Collegiate Times

Rays in 6: Joe Crandley

With the completion of the League Championship Series, baseball fans can breathe a sigh of relief that we will not have to hear about the Boston Red Sox or Manny Ramirez for the entire World Series. The inclusion of the Rays and Phillies in the World Series will be an immense breath of fresh air, and the series should be a good one. After a shut out in Game 1 against the Red Sox, the Rays brought out the bats for the rest of the series.  The arms were always there, and they will continue to do well against the Phillies. The Phillies have always had the bats, but only Cole Hamels will be truly effective against the Rays' tough young lineup.  Expect a lot of runs scored, but Phillies fans will once again be disappointed, and the Rays will complete one of the best stories in baseball history -- nine equals one. 

Rays in 7: Matt Costello

After watching the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Boston Red Sox in Game 7, I have to believe that the Rays will be riding the momentum from this big victory into the World Series and ultimately defeat the Philadelphia Phillies. Unless Cole Hamels is able to win all of his starts and pitch consistently on three days rest, I don't see the Phillies starting pitching staff, featuring Brett Myers and Jamie Moyer, managing to hold down the Rays hot hitting lineup. Along with that, the Rays' starting pitching is littered with talent, starting with James Shields, Scott Kazmir and ALCS game-seven winner Matt Garza. After watching him destroy the baseball through the first two rounds of the playoffs, my pick for World Series MVP goes to Ray's centerfielder B.J. Upton. After hitting seven home runs in the first two rounds, Upton is looking to break Barry Bonds record of nine total home runs during one playoff stretch, and he's only 24 years old.

Rays in 5: Dennis Umana