Who thought we'd have to listen to Joe Buck explain the catwalk rules at that monstrosity of a ballpark in Tampa Bay?
I've never heard so many baseball expert/analyst types gripe about a matchup no one predicted at the beginning of October, let along in spring training. Read between their lines and the message emerges: Because we're missing a team from New York, Boston or Los Angeles, it can't possibly be a good Series. They underestimated the two league champions, so now they'll be underwhelmed by their Best of Seven.
We've seen pitchers hit: Joe Blanton's home run beautifully rocketed from Citizens Bank Ballpark, the first time in 34 years a pitcher went deep in the World Series. Phillies hurler Brett Myers contributed three hits in the NLCS despite his .062 batting average in the regular season.
We've seen the young Rays finally answer the question, "When are all those high draft picks going to pan out?" If they don't rally for three straight wins, have no fear - they'll return to the playoffs. They have the talent to keep up with the Red Sox and Yankees.
But who thought to have Ken Rosenthal interview Ryan Howard? Next to the hulking first baseman, Rosenthal looked like a Lollilop Guild refugee.
Let the media call it a boring series because Philly has pulled away from Tampa Bay. Their boredom expanded as the White Sox, Cubs, Dodgers and Red Sox were eliminated from the playoffs. No one wanted this series.
Each game is what you make of it, and until last night's Philly slugfest, we had three games decided by a combined four runs. That's October baseball at its finest.
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