The World Series to be Won on Monday
In the 2008 World Series, the Philadelphia Phillies lead the Tampa Bay Rays three games to one in the best of seven series. On Sunday, the Phillies won 10-2 as Ryan Howard, the big slugging first baseman for Philadelphia, hit two home runs and starting pitcher Joe Blanton got the win and also provided a home run of his own.
While Game 5 of the World Series isn’t technically a winner-take-all game, it will decide the series. If the Phillies win, then they will obviously be crowned the champions of baseball in 2008. However, if the Rays win, they will go on and win the World Series.
The reasoning? A combination of home field advantage and pitching matchups. Game 5 will be played in Philadelphia, with Game 6 and Game 7 to be played in Tampa Bay. If the Rays can get back home, they have two pitchers ready to bring the World Series championship to Tampa Bay.
In Game 6, Rays ace James Shields would get the start. Shields is a much better pitcher at home and he already has a reputation in his young career of being a clutch pitcher. Speaking of clutch, Game 7 starter would be NLCS MVP Matt Garza. Garza won the MVP in large part to his magnificent Game 7 performance against the Boston Red Sox.
Even though final two games of the series set up rather nicely for the Rays, Game 5 will be very difficult. On the mound for the Phillies will be their ace Cole Hamels. Hamels is by far the best starting pitcher for Philadelphia and he has been very good in the 2008 postseason. The Rays will have Scott Kazmir on the mound who has a 4.15 ERA in the playoffs thus far.
Be sure to catch Game 5 of the World Series on Monday at 8PM eastern on Fox. You are guaranteed to see one of the World Series be decided.
