What does the town have to do with who wins the series? If NY and LA win all the time it would be Angels vs Yanks in the AL and Dodgers vs Mets in the NL. Oh guess what, only one of those four are still alive, and imo they go home this round.
I think the public really wants it to be a Dodgers/Sox finals so they are convincing themselves it is going to happen. I think Phillies/Rays is more likely, even if the average Joe doesn't want to see that happen.
Torre is an amazing manager though and the Yanks were stupid to ever let him go. Girardi is nothing to be upset about though if you're a NYY fan. He is a great manager also.