Commentary
Insider Intel: 2009 World Series
Joe Girardi's decision-making could be the ultimate key in the Fall Classic
Updated: October 27, 2009, 7:08 PM ET
By
Keith Law | ESPN Insider
It's geographically unbalanced, but otherwise, Philadelphia Phillies versus New York Yankees is about as good a World Series matchup as anyone could hope to see this year. Both clubs have legitimate claims to be the best in their leagues; both feature ace starters, former MVPs, solid defenders and star closers -- OK, that last one might not extend to both clubs.
To see five keys for the Phillies, five keys for the Yankees and Keith Law's ultimate prediction for the series, plus notes from Inside Edge, Baseball Prospectus and ESPN Stats & Information, you must be an ESPN Insider.
-
ESPN The Magazine subscribers
-
Need more information?
SPONSORED HEADLINES
MORE MLB HEADLINES
- Mauer only Twin with hit off Tigers' Sanchez
- Granderson fractures pinkie after hit by pitch
- Nats' Zimmermann first in NL to win 8 games
- Dodgers' CEO says Mattingly's job safe for now
MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM
WORLD SERIES PREVIEW

ANALYSIS
- Crasnick: Girardi going one step at a time
- Arangure: Manuel thinking things through
- Wojciechowski: A case for instant replay
- Meet the World Series umpiring crew
- BP: Scouting the six Series umpires
- Olney: Old friends to meet in Game 1
- Ten most important players in Series
- Law: Intel Report -- Five keys for each team
- Bryant: The Series we've been waiting for
- Kurkjian: Five key Series questions
- BP: How weather could affect Fall Classic
- Neyer: Weather has its Series moments
- Stark: Defending champs dreaming big
VIDEO
- Baseball Tonight: Kruk, Valentine differ
- Perez: World Series question marks
- Flashback: Pedro vs. Yankees in postseason
NEWS
POLLS
- MLB Draft: NL Central targets
- Olney: Scanning the bullpen market
- Szymborski: Best in-house upgrades
- Cameron: Lackey's first-pitch success
- Law: Diagnosing Hosmer, Moustakas' woes

