Mets and Phillies Rivalry Will Be Even Better in 2009

My initial team comparisons.

By adding Francisco Rodriguez and JJ Putz, the Mets improved an area they were very weak in last season. Tim Redding may help their starting pitching a bit. The Mets outfiled is mediocre at best

The Phillies added solid Leftfielder Raul Ibanez to replace the departing Pat Burrell. Overall, other than Burrell, the Phils have kept intact the World Series club from last season. Lidge will not be able to replicate his excellent 2008 campaign.

1B Ryan Howard over Carlos Delgado. Delgado will be 37 this season and won't repeat his surprising productive 2008 season. Howard, fresh from another big payday should hit 40+ homers again.

2B Chase Utley over whoever. Unless the Mets re-incarnate Joe Morgan in his prime, no one is a better second baseman than Utley.

SS Jimmy Rollins slight edge over Jose Reyes. Both a good fielders and can run the bases very well. Rollins has a little more power and has a better understanding of the game than Reyes.

3B David Wright over Pedro Feiz. Wright is an All Star and should continue to improve. He's the best Met player, by far.

C - Brian Schneider and Carlos Ruiz - A wash.

LF - Raul Ibanez over Daniel Murphy - Ibanez is a .300 hitter and has 337 RBIs in last 3 seasons.

CF - Carlos Beltran a very slight edge over Shane Victorino. Beltran's game is diminishing while the Flying Hawaiian's game is improving.

RF - Jason Werth over Ryan Church. Werth has power, speed and a very good arm. Church is mediocre at best.

SP - Santana (16-7), Pelfrey (13-11), Perez (10-7), Maine (10-8) Tim Redding (10-11) vs. Hamels (14-10), Moyer (16-7), Meyers (10-13), Blanton (4-0) and Kendrick (11-9). Edge to the Phils here. Besides Santana and Pelfrey, the Mets are not strong this coming year and Maine and Perez can implode at anytime.

Bullpen - Francisco Rodriguez and JJ Putz sure up a very bad back end of the Mets bullpen. Brad Lidge (41 saves) and Ryan Madson are no slouches. I'll give a very slight edge to New York here.

Bench - Dobbs, Stairs vs. Marlon Anderson and Fernando Tatis. Benches are Even.