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Similarities Aplenty In Fall Classic

The Associated Press

Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir, tonight's starter, walks through the outfield at Tropicana Field.

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By MARC LANCASTER

mlancaster@tampatrib.com

Published: October 22, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - None of the last four World Series has lasted longer than five games, and three of them have ended in sweeps.

Whether that lack of extended drama was due to one team being that far superior to the other or simply a hot streak coming at the right time, there are reasons to believe the Fall Classic might have a few more games in it this time around.

As the Rays and Phillies begin play tonight at Tropicana Field, there is no clear favorite. And a look at the composition of both teams illustrates any number of similarities, from versatile offenses and strong pitching staffs to the way they were constructed. It all adds up to the possibility of a neck-and-neck run that could produce the first Game 7 in the World Series since 2002, when Joe Maddon's Angels edged the Giants.

"Really, it's a very even matchup," Maddon said Tuesday. "Just in spring training, seeing this team, I thought at that time, 'They're good and they're an American League team.' That's what I thought. And a lot of times people look at us and say, 'They're good and they're like a National League team.'"

When Maddon talks about the Phillies as an AL team, he means their lineup is dangerous from top to bottom - something that isn't necessarily a given in the NL. On the other side, the Rays run like a traditional NL team, leading the majors during the regular season with 142 stolen bases. Of course, the Phillies weren't far behind with 136 steals of their own.

Along the same lines, the Rays posted a 3.82 team ERA this year, with the Phillies at 3.88. And when it comes to team fielding percentages, both checked in at .985.

The similarities go beyond the numbers, though. Both teams can play a speed and power game, with Philadelphia's muscle of Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell opposed by Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena and, lately, B.J. Upton. And between Upton and Jimmy Rollins, two of the top five base-stealers in the game will be represented.

Both squads have their strength up the middle, with Rollins, Utley and center fielder Shane Victorino key cogs for the Phillies and Upton, Akinori Iwamura, Jason Bartlett and All-Star Dioner Navarro contributing at the plate and in the field for the Rays.

Tampa Bay may have the edge when it comes to the overall strength of it starting rotation, but Phillies Game 1 starter Cole Hamels could be the best pitcher of the bunch. And the two bullpens take different paths to the same conclusion.

Philadelphia is 86-0 when leading after eight innings, including all seven of its playoff wins so far. That remarkable number owes plenty to closer Brad Lidge, who has converted all 46 save opportunities. The Rays don't have a designated stopper at the back of the bullpen, but they have more shutdown options among a crew that includes Dan Wheeler, J.P. Howell, Grant Balfour and now David Price.

"I think their pitching's great, and I think our pitching's really good, too," Rays starter James Shields said. "I think we're going to match up pretty well as far as pitching goes."

Both teams have groomed their marquee players from within, as Howard, Rollins and Hamels all were drafted and developed by the Phillies as Crawford, Upton and Longoria were for the Rays.

And finally, both play the kind of baseball most purists prefer - aggressive, scrappy, hustling. On paper, anyway, it sounds like a formula that could keep the games going until just short of Halloween.

"Very balanced teams, good starting rotations, power, speed, the bullpens are both solid," Phillies reliever Chad Durbin said. "It's going to be a good matchup, and hopefully good TV."

Reporter Marc Lancaster can be reached at (813) 259-7227.

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