Well, okay -- I admit it: it's a World Series after all, although when the Yankees are not involved I do think that for baseball fans and even for the televising network's benefit reducing the thing to the best of 3 (or even 5, I guess) like it has become is the way to go. Now, I am interested; hadn't really been much before that. Could also really just be the sleep-deprivation talking there; plopped out in front of the TV for much of the weekend was about all I had in me.

But the Cards, with a little assist from an umpire (and bully for Mr. Torre for coming down on the "pool reporter" (I like how they didn't name the guy although he named the ump and his hometown)) and a blown call and an error by Texas' catcher playing first helped toward a Saturday night blowout; more like a football game. And yes, Alberta (still smarting from so much bad press for bailing after less than stellar play in game 2) did hit 3 homeruns in a WS in a row but to compare him to Reggie? Nah, I don't think so. Game 3 heroics in the bandbox that is Arlington is not in the same ballpark as Mr. October doing it in a Game 6 and on three swings in a row. Yeah, I am biased but still... Pujols is just looking for the payday.

As will CJ Wilson, the Rangers' ace who has not pitched like one in the post-season, who knows he could not only leave his team in a hole with a bad outing, but he could also cost himself a lot of money. Yes, the Yankees will be going after the free-agent-to-be lefty starter, but NY is a team built with the important Fall games in mind but he's got to step it up.

Fan favorite (and one of mine since he was an Athletic) Nick Swisher may find himself on that very same bubble: impressive during regular season, non-existent during the post-season. If the Yankees jettison Swish due his lack of hitting in October, it may be hard to spend the money on a starting pitcher who can't help the team over the hump.

The hot-stove league doesn't get going until after the World Series and I guess there will be plenty of time for those discussions then, so for now-- let's watch the last few games of the season. February when pitchers and catchers report is still a far, far off land...

Thanks
Brian