The problem with Matsui winning the MVP is that he is the team’s DH and didn’t have much of a role in the three games played in Philadelphia. How can a player be an MVP of a six-game series in which he only started three games?

Damon, on the other hand, was a pain in Philadelphia’s side the whole series. When history looks back on the 2009 World Series, the play that will be remembered is Damon’s double steal in Game 4. Without that play, it could be the Phillies who are celebrating.

What didn’t help Damon’s cause is that he was forced to leave Game 6 due to a calf strain. Without Damon out of the lineup and Matsui having one of the best World Series outings of all time, the voting was obviously effected. Where the voters wrong?

I think so.

Should Johnny Damon have been the World Series MVP? (Image: Zuma Press)

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Johnny Damon the Real World Series MVP?

The Yankees went with C.C. Sabathia in Game 4 on only three days of rest and will do the same with Burnett in Game 5. In Game 2, Burnett pitched seven innings and allowed only four hits and one earned run while striking out nine batters.

While most major league pitchers struggle on only three days of rest, Burnett actually has a good history in this situation. In four starts on short rest, he has a 2.33 ERA and earned a win in each of the four contests.

The Phillies will counter with Cliff Lee. Lee, who won Game 1, has been amazing in the playoffs so far. He has a 0.54 ERA in four starts in the playoffs. In Game 1, he went nine innings and didn’t allow an earned run.

AJ Burnett will start Game 5 (Image: Zuma Press)

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A.J. Burnett to Start in Game 5

Nope. Not this time, at least.

The Yankees have to be thrilled with what their money was able to buy them in the offseason. Even though C.C. Sabathia lost Game 1 of the World Series, he was fantastic in his first three postseason start. Plus, there will likely be plenty of time in this World Series for Sabathia to bounce back.

Mark Teixeira earned many of his millions in Game 2. With the Yankees down 1-0 in Game 2 against the Philadelphia Phillies and staring at an 0-2 deficit in the World Series, Teixeira hit a solo shot in the fourth inning to tie the game. His homer seemed to lower the pressure and allow the Yankees to swing with more confidence.

On the mound in Game 2, A.J. Burnett was tremendous. He went seven innings while giving up only one earned run and striking out nine batters. If Burnett gets another start, the Yankees will be confident in his ability to deliver a win.

CC Sabathia has been worth his big contract (Image: Zuma Press)

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In Game 1 of the World Series, not only was he the hero in Philadelphia’s 6-1 victory, he was also busy setting records. His two homers off of C.C. Sabathia made him only the second lefty in World Series history to hit two homers off of a left-handed pitcher in the same game. The other player? Some guy named Babe Ruth.

Perhaps an even more impressive record was set with a walk in the first inning. With the walk, Utley reached base for the 26th consecutive postseason game. That mark beat Boog Powell’s record of 25.

In the regular season, the 30-year-old second baseman hit .282 with 31 homers, 93 RBIs, 112 runs and 23 stolen bases. If the Phillies are going to go on and beat the New York Yankees in the 2009 World Series, they’ll continue to need big performances from their sometimes hidden superstar.

Chase Utley - Philadelphia Phillies (Image: Zuma Press)

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Record Setting Chase Utley

At the plate, both teams are very tough. The Yankees might be a tad more talented but the Phillies are extremely explosive. In fact, these may be the two best offensive teams in the game of baseball.

As far as starting pitchers are concerned, both teams are somewhat similar. C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee are both studs but the superstar depth ends there. Cole Hamels and A.J. Burnett are good but have had their up and down moments as of late.

In a series this even, the series may be decided in the bullpen. With Mariano Rivera, the Yankees have a big advantage over the Phillies and Brad Lidge. With that in mind, I’ll go ahead and pick the Yankees to win the series in seven games.

Is Brad Lidge the chink in Philly's armor? (Image: Zuma Press)

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With two outs and two on in the bottom of then ninth, the Phillies trailed by a run. Going up against Jonathan Broxton, Rollins lined a pitch into the outfield that easily scored both Eric Bruntlett and Carlos Ruiz. The 5-4 victory for the Phillies definitely had to take the winds out of the sails for the Dodgers.

Brad Lidge, who got two strikeouts in the top of the ninth, picked up a save. Broxton, who had 36 saves and an ERA of 2.61 in the regular season, got the loss.

The two teams play again on Wednesday. Vicente Padilla will go for the Dodgers, while the Phillies will try to close the series out with Cole Hamels.

Jimmy Rollins - Philadelphia Phillies (Image: Zuma Press)

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After the Dodgers tied the game on a Chase Utley throwing error, Andre Ethier came to the plate with the bases loaded. Ethier, who has arguably been the Dodgers best player in the postseason, was able to draw a walk to put the Dodgers up for good.

For the Phillies, it was a disappointing end to a game they appeared destined to win. Martinez gave up only two hits in his seven innings of work. Ryan Howard hit a solo shot in the fourth to put Philadelphia on top.

Dodgers catcher Russell Martin said that this game illustrated how Los Angeles typically wins games.

“We go out there and compete, play through 27 outs, and whatever happens, happens,” said Martin. “But we never keep our heads down.”

Game 3 will be played in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Andre Ethier Drew a Bases-Loaded Walk (Image: Zuma Press)

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Bases-Loaded Walk Gives Dodgers the Win

In the regular season, the 37-year-old native of the Dominican Republic was 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA. After staying out of baseball for the beginning of the 2009 campaign, he eventually signed with the Phillies and pitched in nine games.

The Dodgers will be starting their own mid-season acquisition. After going 8-6 with a 4.92 ERA with the Texas Rangers, Vicente Padilla was released. The Dodgers signed him and he went 4-0 with a 3.20 in eight appearances — seven of which were starts.

In Game 2, the Dodgers basically face a must win situation. If they drop both home games, they’ll face the nearly impossible task. To even the series, they’ll have to face a familiar face.

Pedro Martinez will start Game 2 (Image: Zuma Press)

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Pedro Martinez to Start Game 2 for Phillies

In the regular season, Kershaw’s record was only 8-8, however that doesn’t tell the tale of how well he pitched. He had a 2.79 ERA and totaled 185 strikeouts in 171 innings.

In Kershaw’s other postseason start, he gave up two earned runs in 6.2 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. Versus the Phillies, Kershaw will go against big game pitcher Cole Hamels — and that’s not even mentioning the intimidating batters the Phillies send to the plate.

Last year, Hamels was arguably the Phillies most important player on their way to the World Series championship. This season, he’s been mediocre. That said, he has a chance to redeem himself going up against Kershaw and the Dodgers on Thursday.

Clayton Kershaw - Los Angeles Dodgers (Image: Zuma Press)

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Clayton Kershaw to Start Game 1 for Dodgers

Heading into the top of the ninth inning, the Phillies trailed 4-2. But with two runners on base, Ryan Howard delivered a two-run double to tie the game. Jayson Werth then singled to score Howard and give the Phillies a 5-4 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, Scott Eyre gave up two hits but Brad Lidge came into the game and picked up his second consecutive save.

In the series, the Phillies had a lot of big performances. Chase Utley hit .429 for the series, while Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino and Werth all hit better than .350.

The Phillies and Dodgers begin their series on Thursday in Los Angeles. Cole Hamels will start for the Phillies, while the Dodgers will go with Randy Wolf.

Ryan Howard lights up a cigar as the Phillies celebrate (Image: Zuma Press)

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