Shoe scum

Memo to Major League Baseball: As much as you'd like to forget it, the last two World Championships have been won by the Phillies and Red Sox, two teams that are on a collision course for the 2009 World Series.

But instead of getting the respect of a champion, our teams are being treated like something you'd scrape off a giant sneaker.

The Phillies, with the same schedule they got when they played the Rockies in 2007, will play their first three games when their fans are at school, at work or in bed.

The first two games are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Game 3 is scheduled for 9:37 p.m. Saturday.

What a crock. It's so bad that many fans are selling their tickets. Christine and I considered StubHubbing it for Thursday's game, but we couldn't pull the trigger on tickets that still would have cost $100 each after fees. Yahoo's game updates better be working well this week.

At least the Phillies know for sure when they'll be playing. The Red Sox still have to wait for the Tigers and Twins to sort things out before the Yankees announce which series they want. C'mon, does the opponent really make a difference as to which format you would select?

Anyway, everyone assumes the Yankees will opt for a series that will give the Red Sox 9:37 p.m. starts on Thursday and Friday against the Angels. That's about the time I nudge Christine to go to sleep. Within an hour and a half, she gives in, which means I might get to see three innings (at Red Sox playoff pace) before conking out.

They haven't announced times beyond Saturday, but I've heard that the Red Sox will play Sunday around noon and Monday, if necessary, at 8:37 p.m.

Case closed: In game 161, Brad Lidge found a new toy: a cut fastball. That will alleviate any 9th inning concerns.

Explanation: The picture above was taken during Sunday's game. Even the SoxandPhils photographer let her mind wander during the exhibition-like finale of the regular season. Actually, Christine just thought it was funny that when she looked down from our seats in the top row of the stadium, she saw a giant Phanatic sneaker with children sliding out of it.