Shields is going to have to win a game or two in this series to earn back that "Big Game" moniker he entered the postseason with.
The latter three right-handers could have their hands full with the lefty- heavy Phillies lineup. If they keep Chase Utley and Ryan Howard in check, the Rays are going to have a good chance at winning this series.
3. BULLPEN
If there is one question mark for the Rays heading into the World Series, it is their bullpen. With closer Troy Percival sidelined, manager Joe Maddon had a difficult time getting the final three outs against Boston.
The group, which was so solid during the regular season, has struggled in October. Dan Wheeler, who was to assume Percival's vacated closer's spot, has surrendered four runs in six innings of work, while Grant Balfour is pitching to a 7.94 ERA.
Percival could be activated for this series, but Maddon may have found another option in 23-year-old left-hander David Price, who recorded the final four outs in the Rays' Game 7 clincher against the Red Sox.
Price, the top overall pick in the 2007 draft, has electric stuff but was only used three times in the playoffs by Maddon. He was 1-0 with a save and did not surrender a run in 2 1/3 innings of work.
With the Phillies' lefty-heavy lineup, specifically Howard and Utley, you would have to think Price could play a bigger role in this series.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
1. STEAL A GAME ON THE ROAD
This goes without saying. Tampa won a major league-best 57 games at home, but the Phillies were the NL's best road team at 47-39. If Philadelphia somehow takes one of the first two games and steals home-field advantage, this could be a short series.
Why? Well, the city of Philadelphia is so starved for a title that those fans could will this team to a victory. The Rays are not going to know what hit them when they arrive in the City of Brotherly Love, especially if the series is tied at a game apiece.
The Rays think cowbells and mohawks are cool, but wait until they see the crowd in Philadelphia in Games 3, 4 and 5.
2. RYAN HOWARD
The Phils need Howard's bat to come alive. The NL MVP candidate hit .500 (6- for-12) over the final three games against the Dodgers in the NLCS, but has yet to hit a home run this postseason and has driven in a measly three runs.
Of course, Howard hit 48 home runs in the regular season with 146 RBI, both league highs. The Phillies have managed to get by the first two series without his big bat, but they will probably need him to produce in this one if they want that parade down Broad Street.
3. GET THE BALL TO LIDGE
Unlike the Rays, when the game gets to the ninth, there is no doubt who is pitching for the Phils. Brad Lidge has been the best closer in baseball this season, and although he may make things interesting, he has done the job every time he has toed the rubber this season.
Lidge was a perfect 41-for-41 in save opportunities during the regular season, and erased his postseason demons by going a perfect 5-for-5 against the Brewers and Dodgers.
Of course, it was Lidge who was the losing pitcher in this year's All-Star Game, which gave the Rays home-field advantage for this series.
New FanShot
