Yes you read that correctly. After long deliberation, Steve has decided to let bygones be bygones and root for the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. The reason is very simple, the Phillies represent the National League, and the National League East for that matter. They clearly were the better team this year down the stretch zooming past the Mets and taking care of business in the NLDS and NLCS.
This is a holdover from childhood. You root for your league. This year is very hard, but I am doing it. (While still hoping that Jimmy Rollins goes 0-entire series.) Last year I rooted for the Red Sox since I wanted it to enhance the rivalry with the Yankees and in 2006 I was still too shell-shocked to root for anyone. I am back supporting the National League.
The Tank picked the Rays to win the World Series and he may be right. The Rays have better pitching, but the Phillies have a rock star line up. Good pitching shuts down good hitting so the Rays may have an edge. The Rays don’t have any super duper stars in the lineup, but rather a ton of young guys who all seem to hit .300 and have speed.
Last night Philly ace, 24-year-old lefty Cole Hamels, won the game 3-2. Yesterday was a must-win game for the Phillies since Hamels is their ace and the Rays have more depth compared to the Phillies in the back end of the rotation. Hamels can’t pitch each game, so the Rays have to win tonight if they want to stay in the game. However, the Home Run park up in Philly may give the young Rays hitters a chance to explore. Anything can happen.
Posted by Steve in New York