Most Daily News writers predict another World Series win for Phillies

Ed Barkowitz:

THE YANKEES really did themselves a favor by closing out the Angels in six games and keeping staff ace CC Sabathia lined up for possibly three World Series starts. The uncertainty of the Phils starters beyond Cliff Lee and a bullpen that has had more ups and downs than the Manayunk bike race make it difficult not to lean toward the Yanks.

Neither team should be scorched by the intense World Series lights. Let's just hope the same goes for the umpires.

Yankees in 6

Bill Conlin:

Seldom do the Yankees come into a World Series as the team least experienced in Fall Classic play. But take away the four rings won by the great Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, and three by resilient catcher Jorge Posada, the Phillies have an edge in the been-there-done-that department.

Seven of Charlie Manuel's Game 1 starters - all but presumed designated hitter Raul Ibanez and leftfielder Ben Francisco - proudly own one of the manhole-sized 2008 World Series rings. Ditto most of the pitching staff.

Is that an edge? Well, it helps if you're not scared stiff going against a franchise shooting for its 27th title after winning its 40th pennant.

These teams are offensive heavyweights, but as always, the story will be told at the back end of the bullpen. The names Rivera and Lidge will get a lot of air time.

Phillies in 6

Sam Donnellon:

Johnny Damon on first, two outs, Alex Rodriguez at the plate. Phils lead Game 7, 4-3, Brad Lidge on the mound. Misty rain has been falling all game.

Count is 2-1. Damon takes off for second as Rodriguez, bidding to become Series MVP, takes one right down the middle. Damon slips on the wet dirt. Utley takes the throw and starts to chase him back to first.

He throws. A strike. Howard runs at him. He throws. Another strike.

Jimmy Rollins applies the tag. Rodriguez cracks the bat over his knee in disgust.

Hey, it could happen.

Phillies in 7

Paul Hagen:

The Yankees have better pitching, at least on paper, and that's supposed to be the tipping point in a postseason series. The gut feeling here is that this will not come down to a battle of the rotations.

The Phillies are likely to be the best lineup New York face this season. The Yankees figure to be best lineup Philadelphia goes up against.

The Twins and Angels seemingly crumbled in the face of Yankees mystique, making the sort of mistakes they didn't make all season. The Phillies - the defending world champions, after all - aren't likely to fall into that trap. It's somewhat counterintuitive, but . . .

Phillies in 7

Marcus Hayes:

Can the Phillies hit against the Yankees? No doubt.

Can the Phillies limit the damage by Yankees bats? Sure.

Can the Phillies overcome the aura of Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera? Why not?

Can the Phillies win four times in seven games, four of the games, possibly, in New York? No.

Sorry, but Yankees additions CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira trump Cliff Lee, Raul Ibanez and Chan Ho Park.

Yankees in 7

Rich Hofmann:

If CC Sabathia can start three games in the World Series for the Yankees, two of them on short rest, and if the third start is as good as we all expect the first start to be, then the Yankees will win in seven. But there no precedent for Sabathia being able to pull it off; there isn't even a guarantee that this is the way Yankees manager Joe Girardi will play it. It would be a reach to expect it. It is why I like the Phillies.

Both lineups are potent and powerful. Both lineups have guys falling into and out of slumps. The middle relief on both teams is mercurial almost by definition. So it comes down to this: The Phillies have deeper starting pitching, and the Yankees have the Great Rivera at the back end of the bullpen.

When you look at the league championship series, the Phillies were most impressive against the Dodgers, while the Yankees had the ALCS handed to them on a fumbled silver platter by the Angels, who made eight errors. Which means, well, what? I don't know. But I expect it to come down to this: Pedro Martinez, Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton will give the Phillies more innings than the Yankees get out of A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte and whomever. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong.

Phillies in 7

David Murphy:

How's this for a wild series: The Phillies stun the Yankees by taking two straight on the road, thanks to two pitchers who aren't afraid to pitch inside, yet who can own both sides of the plate. But the Bombers respond with wins in Game 3 and 4, setting the stage for an epic best-of-three finale. Andy Pettitte returns on 3 days' rest to outduel Pedro Martinez in Game 6, but in Game 7, Cole Hamels returns to the form he has been seeking all season, and Brad Lidge nails down the save.

All's well that ends well, right?

Phillies in 7 *