Last night Game 1 of the NLCS came and went with the Phillies winning 3-2. I, unfortunately, did not see much of the game because I finishing up celebrating (or for those who know the holiday not so celebrating) the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, most famous due to Jewish ballplayers Sandy Koufax and Shawn Green not playing on the day, because it is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Once again though, Manny was ridiculous, wasting no time driving in runs, with his first at bat he ripped a double to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. Blake DeWitt later got a sac fly which extended the lead to 2-0 Dodgers. At this point, I’m waiting for the flood gates to open as the Dodgers would continue to pound Cole Hamels, just like the Rockies did in Game 1 of the NLDS last season, but that was to no avail. In (what I believe was) the 6th inning, after an error allowed the speedy Shane Victorino to reach base, Chase Utley, FINALLY, came through for the Phils as he smoked a two-run homer into the rightfield seats to tie the game at two. What did I say? I told you if he got going the Phillies were going places. Two batters later, Pat Burrell continued being clutch for the Phillies as he ripped a line-drive over the left field fence to give the Phillies at 3-2 lead they would never relinquish. Hamels pitched fantastic and Brad Lidge shut the door in the 9th. Game 2, I believe is under way right now, with it being the middle of the 1st with no score. Chad Billinglsey, who pitched great in Game 2 of the LDS against the Cubs, for the Dodgers and revived Phillies pitcher Brett Myers, who earlier this year was sent down to AAA Leigh Valley. Great start for Myers, 13 pitches in the top half of the first, striking out All-Stars Russell Martin and Manny Ramirez in the process. Game 1 of the ALCS starts tonight between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox. James Shields, who won Game 1 of the LDS against the ChiSox, takes the mound for the Rays, and 5+ inning wonder Daisuke Matsuzaka will get the ball for the Red Sox. I like the Rays in the series, mainly because of their undying determination and youth. They have a group of phenominal hitters, which was prevalent before this year, and their pitching has really been excellent between Shields, Kazmir, and Garza. Their bullpen has been good so far with the emergence of Australian righthander Grant Balfour. As long as Pedroia and Beckett continue to struggle I like Tampa’s chances. On a side note, I read on yahoo.com that a 12-year old from Florida was given in-school suspension because he got a mohawk in honor of the Rays players who decided to have mohawks or what they are now called as “rayhawks”. What is the world coming to? Let the kid wear his hair the way he wants to wear his hair. The apocolypse isn’t coming if you let this kid wear a mohawk in class. This kid is moving to St. Petersburg (where Tropicana Field actually is, it’s not in Tampa) and hopefully they will accept it at his new school. Way to go kid, for sticking up for whats right. Rayhawks.