MLB: Benton's Cliff Lee Helps Philadelphia Ease Past Yankees in World Series Opener

NEW YORK - Look out for Cliff Lee, Chase Utley and this New Red Machine.

Lee outdueled CC Sabathia, Utley homered twice and the Philadelphia Phillies kept rolling through October, beating the New York Yankees 6-1 on a misty Wednesday night in the World Series opener.

The defending champion Phillies shut down Alex Rodriguez & Co. in the first Series game at the new billion-dollar Yankee Stadium. Trying to become the first NL team to repeat since Cincinnati in 1975-76, the Phils' 17-4 postseason run is the best in league history.

Big Red Machine, meet your match.

"We have confidence. We know we have a good team," Utley said.

Game 2 is Thursday night, with wily Pedro Martinez pitching for the Phillies against jumpy A.J. Burnett.

Ryan Howard reprised his MVP performance, doubling twice and driving in the final run for the Phillies. Rodriguez, however, went hitless and struck out three times in his Series debut.

Hardly looking like the 2-to-1 underdogs they are, the Phillies were in such control that many fans left before the final out.

Lee, a Benton native, bamboozled the Yankees with a spiked curveball, deceptive changeup and his usual pinpoint fastball, pitching a six-hitter while striking out 10 without a walk.