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...