Pre-game jitters

At this time last year, I thought the Red Sox would win the World Series and the Phillies could get there. I'm not feeling as strong this year. I think either squad could get there - and the odds are probably better than 25 percent that one will be in the big dance - but something is wrong inside of me.

I don't think it's the questionable status of the Red Sox's ace Josh Beckett, World Series MVP Mike Lowell, All-Star Game MVP J.D. Drew or venerable Phillie Pat Burrell - especially since both teams have gotten this far with little showing from these players except for Drew and Burrell in the first half.

Maybe it's just that this is the year - with the Rays and Brewers in the playoffs while the Yankees and Mets watch - that truly anything can happen.

It will be easier watching the Red Sox - despite the late-night starts - because of their past success and the fact that they're physically falling apart right now. But never doubt the heart of a champion. They may take five, but look for them to squeak past the Angels.

Last year, the Phillies were the patient hunter stalking its prey all season, but lost all control in the playoffs and looked inexperienced and over-matched against the Colorado Rockies. They stalked the Mets down again this year, and I've got to hope - if for nothing else than Christine's sanity - that they've learned to be patient this year. I don't know how confident I would be if/when they play the Cubs, but I see no reason for them not to end CC Sabathia's storybook season in four.

Other series: Rays over White Sox in five; Cubs over Dodgers in three.

Christine's picks: Brewers vs. Phillies: Phillies, no doubt.

Dodgers vs. Cubs: Cubs. The Phils can handle them. And on a selfish note, there's no way I can deal with 10 p.m. game times right now. But, the playoff schedule for a Dodgers series is more conducive to my schedule ... OK, I have no idea and no preference. The winner will be irrelevant in two weeks anyway.

White Sox vs. Rays: Rays. White Sox are going to be wiped after the past two days. Some might think they'll be riding the wave, but I think they'll be too spent.

Red Sox vs. Angels: The last time I made a prediction involving the Red Sox, I picked them to win the division, even though my gut said to go with the Rays - if for no other reason than I didn't want to pick the Sox or Yankees. But this time, I'm going with the gut - Angels. Sorry, Greg.

Other tidbits: In what is hopefully a prelude to Dustin MVPedroia, Charlie M-anager of the Year-anuel and Ryan "Two-time" Howard, Brad Lidge is Comeback Player of the Year. Congrats, I guess, but I didn't think his 2007 was that bad. The one thing I noticed is that he trimmed 140 points off his opponents slugging percentage. His minuscule .269 was the lowest of his career. Only the .290 he posted in 2004 compares.

Kyle Loshe finally got the big contract he wanted last year - four years, $41 million. Much better than getting ready to pitch in the playoffs, I bet.

And, they used to say the expectation to win in New York is unbearable. That's no longer true. Both New York GMs got big contracts as reward for failing to make the playoffs. Ed Wade could have been very rich in that city.

Tomorrow's action: Let's hope young Cole Hamels can quickly dispatch the Brewers so we can post about our second experience ever at a playoff game before Jon Lester takes the hill in Anaheim.

Random story from last year's playoff game ... after it ended, Christine and our friend wanted to get something from the Majestic Clubhouse Store. I chose to go to the bathroom and got out before they did. My eyes were dry, so I gave them a shot of Visine. Some drunk girl thought I was crying. I couldn't convince her I wasn't. She hugged me. I tried to push her away. Very weird. {There will be no tears tomorrow. And I'll keep the drunk girls away from Greg.}

Back to Bay-seball

Now that the Red Sox are a team again, it's time to refocus the blog back on the field, especially since new left fielder Jason Bay had a memorable debut tonight - scoring both runs in a 2-1, 12 inning win over the Athletics.

{Yes, Greg has been glossing over the fact that before tonight, the Phillies were playing good baseball on the field as a team. It matters only when Boston plays well.}

In the 12th, Bay came up with two outs and tripled. After J.D. Drew was intentionally walked, Jed Lowrie hit an infield single to end the game.

Before the game, Theo Epstein said the players felt like a team again. I'm sure a win like this will only solidify those feelings and let them forget the cloud that has been over them.

The Sox remain three games behind the Rays, but expanded their Wild Card lead to 1.5 over the Twins and 3.5 over the Yankees.

Phillies: Not so good tonight. They couldn't gain ground on the Mets and Marlins, who both lost. They still lead the Mets by one game and the Marlins by 1.5, but on a night when Cole Hamels matched up against Kyle Lohse, the young ace should have been able to beat the guy who is having a fluky good year.

Lohse wasn't dominant but kept his Cardinals in the game while young Cole got knocked around for the second straight start. Cardinals 6, Phillies 3.

We couldn't believe the ovation the Cardinals fans gave So Taguchi. Man, if they love him that much, I'm sure the Phils could have dealt him back.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

The 2008 World Series begins Monday

"Oh no, it's tomorrow," Christine said upon realizing what's to come. She'll have to deal with thousands of marauding Red Sox fans and probably some not-too-nice comments coming our way from the Philly denizens as they spot a couple wearing competing colors when the Sox and Phillies square off tomorrow night - the first such meeting since SoxandPhils made its debut.

"Bring it on," I say. Never mind that we have Bartolo Colon against Cole Hamels in the opener; we've faced worse odds than fat Bart vs. the young and talented Mr. Hamels.

Today, the Red Sox look locked and loaded for National League warfare: Josh Beckett was an ace again for seven innings as the Sox beat the Reds 9-0. Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits and set the team's rookie record for stolen bases in a season. The seasons he, Jon Lester and Justin Masterson are having make me really pleased we didn't trade for Johan Santana.

Although Jonathan Papelbon coughed one up Saturday, the Sox came back and took two of three in Cincinnati.

The Phillies, meanwhile, head in the opposite direction. Remember the saying "Tinker to Evers to Chance?" Today, it was, "Utley to Gordon to ... uh-oh." After Tom Gordon got two outs in the 10th, there were two ground balls to second; each would have ended the inning. But first Utley erred, then Gordon erred. Game over: Cardinals 7, Phils 6. Combined with Saturday, when Kyle Lohse outpitched Adam Eaton (who again didn't stink!?!), that's two straight losses since Friday night when the Phillies impersonated a football team.

Travel update: Our friends have the cutest little Red Sox hat for their baby. Every infant should have one. {No way. Cute little Phillies hats only. And even though Greg didn't mention it, Kush is cute with or without the hat.}

I gave my Dad an unexpected Father's Day gift - unexpected in that it surprised me, too. I got rid of a couple boxes of junk I have left in his attic - mostly old books, scorecards and magazines. Christine's pleased with how much I threw out, but I salvaged a few that I'll be sharing with the blog once this week's craziness subsides.

Sox-Phils interleague history, 2007: The Phillies and Red Sox wrapped up their exhibition schedule with a two-game set in Philly. I didn't want to go. (I'm not a fan of exhibition baseball.) But when I heard our new Japanese import Daisuke Matsuzaka was scheduled to pitch in the finale, I decided I should go because who knows when I'd get to see him live.

I don't remember much, except it was cold and Dice-K wasn't impressive.

They didn't play any meaningful games in 2007 because the Rockies swept the Phillies out of World Series contention. Tomorrow begin the preview of this year's fall classic. We'll update with our story and pics (unless Christine gets so mad at me that she won't edit the photos) as soon as we can.