Day 36: World Series, Cardinals, #1 in the Nation and more

HEADLINES

1) Now that the Yankees finished off the Angels in six games, the 2009 World Series is all set up. What is your prediction?

Ben: I'll take the Yankees. They have  a solid lineup top-to-bottom with power throughout. Not only that, but they have started to run the basepaths much better this year as well as make productive outs, instead of just slug for the fences during every at bat. Also, there pitching staff is solid. I like the back end of their bullpen more then I like the Phillies back end. It'll be close, but I've got the Yanks ending a "drought".

Boz: I'm taking the Yankees in six games. Both teams have offensive line-ups that every other team in the league would die for so I think the difference comes down to pitching, both starters and bullpen. I like the three-man rotation that Joe Girardi has implemented in the playoffs and it works for the Yankees because C.C. Sabathis is such a workhorse. I think the Yankees' three starters are better than the Phillies' four starters. Throw in one of the best postseason closers of all-time and the Yankees look like they're ready to capture their 27th world series title.

2) For the second straight week, there was a flip-flop in the No. 1 and No. 2 team in the college football AP poll between Florida and Alabama. Who do you have for the No. 1 team in the nation?

Ben: Iowa. The Hawks are AMAZING, and it is scary how clutch they are. Also, that defense, especially Claybourn, are tough. I'd like my Lions to take a few of those guys in the draft next year. But, to truly answer the question, I think Alabama is a better team overall and at the end of the season, I'll take them to get to the title game.

Boz: The Gators are the defending champions and they are this year's No 1 team until someone knocks them off. I don't like looking into how close the games are. To me, a win is a win no matter how many points they win by. Any week any team can win by 30 points or by one point. That was evident this week when Alabama, who had been blowing out most teams, barely escaped Tennessee at home after blocking a last second field goal. I don't look at anything else but wins and the Gators have the biggest win of the season, beating LSU in Baton Rouge. As long as No. 15 is under center for the Gators, they'll be No. 1 in the polls.

3) Tony LaRussa is back for his 15th season with the Cardinals and is returning pitching coach Dave Duncan with him. However, the new edition to the Cardinals coaching staff will be Mark McGwire as the hitting coach. Was this a good move or bad move by Tony LaRussa?

Ben: No. He's never been a coach before, how can you say he's a legit hitting coach. McGwire is trying to get back into baseball to restore his name so he can make the Hall. He's not really proven to be a good hitting coach, and I've never heard anyone from his past say that they learned a  lot from playing next to McGwire. I think LaRussa is a great manager -- but I think this is a bad hire.

Boz: I've learned a long time ago to never question any move that Tony LaRussa makes, therefore I'll say that this was a good move. McGwire did hit 583 home runs in his career so you think he has something to teach all those young hitters that the Cardinals have on their roster. However, he only hit above .300 three times in his career so hopefully he can teach the Cardinals hitters how to hit for average rather than just home runs. And hopefully he can keep the Andro and other supplements out of their lockers. I'll still say this is a good move, but a better move would have been just paying Albert Pujols more money to be the first baseman and hitting coach. The man is a machine that hits for power and average and hardly ever strikes out.

4) Jake Delhomme had another poor performance in the Panthers 20-9 loss to the Bills, taking Carolina to 2-4 and wondering whether or not they should bench Delhomme. What do you think the Panthers should do?

Ben: I think they should bench him, but I understand their reluctance to. They don't have anyone else. Delhomme is literally the only professional QB on the roster. I think he's maxed out and will no longer be a productive QB, but he's all they've got, really.

Boz: The Panthers should bench Jake Delhomme. He's done a lot for the Panthers in his time there but it is clear that Delhomme doesn't have the abilities to play quarterback in the NFL anymore. He missed a lot of open receivers in the loss yesterday and he is continuing to throw interceptions. However, the Panthers shouldn't bench him for Matt Moore or A.J. Feeley. I don't believe that either of them are the answer. The answer would be signing Jeff Garcia, which they should have done when the Raiders released him. The Panthers are 2-4 which means they aren't completely out of the hunt for a wild card spot with a lot of football to be played. Garcia has shown that he can take a team to the playoffs. Garcia is the answer.

TOSS-UP

1) Who is the better second-year quarterback? Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan?

Ben: Matt Ryan. Flacco has the benefit of an amazing defense -- while Ryan was able to lead the Falcons without the benefit of the defense. He's also won some games for his team, and I really like Ryan and his potential.

Boz: I'll take Flacco, but barely. I like both quarterbacks and their numbers are quite similar this season with Flacco taking the edge in yards. Even though the Ravens have lost three in a row, the losses have been to three good teams. Flacco has been putting up some big numbers for a Ravens team that has been anemic on the offensive side for the past couple years despite a strong defense.

2) Who is the better ex-Indian pitcher in the World Series? Cliff Lee or C.C. Sabathia?

Ben: Sabathia. C'mon, C.C. is legit and has nasty stuff - while Cliff Lee is just a solid pitcher who hits his spots. Lee is like a mid-30's Tom Glavine -- nothing great, but gets wins. C.C. is lights out.

Boz: Sabathia. Cliff Lee has been very good for the Phillies since they traded for him and he was just want they needed to try to repeat as champions. However, Sabathia's ability to pitch three times in a seven-game series is what sets him apart from Lee.

3) Who is the better NFL quarterback prospect? Colt McCoy or Sam Bradford?

Ben: Bradford. McCoy has run that spread offense his whole career just like Bradford, the only thing is, he's never put up the numbers Bradford has and he's also not as accurate a passer as Bradford. So, while I wouldn't want either - I think Sammy B is the better QB.

Boz: McCoy. The shoulder surgery and the 4-6 months of recovery time doesn't help Bradford's cause. He plays in a very spread offense and this season was suppose to be the season where Bradford showed he could play with a weaker offensive line and have to make throws in pressure. McCoy has a stronger arm and is still successful this season despite having less to work with.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: Happy 9th Anniversary Rudy Giuliani. The former New York City Mayor thinks it is okay for children to take a day off from school to watch the Yankees' ticker-tape parade. His Honor, believing baseball can be an educational experience, has allowed his own kids, Andrew and Caroline, to miss classes in the past to watch the Bronx Bombers' post-season celebrations. Wow.

Boz: Happy 31st Birthday to Antonio Pierce. After three years with the Washington Redskins, Pierce joined the Giants and since has been named to a Pro Bowl and won a Super Bowl. Pierce is off to another goo start despite a home loss to the Cardinals last night.