Preview: World Series Game One

Former Cleveland Indians pitchers face off in World Series opener

Now the fun begins. Game One of the 2009 World Series between the National League champion Philadelphia Phillies and American League champion New York Yankees brings a lot to the table. The storied franchise that is the Yankees brings a certain mystique that no team can duplicate. The Phillies bring with them the title of defending world champions. Each team is full of star players and future Hall of Fame caliber players. Tonight though will be a match-up of the past two American League Cy Young Award winners, and the highlight of each team's big-name acquisitions within the last year.

The Yankees will go with CC Sabathia in the series opener. Sabathia was signed to be the ace of the staff and he has not disappointed. The former Indian and short-time Milwaukee Brewer has shown his dominant stuff this post season and has not had to carry the team the way he was forced to in Milwaukee. Sabathia is now set up to pitch three games in this series, if needed, on full rest. Sabathia is 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA this postseason. That can be very dangerous for the Phillies, but they are no strangers to Sabathia in the post season.

The Phillies were able to come up with a victory against Sabathia last year in the NLDS against the Brewers, although at the time Sabathia was already wearing down from pitching on short rest at the end of the season. By the time the Phillies got to him in the playoffs Sabathia was running on fumes. Shane Victorino delivered the big punch to Sabathia with a grand slam and Phillies pitcher Brett Myers started the rally with the most storied walk in Phillies post season history.

For the Phillies the mound will be patrolled by trade acquisition Cliff Lee. Lee has found his dominant stuff in the playoffs after showing some signs of vulnerability down the stretch of the regular season. Lee is 2-0 with a 0.74 ERA this postseason. He has struck out 20 batters in the process. In Lee's last game against the Yankees Lee pitched six full innings and allowed three runs on nine hits. For his career Lee is 4-4 against the Yankees with a 5.02 ERA.

First pitch: 7:57 pm
TV: FOX

Pitching probables
Cliff Lee (2-0, 0.74 ERA) vs. CC Sabathia (3-0, 1.19 ERA)

Series tied 0-0
Game 1 (New York) - October 28, 7:57 pm
Game 2 (New York) - October 29, 7:57 pm
Game 3 (Philadelphia) - October 31, 7:57 pm
Game 4 (Philadelphia) - November 1, 8:27 pm
Game 5 (Philadelphia) - November 2, 7:57 pm*
Game 6 (New York) - November 4, 7:57 pm*
Game 7 (New York) - November 5, 7:57 pm*
* if necessary