As many have said today on Pinstripe Alley, tonight is the night!  Pettitte has the best chance to not only win the Yankees 27th championship for the franchise, but to do it as a veteran, and to possibly place that final jewel on his crown before he retires.  

Things that I hope to see tonight...  

solid pitching from a veteran starter and another HOF closer (guess who?).  Pedro finally getting his kick in the balls that he needed from his Red Sox days (the who's your daddy comment and heckling are awesome, but don't sink deep like another big game loss would).  The bats within the middle and end of the order come through in a big way, tonight is your night boys...  and Damon to continue his exception offensive/base running skills (we all know his arm is dead).  Jeter keeping the team level headed and doing what he does best, playing the game!!

So with a little hopeful thinking for the men in pinstripes...  one thing I truly hope changes is the God Da** strike zone and umpiring (which is not a new concept on this site).  Is it me or does it seem that all of televised sports are starting to feel to pinch of the networks dictating how a game should go and what people should experience?  I mean come on, there appeared to be a one inch trike zone on the outside of the plate-belt high on Monday night.  Umm.. if you give anyone, except for maybe Howard who is struggling now, a zone like that you are going to see bombs.  IF they are calling for Utley, who is a great player (credit where credit is due), to be MVP.. they should really give the MVP to the Umps for granting him the opportunity to break records.  Then again this is the Selig era where the deck is stacked for a record breaking moment, rather than the true feat of watching it unfold naturally.  

Come Back.... WTF?

One thing I love to see unfold when it comes to reporters and bloggers regarding professional sports, is the classic flip-flop.  They do it better than any politician (anyone remember John Kerry?  Did he teach internet journalism at somepoint?- FYI I am not journalist material, it is ok to agree with that statement) .  After games 3 and 4 it was Yankees all the way, or at least for then...  now all of a sudden most reporters, especially the ones on Yahoo, are calling this a come back.  I don't know if I would go that far...  Sure Philly has offense on its side, they have Cliff Lee, they have the taste of victory from one year ago...but are people forgetting that the Yankees are coming home and their vet is on the mound?  See para one for comments on that...  However, as I highlighted in the para above, if you give an offensive powerhouse like Utley the zone he was given and force a pitcher to put a strike there, if he doesn't go yard, then he needs to start all over again at T-ball.  

What I cannot wait for is the morning headlines.. after the game (and I hope they have 27 all over them or PARTY TIME IN THE BRONX) keep a keen eye on the wagon jumpers.. it should be interesting..

So as I digress and grab some Buca to get ready for the game, I hope to be savoring the moment with the rest of you all soon.

Cheers!