So you would think that nationally there would be some attention on the series. Particularly from an individual with the self given title of the Sports Guy. But alas, the Sports Guy, heretofore known as the Boston Guy, only really cares about Boston sports happenings. So in light of the national media turning a blind eye (read: the Boston Guy ignoring the World Series because his beloved Red Sox are out of it) I thought I would put together a little running diary of Games 3-5, the first World Series games to take place in Philadelphia in 15 years. Will it be as funny, as knowledgeable or as professional as the BG's running diaries? No, but he's the one who is ignoring a great World Series, who took his ball and went home when his team got knocked out so he left it up to us amateurs to carry the torch.

Game 3 - The Delay Game.

If waiting 15 years for a home WS game wasn't enough, mother nature decided to have a say and delay the start of the game (obviously this wouldn't be her last say in the matter of this series. The already amped, but slightly nervous Phillies fans at the ball park and around the city had all the more time to down a few more cocktails before the start of the game. And perhaps it was just the weather delay, or the combination of a Saturday night game versus a Sunday night game but the crowd at the ball park on Saturday was considerably more vocal for the duration of the game. The energy from the outset was, to use a baseball cliché, like a champagne bottle that had been shaken for 15 years and finally released. It poured through the television and into the hearts of every fan watching across the city. And one thing was immediately clear... Cow Bells SUCK. They ruin the game for the viewers at home who don't want the game accompanied with 3.5 hours of ringing bells not to mention what they must do to the fans actually there. Deep down the Tampa fans must hate the experience of a live game taking place covered in a sonic shroud of a Poe piece. Not only that but they had to suffer through the likes of the back street boys while the Philadelphia crowd was treated to a stunning rendition of out National Anthem by the highly-talented Taylor Swift.

Heading into this game there was definitely a sense of anxiousness and nervousness throughout the city. We had stolen a game on the road but after losing Game 2 and with Moyer struggling lately there was a definite fear of falling into a 2-1 series hole. Thankfully Buck and McCarver came along, tucked us in and made us feel all better with a seemingly random piece of information that put everyone at ease, well me at ease at least. Because the most important decision of the night may have been the one least talked about. Leading into the game Moyer had been struggling in the post season. He wasn't getting the calls he needed on the corners to be successful. But as the game started we learned from Buck and McCarver that the Phillies had scouted this evening's home plate umpire, Fieldin Culbreth, and specifically pitched Moyer this game to take advantage of Culbreth's notoriously wide strike zone. The decision paid off immediately as Moyer fell right into a groove utilizing the outside corners. It didn't hurt to have the crowd seemingly rattle uber-rookie Evan Longoria with chants of "E-VA, E-VA" either!

But just as soon as the Phils were able to finally crack the fragile Garza in the 6th and take a 4-1 lead with back to back homers from Utley and Howard, the menacing story of this World Series reared its ugly head again. Horrible officiating. Carl Crawford, the player on the Rays that scares me the most, led of with a bunt. Moyer came sprinting off the mound fielded the ball and flipped it out of his glove directly into the awaiting bare hand of Howard at first for the out. Problem is, the first base ump was in absolutely atrocious position to make the call and called Crawford safe. A double and two groundouts later - Crawford scores - and the score was 4-3. After Upton scored in the eighth, a run completely generated by his individual speed on the base paths the game was tied at 4 and Moyer lost his decision.

Fortunately a wild bottom half of the ninth plated the winning run for the Fightins. I know this time of year the result is all that matters. A W is a W. But it irks me that the story of the first World Series game in Philadelphia in 15 years, a game delayed 90 minutes due to rain, revolved around an ageless pitcher who threw the game of his life in his childhood hometown but will forever be remembered as another game in the 2008 World Series in which the umps blew some calls. Storylines are what make good World Series' into great ones. This series has had storylines from the outset and developed more as the series has progressed through Game 3. Cole Hamels is a beast, Scott Kazmir has been just as good. The Philadelphia bats have been eerily quiet - as well as Longoria and Peña - while the ageless Moyer pitched just as brilliantly as anyone. Why do I feel like this won't be the last we hear of tangential influences into this World Series? (Note, I'm writing this after Games 4 and 4.5, that's why.)

Game 4 - On the precipice

While I'll remember Game 3 for the Moyer angle, Game 4 was a much different beast with tons going on. So this synopsis will be, well, a much different beast.

Rays pitcher Andy Sonnanstine, who had never walked more then three batters in a start in his entire career, amazingly walks two in the first, the second of which plates Rollins. Sonnanstine's first bases-loaded walk of this career (Rollins only being on base due to another blown call by the umps). Embarrassing display on the part of the officiating crew during this series. Truly embarrassing.

Victorino subsequently grounded back to Sonnanstine who glove flipped the ball to home for the bases loaded force out. Do pitchers practice the glove flip throw to first and home?

Rays Catcher Dionner Navarro tried unsuccessfully to bunt for a base hit in the second. He then hit a line drive to right fielder Jayson Werth for a single, as Werth came up momentarily looking like he might try to throw out Navarro. I'm thinking that if you are so slow that an outfielder even thinks about throwing you out on a base hit that attempting a bunt in any situation may not be too wise.

In the second, I thought to myself, man Blanton swings hard, if only he could get a hold of one. Though I was hoping more for a double in the gap then anything else.

Buck and McCarver effectively jinx Rays second baseman Aki Iwamura. They mention his defensive prowess as he bats in the top of the third. Apparently he was a 6-time Gold Glove winner in Japan at third base and has worked tirelessly to be one of the best defensive second basemen in the Major Leagues. In the bottom of the third he makes one error and one other questionable play, with another error in the 4th accounting for 2 runs in all.

With runners in scoring position and no outs we once again can't break the levy as both Burrell and Victorino pop out. Ridiculous. I thought the fans were on the verge of letting out a typical Philly boo but thankfully Feliz drove in Utley to salvage the inning. That really felt like a turning point. I think the fans were ready to let their displeasure be heard had we not scored.

Crawford once again scares me to death. With Peña and Longoria off track he's all they have. And he has way more power then I ever realized. Upon thinking this, what happens with two outs in fourth? He drills one into the bleachers. It's a 2-1 game and we need to stop stranding runners desperately before we let this one-man show steal the series.

Finally, in the bottom of the 4th, Sonnanstine comes unhinged. He walks his third batter (a career high in 140 starts) and coupled with Iwamura's second error, opens the door for a monster opposite field shot by Howard that feels like a weight has been lifted from the team and Howard. Coupled with Feliz salvaging a run last inning this really feels like the dam is about to open.

And then it happens, Blanton jacks one into the left field bleachers. Just then, I started to feel like this game might be over.

The 6th was huge for Blanton. The heart of the Rays lineup could have easily brought them back into the game. If it was going to happen, it was going to be in the 6th. To a chorus of "Lets Go Joe" chants, Blanton strikes out the cement-footed Navarro on a high change-up to end a threat.

And then in the 8th, Howard came up again and slammed another homer, this time to right center to make it a 10-2 game. He seems like a totally different hitter all of the sudden. Super confident and scary as hell, if you are a Rays pitcher that is. Definitely a good sign for Game 5.

Game 5? That's right Game 5! The Phillies hold a 3-1 lead after this drubbing. Howard looks locked in. Our ace Hamels is taking the mound. We're at home with a chance to end the drought. There's nothing that could derail them now is there? Ok, I spoke too soon thanks to Mother Nature thinking she was needed to end a drought. Plus a surreal turn of events leading to a full two-day delay. Next week - my diary conclusion, hopefully with a celebration!

As for some non game related topics.

Patti LaBelle was pitiful.

If I have to see another commercial with Joe Torre sporting a wet suit I am going to go crazy. Then again, what's more creepy, Torre in a wetsuit or the white-haired guy in the Sharp commercials.

Cat Power's brief cover of Bowie's "Space Oddity" is AWESOME! Not only that but the ad itself is awesome. I can and will go on about this... but at another time.