Rust?

Game 1 goes to the Phillies. Rust, I don’t think so. The Phillies came out of the gate wanting to send a message to the Rays, that they are not a typical national league team. The game started exactly the way many of us needed it to, with a two run homerun by Utley. Cole Hamels started one of the most important games of his life, and pitched a very good game.

Pros
Cole Hamels
Pedro Feliz
Akinori Iwamura
Rays Bullpen

Goofs
Ryan Howard
Shane Victorino
B.J. Upton
Willy Aybar

Pros: Cole Hamels was dominating again, and has forced at least a game 5 with him pitching at home. The World Series you need to take game by game, but Hamels has at least calmed the nerves of the Phillies fan. Pedro Feliz proved me wrong by his strong defense and actually decent at bats tonight. Feliz has proven to me that he deserves to be the starting third baseman for the World Series. Iwamura was a great spark plug for the Rays. Hitting 3-3 against Hamels, and drove in a run, long run pain in the a%# for the Phillies. The Rays Bullpen has nothing to be ashamed about tonight, and I am sure they will sleep fine after their performance in game 1. The bullpen just dominated the Phillies batters, and put them all in a funk.

Goofs: Ryan Howard seems to have disappeared this postseason, and if we are going to win the World Series he is going to be needed. Ryan Howard strained too many men on the bases, and defense looked a little rocky. Shane Victorino almost cost us the victory tonight with his running ability, almost getting picked of at second, and running with a pop out in 3rd. Many Phillies fan were shaking their heads after that play. Upton was hyped up to be the most feared hitter in the Series, but Hamels dealt with him by getting him to ground out in two double plays. Double plays are rally killers, and Hamels was able to get Upton to do it twice. Aybar the DH for the Rays has a horrific game, and I am fearful of him getting out of his slump.

The Phillies take game one, now its onto game 2 where Bret Myers will have to do it with his pitching, and has to put down the bat since pitchers don’t bat in the American league. Game 2 Tomorrow Night!