FINALLY my thoughts on the World Series

So for those of you that don't know, I am a currently a college student. As such, I have been bombarded with homework, studying for tests, and all of that good stuff for the majority of the past week. I've uttered "great googly moogly" more than a few times in past couple days (click here to understand what I mean).

But, alas, I am back and finally ready to provide my thoughts on the World Series.

Gotta start out by giving Cole Hamels his due. He was stellar last night for the Phillies once again. Winning Game 1 has to be a huge boost to the moral of that team, especially with the way the Rays had been swingin the lumber. Not to mention the way Tampa typically plays inside the Trop.

A couple days ago, I heard Buster Olney (ESPN baseball analyst) talk about the 3rd and 4th starters for each team. I think he's right in that a distinct advantage goes to Tampa in depth of rotation. I watched Jamie Moyer (Phils game 3 starter) get rocked in his last outing against the Dodgers (6 ER in the first 3 innings..? Can't remember the exact stats, but it wasn't pretty). The Rays game 3 starter is Matt Garza, the man who just shut the door on the Red Sox season with seven innings of rock solid pitching. I guess what I'm saying is that Rays fans need not worry if their team is to fall into an 0-2 hole, because game 3 should (as this postseason indicates) be a laugher.

But nothing is ever guaranteed in the World Series. The Phillies will be back home for game 3 with their crazy fans ready to provide as much support as possible. So who knows, maybe Jamie Moyer will avoid senior citizen status by pitching a gem.

The only thing I hope for is a long drawn out series. Baseball stinks when one team sweeps another. Face it, baseball flat out stinks when there isn't a game 7. At this point, I'd just take a game 5 or 6. My recent memory is filled with thoughts of the Red Sox dominating the Cardinals and Rockies, with drama nowhere to be found.

Baseball is at its greatest when two teams are duking it out in a game 7. Every pitch, every sign, every movement is intensified times 100. I compare baseball game 7's to hockey game 7's - not a lot of people watch regular baseball or hockey games, but when it comes to that final game of the World Series or Stanley Cup, everyone tunes in.

And for baseball's sake, I'm gonna predict this World Series to go the distance. Cole Hamels will keep the Phillies in it, but the bottom of their rotation will provide fuel to Rays hitters. The question is gonna be within each bullpen - can the Phillies pull out wins in those games when Hamels isn't on the mound? If their starters in those games are shaky, can their bullpen provide stability?

My answer is no. The Rays lost game 1 because they weren't used to Hamels and his pitching style (and just the fact that Hamels is ridiculously good). But Cole can't pitch every game for the Phils. The Rays will turn it around against Jamie Moyer and the rest of the Phillies staff. Evan Longoria and B.J. Upton have been too scorching hot this postseason to just go dormant now. Rays complete the improbable dream, winning in 7.