The 2009 World Series is going to go off with a bang, as Game 1 will feature two of the best pitchers in baseball, both of whom have been bulldogs in the postseason this year. Sabathia is 3-0 with a 1.22 ERA in the playoffs, while Cliff Lee is 2-0 with an 0.74. It’s like Gibson-McClain in ’68. Ok, so maybe I’m being a bit hyperbolic, but this is still a great pitching matchup. What makes it a bit more intriguing is the fact that they both pitched for the Indians for many years together, with Sabathia winning the Cy Young as an Indians pitcher in 2007, and Cliff Lee winning the Cy Young as a member of the Tribe in 2008.

Of course, this is not Sabathia’s first meeting with the Phils with the pressure on. Last year, he gave up what in Philly is known as THE WALK in Game 1 of the NLDS while he was a hired gun for the Brewers. Sabathia would be pulled after a mere 3.2 innings, giving up 6 runs. I am sure he is not looking forward to pitching Game 5 in Philadelphia.

In case you are curious, the two are apparently pretty good friends, and were even texting back and forth during the playoffs. “I’ve stayed pretty close with him since he left Cleveland,” Lee said. “But that might have to change next week.”

Another interesting connection: Charlie Manuel was C.C. Sabathia’s manager in 2001 and the start of 2002 in Cleveland. Lee was called up two months after Charlie was fired.