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NEW YORK - The Yankees are one win away from winning the World Series, but the Philadelphia Phillies aren't going down without a fight.

The Phillies could have prevented a Tuesday train ride to New York by rolling over to pitcher A.J. Burnett and the Yankees in Game 5 on Monday night. However, Philadelphia scored eight runs while the Yankees' vaunted lineup didn't arrive until the late innings. Philadelphia still has a chance to win the best-of-seven series even though it trails 3-2.

Here are five reasons why you should keep watching:

1. Chase Utley is one of the best players in baseball. He tied Reggie Jackson for the most home runs hit in a single World Series with five. He also makes the top of Philadelphia's lineup scary. The Yankees can't pitch around Utley, which would mean Ryan Howard coming to bat. They also can't pitch to Utley with the power he has shown. 

2. Philadelphia had the best road record in baseball this year, 48-33. The Phillies proved in Game 1 of the World Series that the stigma of Yankee Stadium won't get to them. They defeated the Yankees 6-1 with Utley hitting two solo home runs to lead the way. Philadelphia played better on the road than it did at home (45-36).

3. Joe Girardi's mismanagement of the starting rotation could cost the Yankees. New York has had every one of its starters going on three days' rest. Philadelphia is a patient team and needs to take advantage of this blunder by working counts. The quicker the Phillies get the Yankees' starter out of the game, the better chance they have at beating New York. Just hope when Girardi goes to the bullpen, he doesn't call on Mariano Rivera.

4. Philadelphia might not have seen the end of Cliff Lee. If the Phillies push this series to a Game 7 on Thursday, Lee has said he will be ready to pitch. Against the Yankees, he has been terrific. In Game 1, he shut them down for nine innings. In Game 5, he kept New York at bay for six innings.

5. When Jimmy Rollins gets on base the Phillies win. Rollins has scored three runs in the World Series. There is not much of a coincidence that the runs came in Games 1 and 5. The most telling statistic on Rollins isn't his World Series average (.263) but his on-base percentage (.417). The Phillies' lead off hitter had a .296 on-base percentage during the regular season.

Contact Susan Lulgjuraj:

609-272-7187

slulgjuraj@pressofac.com

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1 comment:

• passline410 (7) posts 8:15 am

  When the Phillies win, we will be having a parade in Boston as well!

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