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Live from the World Series
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With the start of Game 3 of the 2009 World Series some 2 1/2 hours away a light but annoying rain is falling from the sky. They've just opened the gates to Citizen's Bank Park, though the bleachers are filling up quickly to watch the Phillies take batting practice.
The dugout is enveloped by a phalanx of photographers, encompassing many corners of the globe, particularly Japan. Looking out towards centerfield you can see the skyline masked in gray. There's virtually no wind and the weather is unseasonbly warm for this time of year.
On the outskirts of the city, kids are getting ready to go Halloween-ing, their fathers undoubtedly in a hurry to complete the Trick 'R Treat routes in record time to make sure they're back home for the start of the game.
That's the setting at the moment from the view of the press box, where the Examiner is well positioned.
In a few minutes it will be the Yankees turn for BP. Right now they're loosening up and stretching on the side of their dugout.
As far as hard news, it looks like Joe Girardi will indeed go with C.C. Sabathia in Game 4 tomorrow. He announced it at the tail end of his pre-game press conference;. But Girardi stopped short of saying Game 2 hero, A.J. Burnett, will pitching Game 5 Monday, leaving open the possibility he'll go with Chad Gaudin, a righthander acquired from the Padres late in the summer.
As expected, you won't see much if any of designated hitter Hideki Madsui over the next three days. His sore knees won't permit him to play the outfield, so he'll sit and Steve Swisher--benched in Game 2--returns to rightfield.
The Phillies, meanwhile, could get one of their extra players back tonight. Charlie Manuel says Greg Dobbs, who was too sick to even be at the ballpark for Game 2, is feeling much better and could be used tonight.
But Manuel said he'll stick with struggling third baseman Pedro Feliz, who's hitting just .138 during the post-season. He's confident the streaky Feliz can turn it around as quickly as he dug himself in this hole. Phillies fans on the other hand, aren't so confident.
That's the scene here with game time about two hours away. The Phils are finishing up batting practice. The Yankees are playing catch on the fringe of the left field line. It's relatively quiet at the moment.
Just a hunch that won't be the case two hours from now...
(more to come)
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