Instead of a battle between two of baseball's oldest clubs with each team trying to release their fans from decades of purgatory, the 99th World Series will feature the Marlins and the Yankees. I have to say I'm disappointed, but baseball goes on, so let's take a look at the series before us.

In case you haven't heard, Florida's manager Jack McKeon (72) is old, but he's managing his first post-season. 3B/OF-R Miguel Cabrera (20) and LHP Dontrelle Willis (21) are young and talented. Both were rushed, oops I mean unexpectedly promoted, from the AA Southern League, where they played for the Carolina Mudcats, who are located in Zebulon, North Carolina (Doesn't that sound remote and far removed from the majors?).

On a more serious note, Willis surprisingly is not scheduled make a start in the series. Instead, he'll pitch out of the bullpen, where I expect to see him at least warming up almost every game of the series. McKeon now appears to believe 3B-R Mike Lowell has sufficiently recovered from his broken hand, so Lowell should be at third throughout the series, pushing Cabrera to left in AL parks and right in NL parks. Right-handed hitter, Jeff Conine will DH when the Marlins are in Yankee Stadium and play left at ProPlayer.

OF-L Juan Pierre, who you'll hear called one of the hardest working players in baseball, should play an important role for the Marlins at the plate and in the field. C-S Jorge Posada isn't C-R Mike Piazza behind the plate, but he won't stop Florida's run game, whereas New York will think two or three times before even attempting to run on C-R Ivan Rodriguez.

Florida's critically acclaimed defense should sharply contrast a Yankee team, whose defensive problems are waiting to reveal themselves to the public. Of course, casual viewers might not notice New York's shortcomings with FOX announcers Tim McCarver and Joe Buck praising players' abilities to catch balls hit directly into their mitts.

The Yankees will once again send a thoroughly sound team onto the field, but they aren't unhittable and their offense can be stopped. We favor them in this series because the gimmick to increase the ratings of the All-Star game handed the AL home field advantage in the World Series when tradition says it should go to the NL. The Marlins' pitching also looks a bit more vulnerable. However, if New York's bats go cold, Florida could easily capture a second World Series title for their young franchise.

Game One: RHP Brad Penny at LHP David Wells
The six pitches Wells threw in Game 7 of the ALCS don't really bother me. However, ignoring that outing, he's starting tonight on only three days rest after his Game 5 start. I'm a little concerned about Penny's stamina, as he's been in the pen close to three weeks rather than starting, but he should be well rested going into the game. I expect Wells to scatter a few hits over his innings and the Marlins to use their little ball tactics to bring enough runners home to cover for whatever runs the Yankees score when Penny runs into a bad inning, so Florida should take Game 1.

Game Two: LHP Mark Redman at LHP Andy Pettitte
Both Redman and Pettitte will be pitching on three days rest, but I think the Yankee lineup will be gunning for Redman after a loss in Game 1. New York should take Game 2, though I wouldn't be surprised to see high run totals on both sides.

Game Three: RHP Mike Mussina at RHP Josh Beckett
We expect Beckett to remain in his groove, baffling the Yankees' DHless lineup. Mussina should provide New York with another strong performance, but at the end of the game, he'll once again be able to bemoan a lack of run support, as the Marlins win Game 3.

Game Four: RHP Roger Clemens at RHP Carl Pavano
Given a second chance to make the last start of his career, Clemens should go out on a strong note, handing the Yankees a win in Game 4 even if the offense isn't able to do much against Pavano.

Game Five: LHP David Wells at RHP Brad Penny
I expect the Marlins' to make the most of their final start with home field advantage and take the series back to New York with a 3-2 lead.

Game Six: LHP Mark Redman at LHP Andy Pettitte
Pettitte should provide New York with another compelling argument to re-sign him this off-season, while the Yankee lineup celebrates having their designated hitter back with a few home runs. New York ties the series at 3.

Game Seven: RHP Josh Beckett at RHP Mike Mussina
After a long season and a long outing in Game 4, Beckett will show signs of fatigue in the final game of the year. Mussina will get his run support and George Steinbrenner will smile again.

Yankees over Marlins in 7.