Most of my postseason predictions were like Stevie Wonder throwin' darts, but I hit a bullseye on Yankees in 6...

• Where to start?  How about the runners-up?  I cannot remember a starting pitcher in a World Series game going to the mound with less than what Pedro Martinez had last night.  For you Red Sox fans that could not watch, he was featuring similar stuff to John Smoltz when the Yankees ended his brief AL East career earlier this season.  Pedro has guile, but not a whole lot else.
• The Yankees were the better team and were always going to win this series.  However, Charlie Manuel did not give his team a chance.  He had no starting pitching besides Cliff Lee, but he did not push Lee to his max.  Yankees 4, Lee 2 is the final score.
• I don't care if Hideki Matsui spends the entire 2010 season with his knees packed in ice pretending that he cannot speak English on the bench, he's earned a one-year contract.  He has always been a great streak hitter and he picked the best time to get hot.  "Godzilla" indeed...
• We came into this postseason talking about closers, the position many (Billy Beane and his 0 rings) call "overrated."  You can win a division title with Brian Fuentes, Huston Street and Ryan Franklin, but Mariano Rivera or those who do close impressions win World Series.  It was like a game of "Survivor" and 7 of the 8 playoff closers broke at some point.  Not Mo.  Five more years!  Five more years!!
• Intentional or otherwise, ESPN, Fox and MLB made a wise choice to put the "Core Four" in the spotlight instead of Alex Rodriguez.  Going in, I thought A-Rod's quest would be covered like Peyton Manning's when he finally "won the big one."  To do that justice, steroids would have to be in the lead of every story.  Instead, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte (the honest steroid user), Jorge Posada and Rivera were selected as the main attraction on baseball's grandest stage.  Between cheaters and umpires, baseball has an integrity issue.  This was a good call.
• If you took an anonymous poll of baseball players and coaches and asked them who the worst umpire was, I GUARANTEE you Joe West would be in the top three.  Yet, there he was behind the plate in Game 6 of the World Series calling a moving strike zone.  We need to stop yelling at the umps and start yelling at the owners and Bud Selig.
• Where was Brian Cashman last night?  This was his championship more than any player or coach or owner.  Even Damaso Marte made him look like a genius.
• Joe Girardi had a horrific ALCS, but he bounced back with a solid World Series.  He learned from his mistakes.  He paired down the bullpen to Marte, Joba Chamberlain and Rivera.  And he stuck to his guns with Jose Molina, which earned him a pivotal Game 2 win.  More than anything, Girardi won this World Series in the regular season.  Despite a close divisional race, he managed to provide enough rest for his three starters and closer, so they could carry him in the postseason.
• This was the best team that smart money could buy.  They trimmed 8 million off last year's payroll from a team that did not even make the playoffs.  They have about $50 million coming off this season's payroll.  It's always been money spent, but now it's money well spent.
• Congratulations to Mike Mussina for creating the "loser bridge" from the 2000 championship to the 2009 title winners.  "Moose" pitched in pinstripes from 2001-08.  As the Brits would say, "Unlucky."
• NY media started the season whining about the new ballpark's tiny dimensions and country club atmosphere.  As the weather got cold, the ballpark did not play embarrassingly small in the postseason, but I still think right-to-right-center needs to be pushed back to the old dimensions.  As for the noise, I could hear 'em chanting 3,000 miles away.
• On to #28, the Yankees should re-sign Matsui and Xavier Nady if they can do it for cheap.  They can clog up the DH hole together.  Johnny Damon has always been a mercenary, so I expect him to go where the cash is flowing.  Cashman is not a sentimentalist, so he won't spring for an old, popular outfielder.  The Yankees one big change will be welcoming a new left-fielder (Jason Bay, Matt Holiday, Jeremy Hermida, etc.).  Otherwise, bring back Pettitte and see if Phil Hughes and Chamberlain can flourish in the back end of the rotation. 
• 3 months and 2 days until pitchers and catchers report...

Jeter and Mo make me feel old and young at the same time

Tonight, the villain comes back for one last scare. 

Pedro Martinez will take the Bronx mound in Game 6 donning a Phillies jersey, but with the Yankees hopes in his right hand. 

We have been here before.  Many times in fact.  Martinez has pitched six postseason games against the Yankees, including Game 2 of this World Series, but this feels like the curtain call.

Pedro vs. the Yankees will soon be the stuff of legend. 

It all started as a Montreal myth that turned out to be very real.  Martinez was a hot shot string-bean righty baffling the NL East and making the Montreal Expos watchable once every five days.  With the dawn of interleague play, the Yankees and Expos were matched annually in the mid to late 90's.  In a three-game set, the Yankees would win two and Pedro would dominate the other.  

He was a fun fascination once a year, but the story took an uncomfortable turn when the Boston Red Sox pulled off the trade that changed their franchise.  At the time, we had no idea how big or how funny this trade would turn out to be.  On November 18th, 1997, Pedro Martinez was traded to the Red Sox for Carl Pavano.

Remember the context, in 1998, we are right in the middle of the Yankees dynasty and the steroid era.  In Pedro's first year in Beantown, the Yankees would win 125 games en route to a World Series.  Meanwhile, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa would clout 60+ homeruns, while every big league pitcher cowered in fear.  Everyone, save for Pedro.

Martinez went 19-7 with a 2.89 ERA.  He was just getting started.

In 1999, he turned it up a gear.  To earn his second Cy Young, Martinez went 23-4 with a stunning 2.07 ERA, while striking out 313 batters in just 213.1 innings.  For context, David Cone was second on the ERA leaderboard at 3.45.  While Martinez and the Yankees would have their first postseason clash in the 1999 ALCS, it was a dud.  Pedro dominated the Yankees in Game 3, while New York took the other four games.

Two things to remember about the rivalry at this time: One, the Yankees fans were unbelievably cocky when it came to the Red Sox.  Boston had never beaten them in anything meaningful and there was no evidence to see the tides turning. 

Second and most important, the fans loved facing Pedro.  He was a show unto himself.  At 5'11", 170, he was somehow a giant on the mound.  He had a blazing fastball, a time-stopping change-up and a knee-buckling curveball.  He was the best and he owned it.  

Last week, Martinez claimed that he took offense to the idea that New York fans loved to hate him.  Lies.  He loved to be hated and he knew (and still does) that the fans admired him deep down in their soul.  If you loved baseball, how could you not enjoy watching the ultimate pitcher?

But love on both sides was repressed.  As the rivalry grew, so did Martinez's feistiness.  The Yankees were not hitting Pedro, yet somehow, he was starting to lose.  1-0 or 2-1.  The Yanks were great and they did just enough to survive their nemesis until the bullpen blew it or he wore down. 

Martinez answered with body blows.  In one day game, he sent Derek Jeter and Alfonso Soriano to the hospital.  He pointed to Jorge Posada's head and let him know that he was next.  He threatened to drill Babe Ruth, who has been dead for 50+ years.  He even beat up an old man (Don Zimmer).  The Red Sox finally were the bully in the relationship.  Pedro forced his way to the dinner table and his friends (David Ortiz, Curt Schilling, Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon) would eat all the food.  

Ironically, as the Red Sox grew in confidence thanks to Martinez, he began a steep decline.  In the 2003 ALCS, he had no answers and his shoulder was barking, so he pegged Karim Garcia and incited a near riot.  Later in Game 7, he wore down with the game on the line and watched as the Yankees celebrated at his expense.  

Finally in 2004, the Red Sox overcame their demons, but with no help from Pedro.  He lost Game 2, left Game 5 trailing and was hammered in relief in Game 7 of the ALCS.  Martinez was never one to hide his feelings, which led to the infamous "the Yankees are my daddy" quote and the still circulating "Who's your daddy?" cheer.

The curse was reversed, but Martinez's career was left in tatters.  The media (as they always do) blamed his psyche, but his shoulder had simply given way.  Pedro pitched four humbling years with the Mets. 

And now he returns again.  He was great in Game 2, but on the losing end.  With Game 6 fast approaching, Martinez gets the ball.  He has his last chance to crush Yankees spirits, while New York waves goodbye to their favorite enemy. 

It's a sports karmic battle for the ages.  Who deserves the last laugh?  The bully or the "Evil Empire".  From a karmic standpoint, probably no one.  But I can assure you this, we're headed for some great theater.

Is it a bad sign if the Phillies hold open auditions for a closer today?

• The Phillies are good enough to take late leads in Game 6 and 7, but I don't see how they close out the bottom of the 9th in both games.  We could be headed for one almighty pie-face.
• Speaking of faces, my buddy Phil has come up with a new term that better describes the horrific facial hair sported by way too many Phillies..."face hair."  Say it out loud and you'll see how gross it sounds.  From Jayson Werth to Raul Ibanez to Brad Lidge, there is way too much "face hair" on this Phillies team. 
• Please allow me the opportunity to answer the most popular question of the playoffs, how old is Matt Stairs?  He is 41.  My brother cannot decide whether he looks more like Gary Busey or Wilford Brimley.  Either way, human beings should not mate with walruses.  (Note A: If Stairs homers to win in Game 6 or 7, I will beat myself with my computer for that joke.) (Note B: If he turns out to be my color commentator in 15 years, he will beat me to death with a baseball bat.)
• In this day and age, I cannot see the media voting for a losing team's player to win World Series MVP, but if the Phillies go down, Chase Utley deserves consideration.  Alex Rodriguez is the MVP of the playoffs, but Utley is the MVP of this series.  Forget getting him out, the Yanks are struggling to keep him in the park.
• Do you think Charlie Manuel got Brad Lidge up in the 9th just to boost his confidence?  Who was he going to come in and face?  A-Rod!!!  That would have been insane.  Manuel needs a comfortable margin in Game 6 and then he can have Lee be his closer in Game 7.
• Speaking of meltdowns, we needed a camera on Shane Victorino when both Raul Ibanez and Ben Francisco screwed up plays in the 8th inning as Victorino's replacements.  Fox picked up audio of the "Flyin' Hawaiian" arguing with Manuel (who should have removed him in the 3rd by the way) when he was replaced.  He must have been livid watching them open the door for a Yankees comeback. 
• Oregon RB LeGarrette Blount punches someone in the face and gets suspended for at least 8 games.  Florida LB Brandon Spikes gouges another players eyes and gets suspended for a half.  Sounds fair.  For future reference to all my enemies, I would much rather be punched in the face than eye gouged.  Urban Meyer should have no say in this decision.  He is a coach trying to win a national championship and he's not suspending his best defensive player.  Where is the SEC?  How about the always meddling NCAA?  I HATE college football.  I love it, but I really HATE it. 
• If you had the under on games it would take Allen Iverson to be unhappy in Memphis, congratulations you won!  ONE GAME.  AI: "I had a problem with my butt from sitting on that bench so long. That's the only thing I got a problem with."  God told Iverson to go to Memphis, but apparently God's work can only be done on the court. 
• Speaking of delusional people, Stephon Marbury believes Mike D'Antoni should be fired.  Not only did the fallen Starbury show up at the Knicks home opener (only to get moved from his courtside seat), he actually believes anyone cares about his opinion.  Padded room or "Girls Gone Wild Island", Marbury will end up in one of those two places.  Maybe both. 
• For the record, I am the polar opposite of xenophobic.  For the most part, I prefer foreigners to Americans.  However, we can all admit that most foreigners are a little crazy.  Like Manu Ginobili.  There are no sane Americans that would swipe a bat out of mid-air with their bare hand and then casually pick it up and hand it to a security guard.  Australians...yes.  Eastern Europeans...sure.  Canadians...maybe.  Americans...hell no. 
• The Saints and Vikings look primed to lock-up the top two seeds in the NFC.  That's great news for the Eagles.  In my NFL preview, I predicted the Eagles would win the division, but fade in the playoffs because they are not built to win in cold weather.  However, they are the fastest offense in football playing indoors on turf.  Their toughest test might be surviving a home game to start the postseason.

 Brad Lidge's "face hair" is even more disturbing than his pitching.

As any regular reader knows, I'm a huge believer in sports karma.  As a fan, I paid a steep price (two football thrashings) for two World Series wins, but I'll take it.

• Quick, funny post on Alex Rodriguez later today, but I cannot get over the career 180 he's pulled in six short months.  From A-Roid to Clutch-Rod, he has buried so many demons in one season.  Did you know that he only has two hits in the World Series? 
• First guess, second guess, whatever, Cliff Lee needed to start Game 4.  For one, they needed someone to match CC Sabathia.  Joe Blanton did fine, but he left trailing.  And second, the Phillies might have Game 5 in the bag, but they have to win Game 6 and 7 also.  Pedro Martinez and Cole Hamels/J.A. Happ against Andy Pettitte and Sabathia in New York is not a recipe for a championship.  They need to start hitting...a lot.
• Jayson Werth is like Jason Bay.  He can be pitched to, but if you make a mistake, he will hit it to the far reaches of the Earth.
• Cole Hamels "can't wait for it [the season] to end."  And, you're pitching like it.  After that comment, how could they possibly throw him in Game 7?
• Derek Jeter is the only other player that I've seen pull off Johnny Damon's double steal of second and then third.  However, Jeter did not do it in the 9th inning of a World Series game.  Guts and instincts.  That play should have changed nothing for the Phillies, but it unnerved Brad Lidge, which is too easy to do.
• With all the umpire and rules complaining I do, please let me tell you why I LOVE baseball so much.  In basketball, Michael Jordan always gets to take the last shot.  In football, Joe Montana throws the final pass.  In baseball, you don't get to choose the hitter with the game on the line.  Sometimes it's Pedro Feliz and sometimes it's Alex Rodriguez.  In a playoff series, no one on the 25-man roster can hide.  Charlie Manuel waited four games to summon Lidge from the bullpen, but he was always going to factor in this series.  You cannot hide on a baseball diamond. 
• Meanwhile, Philly fans did have a chance to celebrate a win over New York Sunday.  The Eagles hammered the Giants.  Two questions.  How in God's name did the Eagles lose to the Raiders?  It's the most inexplicable regular season loss in recent memory.  And, who are these Giants?  They are soft, but the personnel is the same.  It's time to admit that the Giants are sorely missing Steve Spagnuolo.  Spags gave them an aggressive identity without putting them at a schematic disadvantage.  New DC Bill Sheridan is sending pressure left and right without acknowledging the team's gaping hole at safety ever since Kenny Phillips was lost for the season.
• Brett Favre is no dummy.  All along, he knew the Vikings were a perfect fit for the aging version of his game.  He never gets touched, plays the majority of his games indoors and hands off to the best back in the NFL when things are not going right.  That's safer than most retirement plans these days.
• If Derek Jeter left the Yankees to go to the Red Sox, I would not boo him when he returned to Yankees Stadium.  It would break my sports rooting heart, but I could never imagine booing him.  I understand why the Packers fans booed Favre, but the fans are always going to be hurt more than the player.
• The Dolphins were thinking of cutting Ted Ginn.  They would trade him for a bag of wide receiver gloves.  That's just lack of imagination.  When you have a player as dynamic as Ginn, you find a way to use his talents.  Just think to yourself Dolphins coaches, what would Sean Payton do?
• San Diego's Vincent Jackson is on the short list of best receivers in the NFL.
• The NFL is starting to cave on drafting athlete-turned-passer quarterbacks.  Vince Young, Pat White, Dennis Dixon, Tim Tebow, Michael Vick and others will have a place in the league.  How long will it be until the NFL hires offensive coordinators that cater to their talents?  Up until now, they've all tried to fit square pegs in round holes.  Why not hire a Rich Rodriguez or Chip Kelly type coach who could really turn Young into a force?
• Great analysis by CBS commentator Gary Danielson on Tim Tebow's flawed throwing motion.  "Football Jesus" drops the ball too low in his throwing motion and exposes it to speed rushers coming off the edge.  Tebow has so many challenges ahead of him if he wants to succeed at the next level.  As for this level, he's on his way to another BCS Title game and possibly a second Heisman.  As good as it gets...
• Watching USC get dismantled Saturday, my initial thought was "Bartender!"  I thought this was the end of an era.  After taking some time to collect my thoughts, I realized it's the start of a new era.  The Trojans are in something of a rebuilding mode.  College football is about quarterbacks.  The BCS Title game will be Tim Tebow vs. Colt McCoy (two four year contributors).  After suffering through John David Booty and barely getting to know Mark Sanchez, USC has Matt Barkley.  He will do great things for this program, assuming the coaches can create some continuity around him (meaning: lock-up OC Jeremy Bates for 4 years).  
• Oregon looks as good as anyone right now.  Sustaining success has always been their problem, so I won't be surprised if Oregon St. or somebody else gets them.  They should be the first team other than USC to represent the Pac-10 in the Rose Bowl since Washington St. in 2002/03.  They would be National Championship contenders if not for Boise St., who has no claim to the top spot, but has to be ahead of the Ducks.
• If Texas keeps focused, they can book their tickets to Pasadena.  In recent years, I'd be worried that Texas A&M would jump up and bite them at the end.  After getting jobbed last year by the BCS, they should have their eyes on the prize.
• Iowa is dreadful, but still ranked #1 by some of the computer polls.  "Computers have not seen us play. If they had eyes, they would say: Are you kidding me?"  That's Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz, who I assume would much rather take his shot at the Ducks in the first Rose Bowl than be exposed by an SEC team in the big Rose Bowl. 
• Georgia Tech put up 56 more points running a version of a century-old offense.  How many Big 12 North titles has Nebraska left on the table since they tried to "modernize" their offense?  And all because, they got embarrassed by a Miami team that had NFL 1st round picks up and down their two-deep roster.  By the way, Eric Crouch and Co. put up 36 points in that game.  The Huskers should admit their mistakes and go back to their roots.  

If Masoli went right, USC went left.  They were 5 steps behind all night.

Two World Series games, tough roadies for USC and Texas plus Brett Favre's homecoming...

• In two hours of post-game coverage on ESPN and MLB Net, not one mention of two more blown calls by the "Six Blind Mice", are we getting used to it?  With Mark Teixeira coming around, how many runs could they have cost the Yanks in the 7th?  The second blown call kept Ryan Howard from putting the fear of God in all Yankees fans.  However, Howard could have hit eight times off A.J. Burnett and Mariano Rivera and still not made contact last night.
• Ever since he signed with the Yanks, the national media has mocked A.J. Burnett like he's the second-coming of Carl Pavano.  Shouldn't we wait to see if he actually flames out?  Here are the first year facts: He took the ball every five days for the entire regular season and he's put the Yankees in a position to win all four of his postseason starts.  Is a 13-9 pitcher with a 4.04 ERA worth all that money?  In this case, yes.  He has the ability to win you a game all by himself on the sport's biggest stage, which is invaluable in New York.
• The Alex Rodriguez haters are back in full force.  I refuse to criticize at this stage for two reasons.  One, I saw it coming.  Two, it's baseball.  Nobody stays hot for a month.  With all the off days, he was bound to cool off, which is why it's imperative that Teixeira pick up the slack.
• Congrats to Joe Girardi.  All-in-all, his two questionable moves paid off.  Jerry Hairston singled to key the 7th inning rally, while Jose Molina got the best out of Burnett and picked a runner off first base.  I still would not do it again, if the same match-up presents itself in Game 6.
• Pedro Martinez is the greatest villain in modern New York sports.  Last night, he said that he would be "the king of New York" if he pitched for the Yankees.  He believes Yankee fans secretly admire his competitiveness and tenacity.  Sitting there, listening to him talk, I smiled.  We do.  We actually do.
• Follow my weekend tweets on the series at twitter.com/mooresports...
• "The Cocktail Party" will get plenty of hype, but Florida is due to play a little offense and Georgia has been happy to relent this season.
• The game of the week is in Eugene, OR.  If the Ducks played an SEC schedule as opposed to starting the season with a no-chance road game in Boise, they would be national title contenders.  They have been so much more impressive recently than USC, Texas, Florida or Alabama.  The Trojans need to make a defensive adjustment.  Move Taylor Mays into the box because his knee injury looks like it's cost him a step or two, so let him go forward and hit instead of moving laterally in coverage.  On the other side, Matt Barkley has played his best on the road.  In fact, the Trojans are featuring their most explosive offensive unit since the Leinart/Bush years.  With a raucous crowd on Halloween night, we should be in for a classic.  I'll take the more experienced Trojans to win the turnover battle (Oregon's rookie backs will fumble) and the game...31-27, USC.
• This is THE GAME for Texas.  If they can survive Stillwater, the rest of the schedule is smooth-sailing.  Oklahoma State will not have Dez Bryant for the remainder of the season, but at least they have closure.  They've played fine without him.  The Horns don't play like a National Title team, so I'll take the Cowboys in a stunner.
• The rest of the college football slate looks like Week 1.  Ohio State dares to take on New Mexico St. in Columbus, while LSU plays "local rival" Tulane.  If we don't get a playoff, can't we take scheduling out of these money-grubbers hands?!?
• The NFL's early games are slightly better than usual thanks to no Sunday nighter.  The New York-Philly blood war moves from the diamond to the gridiron for three hours.  The Giants offense was miserable last week after their defense was strifed by the Saints a week previous.  So, both units will likely play well or badly against the Eagles, who are the ultimate momentum team.  Philly wants a track meet.  "Shady" McCoy will get the start in place of Brian Westbrook to go along with young speedsters Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.  If the game is played between the tackles, the Giants win.  If it's played on the edges, Philly wins.  I'll take the Eagles at home.
• The Broncos undefeated start comes to an abrupt end in Baltimore.  Each week, there is a game I feel great about. Last week, I loved the Steelers to end the Vikings perfect start.  This week, I expect the Ravens, the more desperate team, to dominate Denver.
• Another good bet, after last week's embarrassment, the Bears will cover whatever line Vegas throws their way against the Browns.
• The 2009 NFL season has led up to this point.  Vikings at Packers, Brett Favre returning to Lambeau.  We could see grisly, fat men with cheeseheads sobbing like children.  We could see a standing ovation or a torrid of insults.  Nothing would surprise me.  Favre could throw for five TDs or five picks.  Truthfully, I have no idea.  But my best guess: The Packers defend their home turf.

Not too much to say about an old-fashioned butt-kicking...

• Cliff Lee was remarkable.  As I said in the pitching preview, he's the Yankees worst nightmare.  He won't let them take pitches and he makes the left-handed bats (Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon) look silly. 
• Quick question: Why was Lee out there pushing himself in the 9th inning?  Charlie Manuel is insane if he does not bring Lee back on three-days rest for Game 4 and then again for a Game 7.  The drop-off from Lee to Pedro Martinez, Cole Hamels and J.A. Happ is Everest to the Rockies.  The Rockies are nice, but you don't need a sherpa to climb them.
• If Yankees fans are concerned, they have a right, but don't worry about Lee.  He cannot win the series by himself.  The Phillies lineup is a far greater problem.  Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are much tougher outs than anyone in the Angels lineup.  Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino are far more dangerous than Chone Figgins.  There is some weakness in the bottom third, but this is not your typical National League squad.
• The World Series will test your self-belief and Phil Hughes has been found wanting.  The Yankees host of young pitchers were scared out of the strike zone by the stage last night.  Maybe, they will fight back after getting their feet wet.  More likely, Joe Girardi will turn to Mariano Rivera for 5 or 6 outs if the Yanks have a lead tonight.
• As for Game 2, the immediate pressure is on A.J. Burnett to get off to a good start.  However, the story of the game will be written by the Yankees lineup.  They should hammer Martinez.  He has nothing but tricks, which should not work on a mostly veteran lineup that is familiar with him. 
• Quick prediction: The winner of Game 2 scores 10+ runs.
• Who honestly cares about the Cavs falling to 0-2?  I should write it down and see how many people remember it come next June. 
• Reggie Bush is already talking about the Saints going 16-0.  I love watching Bush play, but he's always gotten ahead of himself in his pro career.  To play Dr. Freud, he seems like he has a confidence problem at this level, so he overcompensates by being arrogant.  His self-belief was quiet and unshakeable at USC.
• As for his Rose Bowl nemesis, Vince Young will get the start Sunday.  Matt Leinart and Brady Quinn will get second chances because their first chances were so short-lived.  If Young fails again, he's looking at "Wildcat" or back-up duty on his next contract.
• I never thought I'd say this, but Brett Favre is not getting enough coverage this week.  The first Packers-Vikings game was overhyped.  It was played in the friendly-confines of the Metrodome against a rebuilt Packers defense that barely new Favre.  THIS IS THE GAME!!!  This is the human element of sports.  We get to see these people that worshipped Favre react to his return in a rivals uniform.  Sports is live drama and there will be a whole lot of live melodrama happening in Lambeau Sunday.
• Needless to say, I was down last night after the Yankees putrid effort in Game 1, but Coach Taylor picked me right up.  That's right folks...Friday Night Lights is back!  FNL is reason enough to get DirecTV (note: if you do switch to DirecTV, let me know cause then we both get a $100 credit).  If it's not the best show on television, it's running neck-and-neck with Mad Men.  When you find yourselves at a crossroads in life, just ask yourself, what would Riggins do?
• Clear eyes, full hearts...

The Philadelphia Phillies win the World Series if...

2008 Brad Lidge comes out of the bullpen.

In the ALCS, the balance of power shifted to New York when Brian Fuentes failed to close out the Yankees in Game 2.  The Phillies have to win the games that are there to be won.  Lidge needs to continue his perfect postseason.

The Phillies speedsters run wild.

The Twins never got out of the starting gate and the Angels stole a handful bases that had little to no effect.  So far, it's much ado about nothing.  The Phillies are known for stealing bases at a high percentage, but they'd be wise to push the envelope with Andy Pettitte likely starting just one game in the series.

Cliff Lee outpitches CC Sabathia.

Charlie Manuel should match Lee with CC in Games 1, 4 and 7.  He is their best and he needs to be at his best.  Remember, Lee spoiled the Yankees stadium opener by beating them and Sabathia back in April with the Indians.  He needs to be the World Series MVP.

The New York Yankees win the World Series if...

Derek Jeter gets the pie-face.

Of the Yankees regulars, only the Captain did not come through with a walk-off hit and the whipped cream spoils this season.  Mr. November gets another shot at his favorite month.  The Yankees lived off late comeback wins all season.  How could they win the World Series without an A.J. Burnett special delivery?

Mark Teixeira is the hitting hero.

Alex Rodriguez will cool off or the Phillies will walk him.  Either way, he won't be able to dominate this series.  Hideki Matsui will be neutralized by the no-DH rule, while Jorge Posada is not streaky enough to carry the load.  The Yanks need Tex to break out in a big way.

They relax and enjoy themselves.

The 90's Yankees were a great World Series team.  In fact, they won an unheard of 14 straight World Series games.  How?  They always felt pressure to win the pennant, but played relaxed baseball against the National League.  The Phillies are a worthy competitor, but they don't bring the anxiety of a Red Sox ALCS or the Angels who "own the Yankees."  I expect the Yankees to play their best ball of the season.

Final Analysis

Game 1 is key.  If the Yankees hold serve, they'll handle Pedro Martinez in Game 2.  If not, wise Pedro could prey on their anxiety.  But I believe in CC Sabathia.  He has been the ultimate horse all season and he should give them a chance to win every time he takes the ball.  Joba Chamberlain will step into the set-up role in front of the great Mariano Rivera.  Teixeira showed signs in the last two ALCS games that he's primed to explode.  And, Jeter will have his moment.

Prediction

New York Yankees in 6

Here is the position-by-position breakdown:

Catcher

Jorge Posada vs. Carlos Ruiz

Ironically, both catchers were signed as second basemen with bad feet, so they were moved behind the plate as pros.  Posada has seen and done it all, but he's had a tumultuous postseason.  His defense and pitcher management have been called into question and he's done little to prove his doubters wrong.  Meanwhile, he's hit like a 27-year-old catcher (he's 37) including two clutch homeruns.  Despite all his experience, he has to be the worst baserunner in this series.

Carlos Ruiz is the best damn career .246 hitter that I've ever seen.  For whatever reason, he is a brutal out in a clutch spot.  He outshines Posada in the leadership category and while I'd rather have Posada for a career or a season, I'd take Ruiz for the next seven games.

Advantage: Phillies

First Base

Mark Teixeira vs. Ryan Howard

Overall, Teixeira has struggled at the plate this October, although he's had his moments (ALDS Game 2 walk-off, ALCS Game 5 3-run double).  He's swinging the stick much better from the right-hand side, which is good news considering the Phils will feature lefty after lefty.  In the field, he's been the best defensive player of the postseason (any team, any position). 

Howard showed the ability to carry a team for an entire series.  Like A-Rod, Howard was immense in the LCS en route to an MVP trophy.  However, he hit just .207 against lefties this season and he'll see two good ones in CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte.  The Yankees have fed off their opponents defensive miscues in the last two series and Howard is a liability at first base.

Advantage: Yankees

Second Base

Robinson Cano vs. Chase Utley

Cano is in good form coming into his first World Series.  He has hits in five straight games and has played a dynamic second base (ALCS Game 2 aside).  The national media would pick Utley in a walk over Cano, but the stats are much closer than you'd think.  Cano actually outslugged Utley .520 to .508 in the regular season.

Utley gets treated like the Derek Jeter of the Phillies thanks to his toughness.  He's coming off a rough NLCS in which he struggled defensively and drove in just one run.  On this stage though, I'd rather have Utley's experience than Cano's penchant for daydreaming.

Advantage: Phillies

Shortstop

Derek Jeter vs. Jimmy Rollins

Remember back to the World Baseball Classic, Jeter was getting treated like a charity case, while Rollins was considered the far better choice.  Not anymore.  Jeter is looking to put the finishing touches on one of his greatest seasons and win his 5th ring in the process.  Here's what people don't understand about Derek Jeter: He does not raise the level of his game in the postseason; he just plays HIS game despite the high pressure atmosphere.  He is a .317 career hitter and a .308 career postseason hitter.

Rollins has seen his game decline since his 2007 MVP season.  He had a below-average regular season for a player of his talent.  He came through with a big hit to win Game 4 of the NLCS off Jonathan Broxton, but he is homerless in the postseason.  Even worse, he has not stolen a base in the playoffs.  He'll have to terrorize the Yankees on the basepaths to be a factor in the World Series.

Advantage: Yankees

Third Base

Alex Rodriguez vs. Pedro Feliz

Alex Rodriguez has been the best player in baseball this month.  He is hitting every pitch square on the barrel.  Even better, he's not chasing bad pitches.  Unlike other sluggers, Rodriguez is a superior baserunner so walking him can be just as dangerous.  He'll likely come back to Earth in the Series, but his mere presence will give Teixeira, Posada and Hideki Matsui the chance to put up numbers. 

Feliz is the closest thing to a weak link the Phillies have.  He is a solid defensive player, but he does not bring a whole lot to the batter's box.  However, October is the time for unsung heroes.

Advantage: Yankees

Left Field

Johnny Damon vs. Raul Ibanez

Damon comes into his second World Series scorching hot at the plate.  He hit in all six ALCS games, including three multi-hit efforts.  Damon is a streak hitter in a great groove, but he can be handled by quality lefties.  He does not run much anymore as he has developed into a power hitter.  As an outfielder, he'd make for a great circus performer.

Ibanez is equally as brutal defensively, but also equally as dangerous at the plate.  He finished the NLCS cold (1/14) after a strong series against the Rockies (5 RBI).  He is a professional hitter that would do well in a DH role in New York.

Advantage: Push

Center Field

Melky Cabrera vs. Shane Victorino

Cabrera is an interesting player.  He is by far the least famous of the Yankees regular nine.  He is not a five-tool player, but he checks all the boxes.  He plays a solid center and has the strongest throwing arm among the outfielders.  He can run a little and occasionally smack a homer.  He tends to ride the confidence wave, but he should be sky high coming off a fantastic ALCS (9 hits). 

Victorino is a more polished version of Cabrera.  He does everything well, but nothing spectacularly well.  Outside of Howard, the Hawaiian has been the Phillies best player this postseason.  He had five multi-hit games and three homeruns in the two series combined.

Advantage: Phillies

Right Field

Nick Swisher vs. Jayson Werth

Swisher has been exposed in the playoffs.  He struggles with pitchers that feature good change-ups, which is pretty much the entire Philadelphia staff.  However, he has stayed focused, which is an issue at times, and played great defense so far. 

Werth has been the breakout star of the postseason.  He was a first round pick 12 years ago, but he's just now playing his best baseball.  Philly relies on worth to be a right-handed threat in a left-hand dominant lineup.  With five homeruns in his last eight games, he's done his job well.  He'll need to pop a Sabathia hanging slider at some point in the World Series for the Phils to steal one from the Yankees ace.

Advantage: Phillies

Designated Hitter/Pinch Hitters

Hideki Matsui vs. Matt Stairs

Matsui will be relegated to pinch hitting duty in the National League park, but he thrived in that role during interleague play.  These are likely his last games as a Yankee, so he'll want to go out on top.  As for the rest of the bench, Eric Hinske was added as another pinch hitter.  Brett Gardner struggled as a pinch runner in the ALCS, but he could terrorize Brad Lidge, who loathes holding runners on.  Jerry Hairston can play anywhere.  Just a guess, but I think Posada catches A.J. Burnett in Game 2, not Jose Molina.

Stairs is the Phillies primary pinch hitter, although Ben Francisco will likely get a Game 1 start in left or as the DH.  The Phillies don't have many threatening players in reserve with Eric Bruntlett and Paul Bako.

Advantage: Yankees 

Here's the breakdown of each staff:

Aces

CC Sabathia vs. Cliff Lee

I'll continue to say it as it continues to hold true: You have to beat CC to beat the Yankees.  He is the centerpiece of this team in a short series.  The Yankees will likely throw him in games 1, 4 and 7 (the latter two being on short rest). 

Lee is a left-handed power-pitching strike-thrower, which are the three best qualities for a pitcher facing the Yankees.  If he can quiet the left-handed bats (Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon and Robinson Cano), he'll be able to pitch around Derek Jeter (.407 BA vs. Lee) and Alex Rodriguez (.333 BA vs. Lee) in key spots. 

Edge: Yankees

Game 2 Probables

A.J. Burnett vs. Pedro Martinez

Burnett will get hardly a mention in the build-up to Game 2.  He has been his usual self in three playoff starts...erratic, inconsistent and sometimes dominant.  He will allow baserunners with walks and hit batsmen, but he's hard to string hits together against (14 hits in 18.1 IP).  Burnett's key will be keeping the ball in the yard.  If the Phils cap two walks with a three-run bomb, the Yanks won't survive Game 2.

"Who's your daddy!?!"  will ring around new Yankee Stadium.  I love Charlie Manuel for starting Pedro in New York if only for the theater.  From a strategic standpoint, I don't get it.  If the Yankees don't pound Martinez, they'll at least make him work and get into the Phillies bullpen early.

Edge: Yankees

Game 3 Playoff Veterans

Andy Pettitte vs. Cole Hamels

Pettitte is the all-time leader in postseason wins, so the World Series stage will only inspire his best work.  If the Yankees had their choice, he would pitch Game 2 and Game 6.  As is, Pettitte will likely get just one World Series start.  However, he could be a valuable piece added to the bullpen for Games 6 and 7.

Cole Hamels is the key to the series for Philly.  He'll likely start Games 3 and 7.  Hamels is coming off his worst career season (4.32 ERA) and his playoff performances have been awful (11 ER in 14.2 IP).  But he has #1 talent and he was the primary reason that Philadelphia won the Series last year.  If he can find his form, he could lead the way again.

Edge: Yankees

Extra Starter

Chad Gaudin vs. J.A. Happ

Gaudin will get the nod in Game 4 if the Yankees are cruising or Game 5 otherwise.  The Yankees were 6-0 in Gaudin's starts during the regular season, but he has pitched just one inning this playoff season.  If he starts, he'll be on the shortest leash imaginable with Alfredo Aceves getting back-up duty.

Happ beat the Yankees in the regular season and could pose some problems.  Like Lee, he is a hard-throwing lefty.  If I were Manuel, Happ and Martinez would swap starts.  As is, Happ will likely be matched with Sabathia in Game 4.

Edge: Phillies

Middle Relief or Extra Innings Relief

If the starters don't go deep or the games go long, both teams will be exposed to punishing lineups.  Aceves has looked lost in the postseason and he will assume long man duties if Gaudin is forced to start.  Damaso Marte has surpassed Phil Coke as the top lefty, but both will get work against the left-hand heavy Phillies.  Neither inspires confidence.  David Robertson has been the Yankees lone bright spot in this area, but he may fill a set-up role if Phil Hughes continues to nosedive.

Chad Durbin has not given up a run in five playoff appearances and Joe Blanton has been serviceable.  Chan Ho Park and Brett Myers should only be asked to soak up innings in a blowout.

Edge: Phillies

Set-Up Men

Hughes/Chamberlain vs. Madson/Eyre

Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain are supposed to bridge the gap to Mariano Rivera.  However, they've been so bad in the first two series that Rivera has assumed 8th and 9th inning duties.  The Yanks will need one of the two kids to grab hold of the 8th inning role because there are fewer off days in the World Series for Rivera to rest.

Ryan Madson has been ok and Scott Eyre has been solid.  Brad Lidge is a three outs or less closer, so there's more pressure on Madson and Eyre, but they are also more battle tested.

Edge: Phillies

Closer

Mariano Rivera vs. Brad Lidge

Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer of all-time and the greatest pitcher in the history of the postseason.

Brad Lidge has been better lately, but the stakes just got raised.  The Yankees will spit on his slider until he proves that he can attack the strike zone with his fastball.  During their three game interleague series this Summer, Lidge blew two saves.

Edge: Yankees

And here is what I have been thinking about:

• Joe the Manager had a rough night last night.  Maybe he had too much time to think about it, but his fatal flaw in the playoffs was sticking with the relievers that "got us big outs all season long."  He kept his secret weapon, David Price, in the holster until the game was out of reach.  Joe the Broadcaster defended this behavior, but he knows better than that.  You do not manage the World Series the same way that you managed the regular season.  It's as simple as that!
• Rays in 6 or Phils in 5, whatever!  Credit to Rick Locke who was the only Moore Sports reader to pick Philly.
• Did you know that the B.J. in B.J. Upton stands for Bossman Junior?  His real name is Melvin Emmanuel and his Dad is the original Bossman.  
• Speaking of initials, Ovinton J'Anthony Mayo made his debut last night.  O.J. put up a crowd-pleasing 5-20 shooting and 0-7 from three-point range. Mayo's fatal flaw is shot selection, so there will be plenty of those nights this season.  He is a much better all-around basketball player than he gets credit for and hopefully that will shine through as his career progresses.
• Two observations from watching my New York Knicks start a new era last night: First, it's pretty depressing when the star player grabs the mic and apologizes to the fans for the team sucking before the season even starts.  Second, the obvious difference between Isiah Thomas and Mike D'Antoni is defense.  The Knicks were a terrible defensive team under Thomas, but D'Antoni does not ask them to play defense, so they do not stress about being bad at it.
• Many of you hate soccer, but I love it.  Either way, we can agree that it is great for some special highlights.  Check out this piece of fancy footwork from Dimitar Berbatov of Manchester United yesterday.  (Note: It is the second video down on the page.  The first video is a goal by the best player in the world, Christiano Ronaldo.) 
• Lastly, there has been some discussion in my USC family about a lack of discipline with the football team during the Pete Carroll years.  My first theory was that "player's coaches" like Carroll tend to be soft on enforcement and so their teams can be undisciplined.  The stats lead me to a different conclusion. Last season, LSU, Florida, Florida St. and USC were all in the top six in penalties.  In fact, going back, Urban Meyer's Florida teams are always right there with USC near the top of the list and he is a strict disciplinarian.  So my new theory, great talent is always a little reckless.  Those four teams are loaded with talented kids, who believe they can get away with anything on a football field.
• Who is the most talented team in the NFL?  The Dallas Cowboys.  They are leading the NFL in penalties through week 9. 

We're half way through the week, so let's talk about what we've learned:

• Did you know Andre the Giant was French?  He was born in Grenoble, France and grew to be 7'4" and 550 pounds.  I remember when Hulk Hogan slammed him and it was huge news, but I did not remember this.
• In regards to the Arizona basketball job, I guess Miles Simon was let go after last season.  
• My Lakers insider told me that Andrew Bynum has been working on a mid-range jump shot in the offseason.  I saw it last night and it occurred to me that that is terrible news for Lakers' fans.  They already have Pau Gasol, who is allergic to the paint, so they need Bynum firmly planted on the block ready to dunk everything within his 7.5 foot wingspan.
• Is there anything that would have summed up Bud Selig's career more perfectly than having to call the World Series clinching game on account of rain for the Phillies?  In the most anti-climatic moment in sports history, the Phillies would have been sitting and waiting in their locker room and then be told that they won the World Series.  Carlos Pena bailed MLB out big time.  That rule should have been fixed decades ago.  As of now, the postseason rules are the same as the regular season, so a baseball game only needs to go 5 innings to be considered official.  In the regular season, when you're talking about 1 game out of 162, it makes sense.  But in the playoffs, you should have to play 9 innings to win a baseball game.  
• Speaking of bad weather baseball, what is the fascination with playing baseball in November?  All season long, managers have to strategize around having few if any off days.  But come October, all of the sudden it has become like the NBA playoffs.  Play one day, off the next and so the depth of your ball club is never tested.  That's why the World Series winner has been the hottest team and not necessarily the best team in this decade.  
• And oh by the way, the weather is bad in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, etc. every November, which is why baseball is supposed to end in the early Fall.  
• How will the rest of this Winter classic play out?  I have no idea, but the rain forced Cole Hamels out of the game, which can only be good news for Tampa.  I think I would put my best strike-thrower out there in the 6th inning if I am Joe Maddon, so probably Dan Wheeler.  Then, I would close the last two or three innings with David Price.  The good news for Philly is that they get Hamels back for Game 7 if necessary.  I still like Tampa's chances if they can find a way out of this mess and get back home.  Maybe the weather will stay bad and Bud Selig will just call the World Series a tie!

Besides politicians, I don't think there is any group of people worse at their jobs than referees.  It's one thing to have to make a split second call, on the run and miss one every once in a while.  But, if you are perfectly positioned on the field or sitting in a replay booth, it is just inconceivable to be this bad at your job.  Here are a few cases from the weekend.

Here is the fallout from the Michigan/Michigan St. debacle that I detailed yesterday.

This picture makes it look like Evan Longoria was giving Jimmy Rollins a rectal exam.  Meanwhile, the umpire standing on top of them said that he missed him.

Troy Polamalu said that the NFL is turning into a league of "pansies" due to the excessive fines and personal foul penalties for hard, but clean hits.  Here is a great example from Sunday's Giants vs. Steelers game.  A hard-hitting classic NFL contest that was slowed down by 15 combined penalties, including this personal foul for unnecessary roughness.  The flag was thrown for one of two reasons, a hit on a defenseless receiver or helmet-to-helmet contact.  It really is a great picture because it clearly shows that the ball is there and he hit him with his shoulder.  

For more evidence, call a friend from Philadelphia and ask him about the roughing-the-passer call on the Eagles' Trent Cole Sunday.  In all seriousness, they should put the QB's in yellow jerseys and have them wear flags that you can pull out.  At least then, we would not be punishing teams for playing defense.

In other news, Mike Singletary may not be glad that he took the 49ers job, but I sure am.   

Baseball people will tell you that there is no such thing as clutch.  Hitters naturally go from hot streaks to cold spells and the postseason is just a small sample, so the cold spells get magnified.  Ryan Howard is a great example of this.  He slumped for ten games, which is hardly newsworthy in the regular season, and now he has broken out in a big way.

Sorry about those NFL picks, 0-3 on Sunday, unless you give me credit for my bias call on the G-Men. 

I did not get to watch Game 2 of the World Series as I was broadcasting the Sunset League showdown between Edison and Los Alamitos for ibnsports.com, but I'm obviously not surprised by the result.  

Cole Hamels 1, Rays 1 is what my scoreboard says.  If I were Philly, I'd scrap Jamie Moyer and move Joe Blanton to Game 3.  Then, I'd throw Cole Hamels in Games 4 and 7.  

I have no feel for the game, since I missed it, but was it really necessary to use David Price for 2.1 innings?  I bet we do not see him again until Game 4 on Sunday.

In other news:

Auburn is really bad this year, so can we stop giving LSU credit for beating them by a late TD?

Lute Olson was a great coach, but retired or not, that is past tense.  Ben Howland, Tim Floyd, Tony Bennett and Herb Sendek have prioritized defense in the Pac-10 and the Cats got left behind about three years ago.  Interesting that for the interim head coach, they went with a no-name assistant instead of former star players and current assistants Miles Simon and Reggie Geary.  That leads me to believe that they are going for a big name and they do not want any internal competition. 

• I did not know that it was possible for your hair to recede as far back as A.J.'s from the Backstreet Boys (the guy on the far right)
• After watching all the tributes to Yankees Stadium, it was sad to see that the Trop's greatest event to date was a New Kids on the Block concert
• If I screwed up the lineup announcement as badly as Carl Crawford, I would have cursed and then they'd let me do it again
• Or maybe not, they mic'ed up Joe Maddon, while he was arguing the non-balk call from the dugout and surprise, surprise he said a "bad word"
• As for the game, Charlie Manuel should put Pat Burrell in between Chase Utley and Ryan Howard or Utley will not see another pitch for the rest of the series
• Tim McCarver loves to make bold pronouncements, like "this pitch will be a fastball," but he is wrong a lot
• Ryan Madson has been the most underrated pitcher in the playoffs
• Good call by Maddon to keep David Price in the holster last night, he's like a secret weapon
• Any of you Yankees fans remember Graeme Lloyd, he and Trever Miller are twins
• Good win for the Phils, but where/when does their next win come?  Patience will pay off for the Rays tonight if they can muster it. (Fortune Cookie wisdom)

After enjoying an extended sigh of relief Sunday night, its time to enjoy a fall classic without the Red Sox.  My feel before the ALCS was that the Rays would win the series unless they realized where they were and what they were doing.  In Game 5, with 7 outs to get and a 7-0 lead, they stopped and looked around.  Amazingly enough, thanks to an abundance of sheer talent due to picking in the top three for 10 straight years, they found a way to close out Boston.

As for the World Series, I just don't see the Phillies rotation, except for Cole Hamels, matching up with the talented bats of the Rays.  The Rays are not a team with five-tool players, they are a five-tool team.  They can hit for power and average, run, play defense and pitch.  They don't rely on the DH position, so the games in Philly won't be killers and they now have a lefty, David Price, that Ryan Howard and Chase Utley will dread facing late in games.

 The pick: Rays in 6