Commentary: Baseball's new rivalry

October 2009 transformed the university's campus into two colors: blue and red. Blue Yankees hats and jerseys clashed with red Phillies hats and jerseys, starting a Civil War on campus. The echoes of "Let's go Yankees" fought against the roar of "Yankees suck" on my way to class, on my way to the gym, on my way out at night and during any other moment of my life.  Why? Because the two teams were about to go head-to-head in the World Series and every Phillies and Yankees fan on campus felt like their own lives depended on this series.

Last year's World Series matchup between the Phillies and the Yankees sparked a new rivalry and could give fans a round-two matchup come October. New York and Philadelphia never seem to get along in the sports world due to the Giants and the Eagles, and the Mets and the Phillies, but two teams who rarely play each other are now a featured rivalry in baseball. It was one of my favorite moments in baseball, and a rematch could only make for better drama come next year.

After a 4-0 postseason performance, Cliff Lee, who had a strong 1.56 ERA, was sent packing in a trade for Toronto Blue Jays star Roy Halladay. This trade gave the Phillies one of the best pitchers in baseball, but with the problems in Philly arising every game, Cliff Lee wasn't on the mound, and improvements are lacking. The rotation remains similar to last season and the Phillies need a turnaround from former ace pitcher, Cole Hamels. He had great 2007 and 2008 seasons, but last year his performance was lackluster with a 4.32 ERA which is much higher than his 3.09 ERA from 2008. Their lineup is still great, leaving the Phillies slightly better than before, but they could use a reliable arm to backup Halladay to improve their championship hopes.

New York's victory over Philadelphia gave the Yankees their first championship since their 2000 championship win over the Mets. The first objective for the Bronx Bombers was to fix some holes in their lineup and trade for the power hitting outfielder Curtis Granderson, who hit 30 home runs last season. The Yanks only had three reliable pitchers for the playoffs last year so an upgrade to their rotation was inevitable. Enter Javier Vazquez. This isn't the first time he's played for the 27-time World Series Champions. In 2004, Vazquez joined the team and had a rough year with only a 14-10 record and a high 4.91 ERA, but since then he is a completely different pitcher. Last season with the Braves he had a career year with 238 strikeouts and only a 2.87 ERA. If he pitches half as well in the 2010 season as he did last year, the Yankees are a serious threat for title contention. 

The loss of Johnny Damon in leftfield leaves a gap that the Yankees are trying to fill with Brett Gardner and Randy Winn, but this is the only spot in the lineup that is almost an automatic out. Damon wanted more money and years from New York, but his age and talent didn't qualify for his outrageous demands. Damon signed with the Tigers for one year for $8 million, an offer close to his original Yankee deal.

To make it back for another chance at the title, the Phillies biggest competition won't be in their division. They should be guaranteed the NL East title. The biggest road blocks ahead come from the Cardinals, Dodgers and the up-and-coming Giants. The Yankees are still on the lookout for their rivals, the Boston Red Sox, who always pose a threat. After an early exit in the playoffs, the Sox signed veteran pitcher John Lackey, who gives them an even stronger rotation. The Angels and the Detroit Tigers are improved franchises, and both teams are looking to cut the Yankees' season short. 

For the sake of exciting rivalries and television, the MLB needs both teams to meet again not just in the regular season. Both teams do play this summer, but they need to meet in the World Series. Both teams are the favorites going into Opening Day and barring a serious injury, fans will be rewarded with a rematch of one of best growing rivalries in sports.

Bryan Berkowitz is a staff reporter for The Review. Send questions, comments and 2010 World Series tickets to bberk@udel.edu.