Phillies-Yankees: World Series Game 1 preview

GAME 1, World Series (best-of-seven)

PHILLIES at NEW YORK YANKEES

Yankee Stadium, 7:57 p.m.

TV: FOX. Radio: WPHT (1210), WUBA (1480), ESPN (97.5-FM, 950-AM)

Weather: Low 50s, chance of showers, diminishing as game progresses.

Game Line: Yankees -$160; Phillies +$150. Over/Under: 7 Runs.

1. See CC. It doesn't hurt to hit with two strikes, and, yes, Sabathia has powerful offspeed out pitches, but why not make him throw a two-strike changeup in lousy weather? When the Phillies are good - especially Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz and Jayson Werth - that's what they do.

2. Embrace the moment. Playing the New York Yankees at an offensive monument to greed like the new Yankee Stadium against a huge payroll littered with certain and possible Hall of Famers is a much bigger deal than outlasting an overachieving bunch of youngsters whose fan base prefers fishing off causeway bridges. Admit it, and thank the baseball gods for the Tampa experience of a year ago.

3. Don't panic. Even if Sabathia is unhittable, even if Cliff Lee gives up a few, the Phillies' bullpen has shut things down this postseason. Maybe the Phillies can get to Yankees relievers Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes. Mariano Rivera, on the other hand, is a different story.

Phillies LHP Cliff Lee

Regular season

2009: 14-13; 3.22 ERA; 34 games/34 starts; 9.52 hits/9 innings; 4.21 strikeouts/walks; 17 home runs; 1-1 vs. Yankees.

Career: 90-52, 3.97 ERA; 194games/190 starts; 9.21 hits/9 innings; 2.71 strikeouts/walks; 134 home runs; 4-4 vs. Yankees.

Postseason

2009: 2-0; 0.74 ERA; 3 games/3 starts; 5.18 hits/9 innings; 6.67 strikeouts/walks; 0 home runs; 0-0 vs. Yankees.

Career: 2-0; 0.74 ERA; 3 games/3 starts; 5.18 hits/9 innings; 6.67 strikeouts/walks; 0 home runs; 0-0 vs. Yankees.

Regular season

2009: 19-8; 3.37 ERA; 34 games/34 starts; 7.71 hits/9 innings; 2.94 strikeouts/walks; 18 home runs; 0-0 vs. Phillies.

Career: 136-81; 3.62 ERA; 288 games/288 starts; 8.28 hits/9 innings; 2.69 strikeouts/walks; 168 homers; 1-1 vs. Phillies.

Postseason

2009: 3-0; 1.19 ERA; 3 games/3 starts; 6.75 hits/9 innings; 6.67 strikeouts/walks; 1 home run; 0-0 vs. Phillies.

Career: 5-3; 4.72 ERA; 8 games/8 starts; 9.44 hits/9 innings; 1.76 strikeouts/walks; 5 home runs; 0-1 vs. Phillies.

Game 2: Tomorrow, 7:57 p.m.

Phillies (Martinez, 5-1) at Yankees (Burnett, 13-9)

Game 3: Saturday, 7:57 p.m.

Yankees (Pettitte, 14-8) at Phillies (Hamels, 10-11)

Game 4: Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

Yankees at Phillies

*Game 5: Monday, 7:57 p.m.

Yankees at Phillies

*Game 6: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 7:57 p.m.

Phillies at Yankees

*Game 7: Thursday Nov. 5, 7:57 p.m.

Phillies at Yankees

* - if necessary

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