World Series Prediction: Phillies in 6

Here's the reasoning:

1. The Phillies are defending champions. That means something.
2. The Yankees are an excellent team, but so are the Phillies.
3. Yes, I'd rather have Mariano Rivera over Brad Lidge, but a) I'm not so sure about the rest of the Yankees' bullpen and b) Lidge has looked better of late. In other words, I don't think that the difference between bullpens is as pronounced as some say.
4. Could this be a "last hurrah" for the Yankees' core of Posada, Jeter, Rivera and Pettitte? All are outstanding, at least two are Hall of Famers? Jeter, at 35, is the youngest of the four. This intangible bodes well for the Yankees.
5. There's just something about the Phillies that has them keep on coming back. They have the best record in baseball from September 1 on of any team in the majors. In the past two seasons, they keep on finding an extra gear. They, too, have an excellent nucleus.
6. It will take a great effort from either team to beat the other. Each is the best in its league.
7. Am I making a predictable pick in that I'm a Phillies' fan and that it's easy to say "don't bet against the defending champions?" Perhaps, but the Yankees have a lot of talent and are worthy of considerable respect.
8. In other words, my reasoning is pretty thin, perhaps based on a hunch that the lineup still has enough hits left in its bats and that the bullpen has enough resilience, with Brett Myers now back, and with Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ available. Somehow, I think that the Phillies' bullpen has enough left in it to get the job done. And, because of that, I think that they'll win the Series.
9. But not without many anxious moments.
10. Here's to hoping for a memorable Series.