Where has the Time Gone?

In the blink of an eye, the Yankees have gone up 3 games to 1 in the 105th installment of the World Series. Almost forgotten is Cliff Lee's complete game gem in Game 1, with the Phillies now finding themselves relying on Lee again in Game 5 to secure a trip back to New York for potential Games 6 and 7.

In Game 3, it looked as though Cole Hamels had settled in nicely with the aid of an early 3-0 Phillies lead, however it would not last as Pettitte held on and Hamels unraveled. Hamels has done an about face from this year over last, and his miserable season continued on Halloween night with a homer from Rodriguez which opened the floodgates, resulting in a 8-5 Yankee win. Last night in Game 4, the Phillies played catchup all night against the Yankees, tieing Yankee leads of 2-0 and 4-2. After Utley hit a solo shot late to make it 4-3 and chase starter CC Sabathia, Chamberlain surrendered a game-tying home run to Pedro Feliz. In a bizarre ninth in which Lidge retired the first two batters, Johnny Damon lined a single to left and stole 2nd and 3rd on the same play as the Phillies played their infield to a right shift, which allowed Damon to continue to third as 3rd baseman Pedro Feliz received the throw to 2nd. Lidge didn't cover 3rd and Damon made it easily to score the go-ahead run on a Rodriguez double. Posada would drive two more in to bring the Yankees a commanding 3-run lead that Mariano Rivera would not relinquish for a 7-4 win.

No brainer, but Philly really needed this one, especially with Lee (full rest 4 days) pitching Game 5 against an A.J. Burnett on short rest (3 days) with a weaker hitting Molina probably going to be his battery mate. The cards would appear stacked against the Yankees tonight, however with a 3-1 series lead and two potential remaining games in New York, the Yankees are 1 win from World Championship #27.