World Series

Well, I guess it's time for that congratulatory post to the Devil Rays* the Sox put on hold Thursday night. If you're going to lose, this is the way to do it - a hell of a game, really -Lester sharp, but Garza brilliant, the Rays making a couple big hits, the Sox not able to get it done: usually because the Rays pitchers made the pitches - though you do wish JD Drew would take a swing now and then, and Tek.... Tek, Tek, Tek.. I suspect this is not the last time these teams fight for the crown: Tampa is very young, and very good,especially the starters, with Price joining them... the core of the offense will be doing this for a while too. Though the Red Sox are not that different - their starters were a bit shaky in this series, but the top 3 are still good for 45-50 wins a season (even this year, with Beckett off all year), and all still in their 20s - with more on the way. The lineup is mostly in their prime as well - they have a few good years to come from this bunch. The Sox will spend to keep a competitive team out there - the crunch will come when the Rays have to ante up for a couple of their players. Even if they don't break the bank, if they're willing to pay to keep the team together, they should be in contention for a long time. A fine thing.

As for the Series? I'm the type of homer that if my team can't win, I'll change my loyalty to their closest rivals - so go Tampa! Though it's not a hard thing to do - they're a great story and the kind of team I like to watch - pitching, defense, around a core of stars - they're the Twins model, only able to actually win in the post-season....I think they have the same advantages against Philly they had against Boston: deeper pitching (without giving up much at the top); enough offense; sharp defense (though that went a bit off in the last series - which does look a bit like nerves); their weird and wacky park. They have the same disadvantages as well - the Phillies have some pretty good pitching as well (Hamels and Lidge particularly), do all the right things (catch the ball, etc.), have a deep and varied offense - and might have more game-breakers, who can do it themselves, the famed One Swing of a Bat - mobs of line drive hitters are a fine thing, but sometimes you want the bomber in the middle of the lineup, and Ryan Howard is the class of the game as a power hitter.... And not the only one in the lineup..... So - there's a good chance we'll see a competitive world series this year - first one since 2003 (sort of) or 2002. That alone is a good thing.

* And finally, a pet peeve. I hate it when teams get rewarded for doing silly things. Like the Patriots dropping Pat the Patriot for the flying elvis (to cite one of Gregg Easterbrook's genuine clever lines) and promptly winning the superbowl. The Rays drop the Devil and immediately turn into world beaters - what the heck? Devil Rays was much cooler. Hrumph!