Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Sports

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Eight of baseball's best teams have been whittled down and the stage has been set for the 2009 World Series. After six years, the New York Yankees will be making their return to the fall classic as they look to dethrone the defending World Series champions, the Philadelphia Phillies.

It took Philly a mere five games to bring down the Los Angeles Dodgers, while in six games, the "Bronx Bombers" were able to clip the wings of the Los Angeles Angels and send them home empty handed yet again.

During the American League championship series, it was Yankees third basemen Alex Rodriguez who lit the skies with some of his finest hitting of the season. With a .429 batting average, as well as collecting three home runs and six runs batted in, A-Rod has proven that he can still hit with the best the majors has to offer.

His efforts were also complimented by the hitting of fellow teammates Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter. Damon, who hit for a .300 batting average, hit two home runs and had five runs batted in. Yankees captain Derek Jeter also chipped in two homeruns with three runs batted in, as well as a .259 batting average.

On the mound, Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia was nothing short of spectacular. With a 2-0 record, twelve strikeouts, and a meager 1.13 ERA, Sabathia will look to continue dominating hitters going into the World Series.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera showed he hasn't lost stamina by pitching in five games, collecting two saves and posting a 1.29 ERA. Just a short drive away in Philadelphia, the defending World Champions put on a hitting display of their own, throughout the postseason. With help from outfielders Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth, and most notably first baseman Ryan Howard, the Phillies combined for ten home runs and an astounding thirty four runs batted in.

As productive as Howard was during the postseason, it was Shane Victorino who, to the surprise of many, was the catalyst in the Philadelphia offense. Victorino hit for a .368 batting average, a team leading seven hits, two home runs and six runs batted in. Howard was no slouch himself in the series. The Phillies clean up hitter posted a .333 batting average while launching two home runs and driving in a team high eight runs batted in.

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