World Series preview

LEFT FIELD

Rays: Carl Crawford

The longtime (and long-suffering) Rays outfielder also might be the most reliable hitter the team has. He hit .345 in the ALCS and also stole three bases.

Phillies: Jayson Werth

One of Philadelphia’s underappreciated outfielders, Werth emerged as both a productive offensive player and a threat to steal bases this season. He’s one of the few Phillies hitters who is adept at working the count.

Edge: Rays

CENTER FIELD

Rays: B.J. Upton

Whether it’s providing Tampa Bay some pop (24 homers in 2007) or speed (44 steals this season), the No. 2 pick in the 2002 draft is one of the Rays’ brightest young stars. He backed that up in the ALCS, posting an on-base-plus-slugging-percentage of 1.180.

Phillies: Shane Victorino

For those baseball fans who didn’t know about Victorino’s talents, his performance in the NLCS provided a crash course. He is a skilled defensive player, an aggressive hitter and quite possibly the most disruptive runner the Phillies have.

Edge: Even

RIGHT FIELD

Rays: Rocco Baldelli

Baldelli’s return after three injury-plagued seasons has given a lift to Tampa Bay’s lineup. He might not start every game but remains a reliable hitter against righties and lefties.

Story Continues →