9 IP, 6 H, 0 BB, 10 K, 0 ER

To further illustrate how on point Lee was last night, he threw 122 pitches, 80 for strikes.  9 of his 10 strikeouts were swinging.  That’s filthy stuff right there.  To be throwing strikes with that frequency, but making those strikes unhittable is about the best anyone can pitch in a game.  To have double-digit strikeouts without walking a single batter is about as good as anyone can do.  To only allow one extra base hit in 9 innings against one of the most relentless lineups in baseball history is more than you can ask from any pitcher.  But to do these things in game 1 of the World Series against one of the most dominant aces in baseball in the other team’s stadium is unheard of.  I could go on forever about just how good he was last night, but instead, I’ll just give you Cliff Lee’s dominance in picture montage form.

The first batter of the 4th inning, Mark Texiera, whiffing.

The second batter of the 4th inning, Alex Rodriguez, whiffing.

The third batter of the 4th inning, Jorge Posada, whiffing.

Who's your daddy? I think Pedro is going to win his battle. As for the series...

The World Series is here!  There are so many cool angles to this matchup.  There are the two best lineups in baseball, two great three-man rotations, former teammates and back-to-back Cy Young winners CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee facing off in game 1 (and maybe more than once), Pedro vs. the Yankees in a contest to see who is whose daddy, Jeter vs Rollins at shortstop and leadoff, Howard and Utley vs. A-Rod and Texiera, Mariano vs. Lidge (ok, that one is lopsided).  This should be a great series, and is one of the most evenly matched I can remember.  And if you are wondering which town’s fans are more excited to see their team in the series, Philly wins hands down.  Why?  Because Phillies’ fans will literally prostitute themselves out for World Series tickets.  You stay classy, Philly.