While it’s been many years, and there’s a new home, New York is certainly used to hosting the World Series. Philadelphia is lesser so, but it’s learning, and enjoying the process. The Yankees versus the Phillies. Alex Rodriguez versus Ryan Howard. Jimmy Rollins versus Derek Jeter. And on, and on, and on. Two of the best teams in the league will lock horns for a World Series that could be one of the best ever. The surprise may be that it will be the pitching, and not the many all-star bashers, who will make or break this match up.

Game one will see former teammates face off against one another, each playing for new teams this season. For the Yankees, C.C. Sabathia will take the mound, having exorcized the demons of poor postseason play for the Indians and Brewers with astounding divisional, and ALCS championship series appearances.

Sabathia has posted a 3-0 record with a 1.19 earned run average and 20 strikeouts in 22 innings. Perhaps most importantly, C.C. hasn’t allowed a homerun at home this postseason. That’s huge considering the kind of pop the Phillies lineup brings. For the Phils, mid season pickup Cliff Lee will take the hill, putting up almost identical dominance this fall. In three appearances, Lee is 2-0 with a miniscule 0.74 ERA, and 20 strikeouts in 24 innings. Whoever wins the first tilt should hold a commanding lead in the series.

Game two pits two starters who have struggled a bit since the calendar has shifted to October. A.J. Burnett was signed this season to complement C.C. Sabathia and during the regular season he did just that. Though A.J. didn’t record a decision, his first two post season starts were very good, lasting at least six innings in each. But in his third start Burnett allowed six runs and eight hits in six innings in one of the two Yankees losses this postseason. If the Yankees want to win game two, they’ll need Burnett to return to his earlier form.

On the other side is Cole Hamels. Last year’s World Series MVP has had a long tough season that’s extended into a poor playoffs. Hamels has been the weak link in an otherwise strong Phillies post season rotation. Cole has been lit up like a Christmas tree in his three starts this October, posting a 6.75 earned run average and more disturbingly, six home runs in just 14.2 innings pitched. Perhaps most disturbing for Phillies fans is that Hamels gave up more home runs with each start. If the Yankees do lose the Sabathia-Lee duel, they’ll have an excellent chance to bounce back in game two.

Game three might actually feature the most intriguing pitching match up of the series. Two grizzled vets will face one another in what could be the pivotal game of the entire World Series. Andy Pettitte takes the hill for the Yankees, while Pedro Martinez will attempt to add another chapter to an impressive comeback story for the Phils. Like most of the Yankees pitching staff, Pettitte has had a positive post season so far. In three starts he’s gone 2-0 with a 2.37 earned run average, while striking out 15 batters in 19 innings. Pedro, who spent most of the regular season rehabbing, has only made one post season start but he was dominant in that once chance. Against the Dodgers in the NLCS, Martinez threw seven innings of shutout ball, allowing just two hits, while striking out three, earning him this pivotal part to play.

And finally there’s the match up that gets talked about only when the game rolls around to the ninth inning. The Phillie’s Brad Lidge, against the Yankee’s Mariano Rivera. Who has the upper hand? Looking strictly at regular season numbers, the fact that I put that in a question might make some question my sanity. Rivera, showing no signs of slowing down, recorded 44 saves in 46 chances while posting a miniscule 1.76 earned run average, and striking out 72 batters in 66 innings.

Lidge on the other hand, had an abysmal summer. Following his best season ever, he just completed his worst. While Lidge recorded 31 saves, he also had 11 blown saves, and a ridiculously bad 7.21 ERA. Since the post season has started however, Lidge has returned to the dominant reliever that helped lead the Phils to their first World Championship in decades. Since the NLDS has started Lidge has made four appearances, recorded three saves and has allowed just one hit, and no runs. Should he, and Mariano continue their post season dominance the ninth inning for either team will be as anti-climactic as anyone could imagine.

Yes, while most people will be paying attention to the Teixeras, and Jeters, and Victorinos, and Ibanez’s, the real people you should pay attention to will be the guys taking the mound. They are the key to who will hold that big trophy when all is said and done.

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