The Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies, two teams starved of success, cast off years of failure with their World Series showdown starting on Wednesday. The American League Rays and National League Phils, both deserving pennant winners over the more glamorous Red Sox and Dodgers, begin their best-of-seven Fall Classic at Tropicana Field, where Tampa Bay had baseball's best home record. Both clubs blend power and speed in their lineup, with the Phillies featuring slugger Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and rally starters Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino. Shining for the Rays are a dangerous trio in the middle of the order - B.J. Upton, Carlos Pena and slugging rookie third baseman Evan Longoria. Tampa Bay has a deeper starting rotation, headed by Scott Kazmir, Scott Shields and Matt Garza, while Philadelphia boasts a formidable corps of relievers topped by closer Brad Lidge. Rays supporters will have their cowbells ready to ring in a new era of success, and fans in Philadelphia will be out in force waving a sea of white towels - not in surrender but in hopes of spurring on a rare triumph. The Phils have one Major League Baseball crown in 125 years of operation and yearn to add to a 1980 title won when Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton played in Philadelphia. Philadelphia, returning to the World Series stage for the first time in 15 years, has been frustrated by all the major pro teams who have made their home in the City of Brotherly Love. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, is aiming to complete a spectacular turnaround, competing in the postseason for the first time in its 11-year existence after a decade as cellar dwellers. A sleeping giant for the Phils could be power-hitting first baseman Howard. The 2006 National League MVP led the league with 48 homers but has not cleared the wall this postseason. While the Rays use a bullpen-by-committee approach to close out victories, the Phillies hand the ball to relief ace Brad Lidge, who has been a perfect 46-for-46 in save opportunities. – Reuters __
