World Series Preview: Are the Yankees Really the Better Team?

While all indications are that the mighty New York Yankees are the better team in this impending World Series matchup, the facts actually may state otherwise. That’s not to say that the overall consensus is wrong, but in the face of what each individual has done on the field, could the Philadelphia Phillies have the better baseball team?

Catchers:
NYY: Jorge Posada, .285 avg., .885 ops, 22 hrs, 81 RBI, 28% throw-out rate, 7 E
PHI: Carlos Ruiz, .255 avg., .780 ops, 9 hrs, 43 RBI, 27% throw-out rate, 3 E
Analysis: Jorge definitely has had the better bat this season, and he isn’t that far behind in terms of fielding—if behind at all. For that reason, I’ll go with Posada at the catcher position.

First Base:
NYY: Mark Teixeira, .292 avg., .948 ops, 39 hr, 122 RBI, .997 fld%, 4 E
PHI: Ryan Howard, .279 avg., .931 ops, 45 hr, 141 RBI, .990 fld%, 14 E
Analysis: While the offensive numbers are fairly similar, Teixeira appears to have a slight edge. And while Howard’s defensive numbers are good and much improved, there’s no doubt that Teixeira is the better first baseman. Advantage, Yankees.

Second Basemen:
NYY: Robinson Cano, .320 avg., .871 ops, 25 hr, 85 RBI, 5 SB, .984 fld%, 12 E
PHI: Chase Utley, .282 avg., .905 ops, 31 hr, 77 RBI, 23 SB, .984 fld%, 12 E
Analysis: It’s amazing how close these guys are on the defensive side of the ball. However, on the offensive side, I’m leaning Utley’s way. Cano has the better average, and they do seem to have similar power numbers. But Utley gets on base more and hits more homeruns per at bat, and for that reason, Utley gets the nod.

Shortstop:
NYY: D. Jeter, .334, .406 obp, .871 ops, 18 hr, 66 RBI, 30 SB,.982 fld%, 8 E
PHI: J. Rollins, .250, .296 obp, .719 ops, 21 hr, 77 RBI, 31 SB, .990 fld%, 6 E
Analysis: Offensively, Jeter’s basic numbers look better. The two playes, however, have similar power, while Jeter gets on base a lot more. Still, they both have about the same number of total bases, and Rollins has more homeruns and RBIs despite being the leadoff man in an National League lineup. But I’ll use defense to determine this matchup, thus I’m going with Rollins, who scouts label the better defender.

Third Base:
NYY: Alex Rodriguez
PHI: Pedro Feliz
Analysis: I won’t even bring out the numbers on this one. A-Rod is the better third baseman.

Left Field:
NYY: Johnny Damon, .282 avg., .854 ops, 24 hr, 82 RBI
PHI: Raul Ibanez, .272 avg., .347 obp, .899 ops, 34 hr, 93 RBI
Analysis: The offensive numbers aren’t that far apart, but Ibanez gets the edge. Damon is the better fielder, but he’s no Gold Glover either. I think the two are a wash, and you could go with either player in your lineup.

Center Field:
NYY: Melky Cabrera, .274 avg., .336 obp, .752 ops, 13 hr, 68 RBI, 10 SB
PHI: Shane Victorino, .292 avg., .358 obp, .803 ops, 10 hr, 62 RBI, 25 SB
Analysis: This really is close, but it isn’t. The numbers aren’t too far apart, but Victorino’s ability to steal bases and his superiority on defense gives him the advantage.

Right Field:
NYY: Nick Swisher, .249 avg., .371 obp, .869 ops, 29 hr, 82 RBI
PHI: Jayson Werth, .268 avg., .373 obp, .879 ops, 36 hr, 99 RBI
Analysis: If it weren’t for Swisher’s ability to pop a homerun, this matchup would easily be in Werth’s favor. But defensively, Werth is definitely the better outfielder with a better arm. Werth gets the advantage.


So in analyzing the positional players head to head, it would appear that the Yankees win 4 of the 8 matchups, with the left field position ending in a tie. So the Yankees do appear to have the better talent in their lineup, and this analysis doesn’t even include the DH position. So perhaps the consensus opinion is correct; the New York Yankees have proven this season that they have superior position talent to that of the Phillies.

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