Thoughts on the World Series

2 games finished and its 1-1 in the series. Here are my thoughts on what has transpired so far:

Cliff Lee's Domination in Game 1

What an amazing mid-season pickup by the Phillies as Cliff Lee has quickly become the ace of the staff. So far in these playoffs he has been absolutely unreal going 3-0 with a 0.54 ERA. Lee has given up only 2 runs in 33.1 innings and had struck out 30 while walking only 3. To say he has been the MVP for the Phillies would be an understatement.

Game 1 was in New York and the Phillies were underdogs despite being the defending champions. It was the first World Series game in "new" Yankee Stadium and Lee made it a memorable one. He pitched a complete game 6 hitter and struck out 10. The Yankees could do nothing against him and didn't get more than 2 runners on base in the same inning until the 9th.

Lee will pitch game 4 and game 7 if necessary and could be the reason the Phillies repeat as champions.

Arod

Going into the World Series Arod was hitting a beastly .438 and was starting to lose the reputation for vanishing in the playoffs. But it appears the old Arod is back as he has been shut down by the Phillies pitchers so far this series going 0-8 with 6 strikeouts. If the Yankees want to win the World Series they will need more out of their cleanup hitter.

By the way best joke I have heard in awhile: When news broke that Kate Hudson was pregnant it was shocking, not because she was pregnant but because it was the first time Arod had ever produced in October.

The Return of Pedro

There was lots of hype about game 2 as Pedro Martinez was making his return to Yankee stadium having not pitched there, in the playoffs, since his days with the Red Sox. New Yorkers greeted Pedro with chants of 'who's your daddy' attempting to get under his skin. It didn't really work though.

Pedro went 6 innings giving up 3 earned runs (2 of them coming off solo homeruns) and struck out 8. Besides the two mistakes to Hideki Matsui and Mark Teixiera he pitched really well and looked good for a 38 year old.

He will likely return to New York to pitch in game 5 so Yankees fans will have another shot to try and bring down Pedro. Maybe this time they send someone tougher than Don Zimmer.

Rivera Adds to the Legend

He claims to be 40 but looks more like 55. He has 1 pitch and yet is unhittable. He is Mariano Rivera. Tonight he recorded his record 38th postseason save (10th in the World Series) and did so in style. He was brought in during the 8th inning and got 6 outs including a strikeout of Matt Stairs to end the game.

The fact that he is so dominant with only one pitch is mind boggling. He has only ever given up 1 home run in the World Series back in 2000 to Jay Payton. If the Phillies want to win this series they need to get to the 9th inning with the lead or else they are boned.

Quick Thoughts

- Ryan Howard struck out 4 times in Game 2 which was the first time he had done that since July 21st.

- Utley's walk in the 2nd inning of Game 2 extended his record to 27 consecutive playoff games reaching base safely

- What was Charlie Maneul doing in the 8th inning? Men on 1st and 2nd, 1 out, and a 3-2 count he opts not to send the runners and Utley grounds into an inning ending double play. Could have changed the whole game

- I get it! It's "new" Yankee Stadium. Stop telling me!

- Loved the Jay Z and Alicia Keyes performance before the game. 2 things: she has a MASSIVE ass and Joba Chamberlain is the last person I thought would be bobbing his head during the performance.

- Besides shutting down the Yankees in Game 1 Cliff Lee embarrassed them. His behind the back catch, the condescending slap on the ass to Posada and the lackadaisical catch of the fly ball were all real F yous to the Yankees.

- I use to like Mark Teixiera a lot until my roommate went on and on about how he looks like a moron. Now every time I see him I laugh and can't take him seriously.

- Not nearly enough Kate Hudson close ups for my liking.

- Don't like the Phillies chances going home and starting Cole Hamels. His 6.75 ERA this postseason is BRUTAL.

- Why on earth did the Blue Jays let Matt Stairs go? He is a Canadian hero and one hell of a baseball player. Plus he crushes Busch's during the game like no ones business. Seriously just look at this man:

Random YouTube Video (God Bless America)