I remember being asked in April of 2003 who I thought would be in the World Series that year.  I said that early, I would have to guess the Braves and Yankees.  How could you bet against either one?  In those days, we all knew both would make it to the playoffs, and in April it didn’t look like anyone could beat them.  Are we be headed there again?

The reigning champion Philadelphia Phillies are struggling to clinch, as teams all around them are securing their own place in the post-season.  Granted the Phillies don’t have to worry about the Mets, but the Braves are hot, winning 15 of their last 17 games.  This David Murphy piece tells how a guy cut from spring training helped the Astros beat the Phillies by allowing only 2 runs in 5 and 2/3.  Hard to believe this is the team that many were saying was the best in the league just after the All-Star break.

The Braves are four back in their division, but only 2 back in the wild-card race.  They are showing they have what it takes to push through these last 6 games and to return to the post-season- if only because they believe that they can.  (And they do have a mighty easy line-up of opponents to face these last 6 games.)

The Yankees have clinched, and showed last week that they can beat their arch nemesis the Angels.  It doesn’t look like anyone else is built to beat them on the road to the October Classic. We have a month more of exciting baseball, where anything and everything can happen- but just as I said back in April of 2003, I don’t see how you can bet against a Braves -Yankees World Series.