This prediction is entirely self-serving. I know the Phillies are very good, they’re back here again, they have great chemistry, they’re a team of destiny, their pitching staff is better than last year, as is their team. It will not surprise me if they win the World Series. It would be a terrific win for the organization if they beat the Mighty Yankees. It’s certainly better than beating the Rays a season ago. (I know a World Series title is a World Series title any way you slice it, but I’m betting it will be sweeter for Philadelphia fans if they beat the Yankees. Just a hunch.)

BUT, setting aside all that, I just can’t help it: I’d like to see the Yankees win. Their lineup is freaking ridiculous. And, I’d like to see Alex Rodriguez continue to motor through the postseason like he did in the ALDS and ALCS. I’d like to see him crowned MVP. I’d like to see some sort of bottom-of-the-ninth heroics in Game 7, and him being crowned king. These sort of moments are rare, I know. But that’s what I’m rooting for, so that’s what I’m going to predict, even if those two things don’t always line up.

And with that bit of gusto, I now completely expect A-Rod to go 0-for-the-series, while making three errors. This is how these things work, no?