People think they'll be snoozing, but they're wrong

	Believe it or not, Tampa's team of playoff newbies are the World Series favorites here at SIKIDS.com. Icon SMI
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Dugout Dispatch readers, do you hear that sound? Listen closely: it's the sound of people snoring. They're snoring because they think that the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies are going to combine for a really boring World Series.

Sure, it's not as cool as it could have been. I really wanted to see Manny and the Dodgers win it all. And yes, after an awesome American League Championship Series between the Rays and the Boston Red Sox, you might think we've seen the most exciting series of the fall.

But just because this wasn't the ideal World Series matchup, doesn't mean it won't be good. In honor of the seven-game series, here are seven reasons why you should watch:

1. No team from Boston

First it was the New England Patriots making it to the Super Bowl. Then it was the Boston Celtics winning the NBA finals. And then it was the Red Sox on the verge of another World Series. I don't know about you guys, but I am pretty sick of Boston fans thinking they are the best at every sport. Thanks to the Rays (and the New York Giants), they can no longer make that claim.

2. A Tale of Two Cities

This may be the first time that Philadelphia and Tampa Bay have faced off in the World Series, but it's not the first time that the two cities have met up for important games. On January 19, 2003 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10 in the conference championship game on their way to their first and only Super Bowl victory. In the teams' two previous playoff meetings, however, the Eagles crushed the Bucs (31-9 in 2002 and 21-3 in 2000). The cities have met on ice as well. They have played two playoff series against each other with the Flyers taking the first one in 1996 and the Lighting taking the second in 2004 before winning their only Stanley Cup final. So don't be fooled into thinking there is no bad blood between the fans of these two teams.

3. Young Guns

Cole Hamels, the Phillies ace, is 24 years old. Matt Garza, the MVP of the ALCS is, too. The Phillies would have never gotten this far without Hamels who is 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA this postseason. And aside from Garza, the Rays will also be giving to ball to James Shields (26), Scott Kazmir (24) and Andy Sonnanstine (25). It's pretty cool to have so many young pitchers on the mound for the biggest games of the season.

4. Lovable Losers

If the Rays win the World Series, they will become the first team to go from worst to first and they will end ten years of losing seasons with the biggest win of them all. If the Phillies win they will give the city of Philadelphia its first championship in any major sport in 100 years. One's a decade, one's a century, but either way one of these losers is finally going to win.

5. Homer Happy Speed Demons

The Rays haven't even played in the World Series yet and already they are fourth all time in single-season postseason home runs (22). Their 17 stolen bases so far tie them for sixth place all time. And while the Phillies didn't do as much, their ten homers are not too shabby, and no one should forget that they led the National League in long balls this season with 214 and were third in steals with 136. People usually say pitching wins championships, but this series could ride on the offensive weapons that both teams posses.

6. Fights!

Remember when Rays pitcher Grant Balfour exchanged heated words with Chicago White Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera during the division series? Remember when Phillies pitcher Brett Myers threw at Dodgers leftfielder Manny Ramirez, inciting bean balls for the rest of the series? These teams are young and emotional, and they can fight. And I don't know anybody who doesn't like a good old-fashioned benches clearing brawl once in a while.

7. No Brooms Allowed

Both teams can pitch and both teams can hit. The Rays have the momentum but the Phillies have had time to rest. There really isn't a clear favorite here, which might be a good thing. This series could go all the way and be competitive throughout. There's always a chance that one team will just turn it on and be unbeatable, but I do not foresee a sweep, so you can just leave your brooms at home. Both teams want to win and won't give up easily.

See, you're already jumping up and down in anticipation of the World Series. You can't wait to see two fun teams battle it out for baseball dominance! But of course, there is still one thing to work out. Who will in? Here are our predictions.

The Brain: The Rays will win it in six games, because I don't like them and they're out to make my life miserable because of that.

The Fantasy Wizard: Rays in six. When in doubt, always pick the American League team.

The Ballroom Dancing Wizard Duane from New Jersey: Tampa Bay in six. AL East >>> NL East.

Professor Ulane: Tampa Bay in six games, because no one plays Rays baseball quite like the Rays.

Well, there seems to be a LOT of agreement on the SI Kids side of things? Do you think we're right? Send the Brain your predictions and she'll congratulate you next week if you're right!