This picture pretty much recaps my recent question responses. Check out Ted Keith’s power rankings here.
This story got me thinking of who I expect the Yankees to face, and eventually beat in the World Series (I’m not superstitious). And I also will not fray from my preseason predictions. The Yankees will host and take down the Dodgers of Los Angeles in the World Series. I will tell you in how many games when the World Series comes around.
Why the Dodgers? They have one of the top offenses in the league when they are going right, and their lockdown bullpen. Here are a couple of names that you probably have never heard of: Ronald Belisario and Ramon Troncoso. Combined they hold an ERA of 2.28 in 138 games. Add on guys like George Sherrill, Hong Chiue Kuo, Charlie Haeger, Guillermo Mota and that guy with 36 saves, Jonathan Broxton. I would be scared to fall behind against that bullpen, even with a comeback-team like these ‘09 Yanks.
How about their manager? That guy who won four World Series championships with the Yankees, Joe Torre. This team is built all-around just like the Yankees but subtract a little power.
Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez do far more damage than Manny Ramirez and Andre Ethier. But I bet you didn’t know Ethier has 105 RBIs and Matt Kemp has 100. Not even the Yankees have two guys with over 100 RBIs.
Let’s face it. This is the World Series matchup that Major League Baseball is hoping for. It would yield by far the highest TV ratings than any other plausible matchup this year. With all of the history, the two Joes and the huge markets, MLB would be basking in gold. For me, I think it would be the most exciting, and the most pleasurable winning experience. But that’s just me.
