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Originally published: November 3, 2009

There's still plenty to wonder about in this Series

By Mike Lopresti, Gannett

PHILADELPHIA - The World Series goes on, and now there is so much to wonder about.

You wonder about the Philadelphia Phillies.

Too proud to let this end in their home area code, can their eleventh-hour fireworks show from Monday night carry to the Bronx? Did the dynamics of this series change in the first inning when Chase Utley hit the first pitch he saw from A.J. Burnett into the right field stands for a three-run homer?

"I think we know," Charlie Manuel said, "what winning is all about."

You wonder about the New York Yankees.

It is one thing to postpone a champagne party. It is another to see the pitching staff inflicted an 8-6 pounding. There is genuine danger in letting the Philadelphia lineup reach takeoff speed, even with a 3-2 World Series lead.

"I think we have to remember we're still ahead," Johnny Damon said.

You wonder about the Yankee starting pitchers.

They are all working on short rest as Joe Girardi stays with a three-man rotation. CC Sabathia did not have his A game Sunday, and Burnett was gone in the third inning Monday. Signs of fatigue now they they're near the finish line?

You wonder how fascinating Manuel would find that question.

He has had so many darts thrown at him about insisting on full rest for Cliff Lee on Monday that he should be hung up in a London pub.

You wonder about Lee.

He occasionally wobbled but won Monday. His next scheduled start would be at spring training. Except if the Phillies needing a few innings {lcub}hellip{rcub}

"I'll be ready to pitch whenever they want me to," Lee said. "I'm in."

You wonder why this World Series turned from a pitching display into batting practice.

There were 11 runs in the first two games, 38 in the last three. The World Series has turned into this: The Phillies led 8-2 Monday, then Ryan Madson needed a double play by Derek Jeter and strikeout of Mark Teixeira to survive the ninth inning. With the pitchers fading, with the Phillies bullpen a nightly suspense thriller, with the hitters warming, will there be NFL scores in Game 6?

"The hitters," Madsen said, "are carrying us as far as we go."

You wonder about Cole Hamels.

If it comes to a Game 7, that would be his scheduled turn. But his confidence seems so shattered he needs a whisk broom to pick it up. He has the look of a man who could use a vacation away from it all in Tahiti, 5,000 miles away from the nearest opposing hitter. Hard to imagine Manuel starting him in Yankee Stadium, where the fans would gleefully try to push every one of his buttons they could find.

The fact that would even be an issue for last year's World Series hero shows how baseball can cruelly turn on a man.

You wonder when Utley became Reggie Jackson, with five home runs in one World Series, two on Monday.

You wonder if, in the end, the Philadelphia Inquirer gets the last giggle.

It mistakenly published a huge ad Monday morning congratulating the Phillies on winning back to back championships.

You wonder how happy Bud Selig is Tuesday, now that he finally has a World Series lasting long enough to draw a crowd.

This is the first time since 2003 that the Series has needed six games to be settled. The daily television ratings no longer ruin Selig's oatmeal each morning. Apparently, people want to watch this World Series, and now there will be more of it.

You wonder how much more.

The Yankees have had 3-1 leads in eight previous World Series, and never let any of them slip away. They are famous for finishing off their prey. Three straight victories against them would be counter to history, not to mention conventional wisdom.

"I don't see why we can't," Philadelphia's Shane Victorino said.

"We're going home, where we're extremely comfortable," New York's Nick Swisher said.

You wonder what we saw Monday night. A change in the wind or just a Phillies' last hurrah.

What we know is Game 6 will be played in the World Series. Lately, that's been a good day for a parade.

Contact Mike Lopresti at mlopresti@gannett.com

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ABOUT MIKE

Quote: "Of course, I have to say who won. But I'd better say more. If not, I'm useless. They don't need me. I have to give readers something extra than what they've seen on TV. Or why read?"

Favorite sport: college basketball.

Career: Sportswriter, (Richmond, Ind.) Palladium-Item, 1970-1981; Gannett News Service and Gannett ContentOne, since 1982.

First GNS assignment: Super Bowl XVI.

Born: Richmond, Ind.

Ball State University graduate.

Married since 1976.

 

In the press box

World Series: 27

Final Four: 28

Super Bowl: 26

NBA Finals: 25

Masters: 25

Olympics: 14

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