Perhaps it's fitting that Game Three of the World Series will be played on the night of Halloween.
Some strange, downright scary, developments played out in the first two games of the series, developments that make this matchup nearly impossible to predict going forward.
I wouldn't be surprised if the ghost of Rod Serling introduced the starting lineups at this point.
You are about to enter another dimension. A dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. Next stop, the Twilight Zone! Jerry Hairston Jr. starts for your team in a World Series game!
We all knew Cliff Lee was a great pitcher, the guy is a Cy Young award winner after all, but there was no way to predict he would pitch like Brendan Fraser in The Scout.
Lee's exploits meant that CC Sabathia was a losing pitcher, which is kind of freaky to think about in its own right.
And did I mention that Jerry Hairston Jr. started for the Yankees in a World Series game? Again, Jerry Hairston Jr. started for the Yankees in a World Series game. Like, on purpose. It was a manager's decision and everything!
Seriously, there's weird stuff going on here.
How else do you explain the sudden downturn of Alex Rodriguez? On the eve of the series, I surmised that it was impossible to imagine A-Rod slowing down at this point. He was seeing the ball better and hitting the ball harder than any time in his five years in pinstripes.
Of course, A-Rod has responded to my endorsement with an 0-for-8, six-strikeout gagfest in the first two games. Thanks, bud.
On Thursday night, I sent the following message to my friend Howie, and avid Yankees fan but also a big apologist of Ryan Howard, who whiffed four times in Game Two.
My text: "And that's why Ryan Howard will never be considered an all-time great."
Howie's retort?
"Then what does that say about A-Rod?"
Ugh. I hate devastatingly accurate counterpoints.
The point is, I don't think Rodriguez is back to square one in his attempts to resurrect his postseason legacy. But he can't take a third straight oh-fer, either. Finish it out strong, A-Rod. You're thisclose to being a New York hero.
I'm ready for anything tonight. Andy Pettitte can take the mound in a dress. Derek Jeter can be outed as a communist. Charlie Manuel can be seen in a dugout shot without grease stains on his jersey. Phillies fans can be civil and non-douchey.
Well, scratch that last one. Some things are just too far-fetched to ever be true.
Dan Hanzus can be reached via e-mail at dhanzus@gmail.com. Follow Dan on Twitter at danhanzus.
No comments:
Post a Comment