A Vote For Pedro?

Coming into this World Series (that's the World Series of Baseball, not to be confused with the ongoing poker reruns), I felt that the Yankees had the better club and would win their 27th championship. Not much that happened last night changes my gut feeling, although a few things surprised me. I knew the Phillies had a deep, patient, AL-caliber lineup, but the fact that they could run C.C. Sabathia's pitch count up in seven innings and get to New York's vulnerable middle relievers was eye-opening. I also couldn't believe that Cliff Lee was that good against the Yankee bats. How in the world did this dude go 7-9 in the AL before his midseason trade to Philly?

I know the Phillies have an excellent ball club, but my biggest doubts concerning their title hopes lie in the remainder of their starting rotation, specifically tonight's pitcher Pedro Martinez. How can a guy who was unemployed for most of the summer after his disastrous four-year stint as a Met be the No. 2 starter for a Series contender? Did you see Pedro pitch the last two seasons? He was terrible.

I know, he's been solid in Philly thus far, and he helped clinch the NLCS with seven innings of shutout ball against the Dodgers last week. But seriously, what can you expect out of Pedro tonight, against baseball's most potent offense?

The media loves the idea of old guys shining in huge spots when everyone has written them off--this is because the media is packed with old guys. Cue Brett Favre leaping into the arms of a lineman, or Tom Watson chugging down a British Open fairway. If Pedro comes out tonight and mows down the Yankees, giving his team two road wins with the next three games scheduled for Philly, the aged sports-hack gallery will shower him with accolades. For his "grit" and "poise" and "defiance of Father Time," or whatever cliches they'll employ.

I'm not saying this can't happen, I'm just saying I seriously doubt that Pedro won't get hammered this evening. I don't want him to fail--Pedro is one of my favorite pitchers of all time and I'd love to see the Yankees lose this Series. I just can't suppress my rational side to allow my hopeful romantic self to believe in Pedro tonight.

What I can believe in, however, is the probability that the Phillies will pound A.J. Burnett just as hard as the Yankees abuse Pedro, and that this game will get thrown to the bullpens, and that Philly could end up winning anyway. That's an outcome I can get behind that doesn't involve a belief in unicorns, UFOs or Pedro turning back the clock.
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We Are Hot Chicks Wednesday: World Series Recipe

Surprised? You bet your sweet ass you are. These here are good durn times, boy. It's late October. It's raining in New York. Yankees fans can chug pureed sewage topped with rotten eggs, and the House of Georges says, "Let's talk World Series!"

Things we know: Joe Buck is unbearable. Pedro Martinez will pitch well in game two. Alex Rodriguez likes the prison showers, and Joe Posnanski Tweets way too freaking much during playoff baseball games. Sweet Christ.

But it's all good. It's October! Let's hop past the leap and see what a championship club needs in order to bring home the jewelry. Go Phillies!

Bianca Beauchamp



Let's face it:



You gotta be in shape to compete in any professional sports post-season.

Adriana Kriplewska



Class? Well, that helps, too, but...

Danielle Moinet



...that comes in many forms.



You can classily deliver the same game face in different environments.



But you gotta have fire,



poise,



composure,



and a serious knack



for some hard-core



ass kicking.



I mean, you gotta know when to put your own ass on the line,



when it's time to put your ass in the face of your competitors,



and when it's time to just plain turn your ass out of the way.



Havin' some tough ass in your corner always helps, too,



especially if you're delivering straight from the chest.



Knowing that you're surrounded by other ass...ets,



helps tremendously when you need someone else on your club to shoulder the load.



In fact, a whole team load of tough asses



can land you in the winnner's circle more often than not.

Jessi Jade Mrochko



Whether it's baseball or not, you wanna have your Heisman pose ready at all times.

Joanna Krupa



You can't take the seriousness of a championship contest sittin' down.



You've gotta stand up and be ready to stomach whatever comes your way.



A champion has to be poised on his her toes,



and ready to shock the competition,



force them into submission.



If you're not ready to bare it all, why even show.

Joselyn



Every once in a while, a team will have a star that goes by one name. You know: Ichiro, Yao, Joselyn, they're all big-time players.

Maria Ozawa



Equally important is the roster member that's a one-time smash.

Maria Venus



On occasion, a club'll have two of those on board.

Marketa Belonoha



They pale in comparison, however, to the smokin' hot star that'll get the other club off their game each and every night.



You never know where they're comin' from,



but you know they're gonna getcha'.

Paxton Lane



A good surprise factor's always nice, too, when it's tucked away in the arsenal.

Shay Laren



A journeyed veteran that can look in the mirror with confidence? Huge.

Taylor Vixen



It's nice to have youth,

Tommie Jo



and it's nice to have culture,



but above all, you gotta have the veterans.



Line 'em up,



sign 'em up.



They're gonna deliver,



produce,



teach your youth,



show their flair,



strut their stuff,



and leave the other guys wondering what hit 'em.



Veteran contributions are immeasurable,



impeccable,



frequently astonishing,



and always impressive.



You should never let one mediocre apple spoil your veteran sauce, either,



because there's always another spicy vat o' cider right comin' up the pipes.



Grab it when you see it.



You won't be disappointed,



you won't be left behind,



and in the end, you'll be all smiles.

Nadia Moore



No championship squad is complete, however, without an ace.



Whether you're talking Twin Towers,



a grizzled hip-checker,



or a key performance on the mound, your ace is your casino chip. Cash it in.

That's it for this week quarter. Check back in again sometime. We'll have refreshments, courtesy of our sponsors.
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