FIRST BASE
MARK TEIXEIRA: Hits have started to fall, and batting coach Kevin Long likes the recent approach but the average is .229. Thirty-seven RBIs are fifth on team. Provides Gold Glove defense.
RYAN HOWARD: Ten homers and 43 RBIs have him on pace for another solid season. Has improved with the glove but not in Teixeira’s class.
KING’S EDGE: PHILLIES
———-
SECOND BASE
ROBINSON CANO: Two-plus months into the season and here is the leading candidate for AL MVP honors. With a .371 average, 13 homers and 47 RBIs, he leads the club in all categories. Playing Gold Glove defense.
CHASE UTLEY: As recently as October this was the winner here. No more. Cano is hitting .115 points higher and outslugging Utley.
KING’S EDGE: YANKEES
————
SHORTSTOP
DEREK JETER: How many of these matchups has Jeter won across his career? Even when pitted against Nomar Garciaparra, Jeter was the winner. Flirting with .300 again.
WILSON VALDEZ AND JUAN CASTRO: Jimmy Rollins belongs here to give the Phillies a jolt atop the lineup and in the clubhouse. But he is on the DL. Valdez is hitting .249 and Castro .229.
KING’S EDGE: YANKEES.
——–
THIRD BASE
ALEX RODRIGUEZ: Power has been down (eight homers) and that could be attributed to hip flexor tendinitis. Hasn’t started since Thursday night when he left after an inning.
PLACIDO POLANCO: One of the most underrated hitters in the game. Batting .319, so the move from second as a Tiger to the corner isn’t affecting him.
KING’S EDGE: YANKEES
———-
LEFT FIELD
BRETT GARDNER: A dozen weeks into the season the energetic speedster has answered the questions about being able to play every day since he is hitting .317, which is second on the team. Nagging left thumb injury bears watching.
RAUL IBANEZ: Veteran left-handed hitter is having an off year but in the last five games is 8-for-20 (.400). Still, he is hitting .247 with four homers.
KING’S EDGE: YANKEES
————
CENTER FIELD
CURTIS GRANDERSON: Missed time with a leg injury and is hitting .241 in 39 games with four homers and 17 RBIs. Has been solid in the field.
SHANE VICTORINO: Hitting 37 points below 2009 average of .292 at .255 but 10 homers matches last year’s output. Above average defensively.
KING’S EDGE: PHILLIES.
——–
RIGHT FIELD
NICK SWISHER: If Cano wasn’t having the year he is, Swisher would be in the hunt for team MVP. Hitting .299 with 10 homers and 40 RBIs.
JAYSON WERTH: Big piece of the Phillies’ attack, he is hitting .280 with 10 homers and 38 RBIs. Yankees likely to be interested in free agent after season.
KING’S EDGE: YANKEES
——-
CATCHER
JORGE POSADA: Returned to catching Sunday and left the game late due to soreness in the right foot, the same one he fractured on May 16. Has hit grand slams in the past two games. Francisco Cervelli might be the best backup in baseball.
CARLOS RUIZ: If he is in the lineup tonight against CC Sabathia, Ruiz steps in without a hit in 16 at-bats. Brian Schneider is the other option but he hits left-handed.
KING’S EDGE: YANKEES.
—–
DESIGNATED HITTER
YANKEES: If Posada doesn’t catch and his foot allows him to play, he will be the DH. Didn’t handle it well until hitting a grand slam Saturday as the DH. Swisher was the DH on Sunday when Posada caught.
PHILLIES: Manager Charlie Manuel will likely use Ben Francisco tonight against Sabathia and Ross Gload against A.J. Burnett tomorrow night. Is toying with Ryan Howard against one of the right-handers.
EDGE: EVEN
—–
STARTING PITCHING:
YANKEES: Sabathia, Burnett and Andy Pettitte were the only three starters the Yankees needed to get through last year’s postseason and they are in order for this series. Pettitte is better than ever.
PHILLIES: Even with the great Roy Halladay, who goes tonight, the Phillies are overmatched with Kyle Kendrick facing Burnett and Jamie Moyer pitted against Pettitte.
KING’S EDGE: Yankees.
———–
BULLPEN:
YANKEES: The reason the Yanks were favored in last year’s World Series was Mariano Rivera over Brad Lidge. Nothing has changed. Joba Chamberlain is better than Jose Contreras, and Damaso Marte gets the nod over J.C. Romero.
PHILLIES: Lidge has been good since coming off the DL and Contreras has been effective. Danys Baez works before Contreras.
KING’S EDGE: YANKEES
———
BENCH:
YANKEES: Has been shuffled due to injury (Marcus Thames) and ineffectiveness (Randy Winn). Lots of flexibility with Kevin Russo and Ramiro Pena. Outfielder Chad Hoffman has one big-league game of experience. Cervelli is a big plus.
PHILLIES: Francisco, Gload, Brian Schneider and Wilson Valdez give Manuel options.
KING’S EDGE: EVEN
——-
MANAGER:
JOE GIRARDI: Has had to work without regular DH (Nick Johnson) valuable se-up man (Alfredo Aceves) and a sub-par Teixeira and has the Yankees tied for first place.
CHARLIE MANUEL: Rollins’ absence has been a huge difference maker. After winning the World Series in 2008 and going to it last year, Manuel didn’t forget how to manage.
KING’S EDGE: EVEN
———-
INTANGIBLES:
YANKEES: Have beaten up the dregs of baseball and now get a crack at one of the better NL teams, albeit struggling at the moment. Can move past the Rays into first place.
PHILLIES: Take Jeter,Rodriguez or Cano away from the Yankees and that’s what Rollins’ absence has meant to the Phillies. Can’t afford to lose too much ground to the Braves.
KING’S EDGE: EVEN