Perfect night ruined

I was looking forward to tonight all week because the Phillies were off and MLB Network was showing the Red Sox-Rays game.

But I missed the beginning of the game because I decided to hustle and mow the grass because of a rainy weekend forecast. When I came inside, there was no score in the third, so I assumed Josh Beckett was in control. Oops. He soon lost it and gave up seven runs in 4 2/3 innings. His ERA is 7.22. Remember when I said Cole Hamels is reminding me of Josh Beckett in 2008? Well, the 2009 Beckett is making me long for the 2008 Beckett.

But he wasn't the story of the game. Matt Garza took a perfect game into the 7th inning. Jacoby Ellsbury led off that inning with a comebacker. Garza might have slowed it down, preventing the shortstop from making a play. It was a real disappointing end to a no-hit bid. There were only two other Sox baserunners, both walks. I was half-rooting for the no-hitter. The Sox lost, 13-0.

Some comic relief in the 8th: Terry Francona replaced Tuesday's goat (Javier Lopez) with Wednesday's hero (Jonathan Van Every). But not only did the outfielder pitch, the pitcher took his spot in right field.

There will be a SoxandPhils World Series

We just have to wait until 2009. But it will be a clash of the 2007 and 2008 champions.

Meantime, we have this little 2008 World Series to get through.

Four days after the Phillies clinched the National League title, they finally know who they will face this week: It will be a PhilsandRays World Series.

That's right, a thrilling seven-game American League Championship Series ended with the better team winning. The Red Sox ran out of pixie dust and, for the first time since 2003, found themselves unable to win a seven-game playoff series.

Jon Lester pitched well, but Matt Garza was better. He dominated a Red Sox team that had several quality at-bats but couldn't score. Rays 3, Red Sox 1. Series: Rays 4, Red Sox 3.

So now the Phillies pit their 28-year championship drought against a team that's only been around for a decade. I think the teams are equally pitted; each one is talented and having a magical season.

Historically, the Phillies haven't fared well against the Rays. Their all-time record against the Rays (then known as the Devil Rays) is 5-10. They haven't faced each other since 2006 after playing each year from 1998 to 2001.

There aren't many connections between the two franchises. Only 21 players have played for each team. The notables include Travis Lee, Kevin Stocker, Roberto Hernandez and Cory Lidle.

We have two days to delve into the history and stats before Game 1 in Tampa on Wednesday. I'm already sick of the cowbell. Christine is confident because the Rays celebrated tonight as if they won it all. I think it's going to be a tough series, but I'll hope with Christine that the Phillies end it in five. That has nothing to do with the fact we have tickets to Game 5 (if it's necessary).

Go Phils!

[Photo credit: Getty Images]

One coin flip away

A week ago, the SoxandPhils championship face-off seemed tantalizingly close. But after the Rays took three in a row, and nearly a fourth, it seemed like the World Series would go on without the Sox.

But tonight they lived to play another game, beating the Rays 4-2 behind a not masterful but sturdy Josh Beckett and some clutch hitting including Jason Varitek's first hit of the series - his first home run in a month, which gave the Sox the lead for good in the 6th.

Tomorrow it's Jon Lester vs. Matt Garza for the right to face the Phillies. The Rays have the talent and the home-field advantage; the Sox have the momentum and the experience.

Once again, it's a coin flip. If it comes up in favor of the Red Sox, I'll be wondering if I have the guts to wear my colors into Philadelphia for Game 5 of the World Series, and Christine will be glad that most of the nation will be pulling for the Phillies, not just taking cheap shots at the city's fans. {I'm highly advising Greg to leave the hat behind. He may root for the Red Sox, but I'd still like him to return home safely.}

Oh, and TBS better not have any more technical difficulties for Game 7. I'd like to see the whole game.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]

Got 'em right where we want 'em

I was about to go with the "I'm never going on a road trip again during the playoffs because the Red Sox are losing the American League Championship Series" theme for tonight's entry, but then I remembered something. Two things, actually.

This team was down 0-3 in the 2004 ALCS and 1-3 in last year's league championship round.

Never mind today's 9-1 trouncing by the Rays, who won the last two games and lead the series 2-1. These Red Sox, of the champion era, play best when they're down and given their last rites.

Or, perhaps, the Rays are just a better team this year. If so, I'll tip my hat and wish them luck and a loss against the Phillies, or luck and a win against the Dodgers. But until then, this series isn't over.

Although it was a bit frustrating to see Jon Lester get knocked around, David Ortiz continue to struggle and the entire offense make Matt Garza look the pre-2008 playoff version of Josh Beckett.

Tim Wakefield, who hasn't pitched in three weeks, will try to even the series up tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Phillies have the late game tonight. They had tied it 3-3 in the 6th when Ryan Howard scored on a wild pitch, but Chad Durbin, who has been in Christine's doghouse lately, allowed a leadoff home run to Casey Blake in the bottom of the inning. Scott Eyre relieved him, but Howard threw the ball away on a Rafael Furcal bunt, allowing another run to score. The Dodgers are up 5-3, and they're still threatening to add more. The Phillies still pain my wife, who wants me to finish this entry before L.A. scores again.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]