MLB: World Series Has Plenty of Star Power

NEW YORK (AP) - All-Stars at most spots, mixed in with MVPs and Cy Young winners. A rich roster, full of World Series success.

So how come the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies are such underdogs?

Probably because they're facing the team that has defined championship baseball for so long.

Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and the New York Yankees, hoping to include Alex Rodriguez in a full-throttle celebration this October.

A pair of franchises separated by a 90-minute ride on the New Jersey Turnpike, with no real rivalry to speak of despite their century-long histories.

That could all change starting Wednesday night. Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and the Phils are set to dig in against CC Sabathia in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium.

"I think the fact that we're playing the Yankees and it's close to Philadelphia and how the fans and the media react to it and how both cities look forward to it, that puts more icing on the cake," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Monday. "It does something for the game."

The Phillies worked out at Citizens Bank Park before hopping an Amtrak train for the hour-plus trip to Penn Station in midtown Manhattan. Whether they ride back up next week will be decided later - none of the last five World Series has lasted more than five games.

In the meantime, all aboard!