Posted by Brian Joseph on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 2:34 pm

Fresh off an LCS split by the consensus, the BDD writers as a group carry a 4-2 record into the World Series. Only Brian Joseph was able to nab more than 4 predicting 5-of-6 series correctly with Bill Baer, Andrea Betts, Joe Hamrahi, Rob McQuown, Matt Sisson and Doug Thorburn all matching the consensus with a 4-2 record. Honorable mention goes to David Wade who did not participate in the LDS predictions but went a perfect 2-0 in the LCS.

Here’s how the BDD writers see the World Series playing out with commentary after the graphic:

Andrea Betts (Yankees in 6)
Yankees start the series at home where they have been dominate most of the season. By taking the previous in series in six they are going to be able to maintain their regular pitching rotation intact which will help them out. The Phillies have been at rest for longer and I think they are going to struggle getting things going in the first few games.

Joe Hamrahi (Yankees in 7)
The way I see it, the series will go a full 7 games with the Yankees winning (cringe) yet another (purchased!) title.

But…the Phillies will give New York a run for its “money.” Philadelphia obviously has some potent weapons in Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jason Werth, and Jimmy Rollins. I love the fire in these guys, and I can’t imagine it’s too difficult managing this particular group of players. The problem is…I’m not sold on how well their pitching stacks up against New York. C.C. Sabathia is on fire. Andy Pettitte has been his usual post-season self. And I have a lot more confidence in Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and, of course, Mariano Rivera coming out of the bullpen for the Yankees than I do for just about any of the relievers taking the mound for Philadelphia.

I do believe Cliff Lee will keep the Phillies in contention, but I worry about Pedro Martinez and Cole Hamels. This is not the Pedro your fathers watched fight the Yankees in Boston, and something really looks off with Hamels.

Still, you never know. I won’t underestimate this Philadelphia team, and if any club could be oblivious to the intimidation of the big bad Yankees, it’s the Phillies.

Brian Joseph (Phillies in 7)
The Phillies are from the same city as Rocky and there are plenty of parallels between the successful movie franchise and this World Series. The Yankees are Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang and Ivan Drago all rolled into one. There are plenty of people, like Apollo in his first meeting with Balboa, who think the Phillies should just be happy to be there. The Yankee fans have more swagger than Lang and maybe even a more vicious knockout punch. Plus, there’s the obvious Drago links — the pressure of an “evil empire” to succeed and there’s the juicing, too. Then there’s the Phillies. A club often described as a team with big talent and a bigger heart, competing with the memory of an important family member/mentor/guide still fresh. And, like Rocky was at times, the Phillies are the defending champs.

Last year, the Phillies helped finish off a Cinderella story by being the clock that struck midnight as the Rays’ carriage turned into a pumpkin. This year, it’s more cinematic similarity as the Phillies take down a classic Fall Classic in 7. Yo Harry, ‘dis one’s for you!

Mark Levy (Yankees in 5)

Jeff Lubbers (Yankees in 6)
Though it may pain me to pick the Yankees they do seem to have just a slightly better overall team, and if their older-than-average roster can produce through the last week of October there’s no reason to believe they can’t produce for another week as well.

Rob McQuown (Yankees in 6)
I’ve picked against the Phillies in both series so far, so I’m sure the Phillies fans are happy to see that I’m picking them to lose yet again! Obviously, anything is possible, but this is a well-constructed and balanced Yankees team, giving evidence to what’s possible with tons of money spent well. The fact that at least 4 games (if it goes 7) will be started by (good) LHP doesn’t do Philly any favors, either.

Eric Polsky (Yankees in 6)
The Phillies will be tough to beat, but the Yankees will prove to have spent their $200 million in offseason money wisely, riding CC’s dominant rubber arm, A.J. who is due for a postseason win, and Teixeira who’s bat is due for some big games.

Zach Sanders (Phillies in 7)
The defending champs will be at it again, as Cliff Lee’s AL experience will prove to be key against a powerful Yankees lineup.

Matt Sisson (Yankees in 6)
It pains me to say that and i’ll be rooting for the Phillies….No one likes the Yankees!

Michael Street (Yankees in 6)
It’s an evenly matched series, with two great offenses, solid defenses and two rotation aces who have been cooking in the postseason. But the Yanks get the edge here for a better bullpen, a greater desire to win, and history—A-Rod will get that monkey off his back once and for all, while the Phils won’t become the fourth NL back-to-back World Series champs.

Doug Thorburn (Phillies in 6)
The Phils will successfully defend their World Championship Trophy, thanks to big hits from their big six throughout the series. Games 1 & 3 could be close duels between the lefties (Lee vs. Sabathia and Hamels vs. Pettitte), but the X factor might be the performance of Game 2 starters Martinez and Burnett. Philly takes 2 of the first 3, and rides that momentum for the win.

Isaac Thorn (Yankees in 5)
Maybe they got mad that I picked the Twins to beat them in the ALDS. Not sure. What i do think is that the Yankees keep getting better. Cliches like “firing on all cylinders” come to mind. The Yankees starters and superior bullpen will aid in their winning yet another ring.

David Wade (Yankees in 7)
I think they’re clearly the better team, but Philadelphia is tough so hopefully they make it an entertaining series.

Bo Wulf (Yankees in 6)