World Series Opens Tonight

Tonight in Tampa FL, two of the best left handers in all of baseball square off in game 1 of the WS: Hamels and Kazmir. As I said in both the previous rounds, the Phillies need to win when Hamels is on the hill. He's there best pitcher, and is always going to give them a chance to win more so than the rest of the rotation. Kazmir and Hamels have been compared to one another their entire careers, dating back before they were drafted. They were both drafted in 2002 and were 3 picks apart in the draft. kazmir was brought up by the mets, but since they hate keeping their young studs, he was traded before he and Hamels ever had a chance to face off in the NL east. based on their postseason performances, you have to lean towards Hamels tonight, but it all comes down to either offense being able to hit these guys.




The next major concern is how the Phillies will handle the DH spot. In the games during the regular season vs. the AL the Phillies have used Dobbs, Stairs, and Big Daddy Ryan Howard in that slot but tonight Charlie Manuel has hinted at using back up catcher Chris Coste as the DH.

I dont mind this move, hes the best right handed hitter to go up against Kazmir, but it makes me nervous to have both Phillie catchers active in the game.

Will the down time hurt the Phillies?
Will the Rays continue to hit so fucking well?
Can the Phillies' starters go at least 5-6 innings each game?
Did the end of the ALCS reveal weakness in TB bullpen?

I am nervous. I have waited a long time to watch my team in the WS. And to me game 1 is the most important in the WS. I heard a stat that something like 10 out of the last 11 world series were determined by the winner of game 1. Stats like that dont hold that much weight with me, but shit...cant ignore it.

ESPN First take yesterday claimed this to be a boring WS, and of little intrest to the whole country. they say you need a 'villian' in the series, some team that people love to root against in order to make it interesting. Well thats them, i got my villian--

Fuck you TB mascot, ya fuck.