ESPN

Steve Phillips

  (1:01 PM)

Though it's overcast here, it looks like the game will get in. What's on everyone's mind?

Gary (Philly)

Any word yet on whether there is going to be a travel day if the Rays win? Seems like that would make a big difference in the way Manuel manages the bullpen?

Steve Phillips

  (1:02 PM)

Highly unlikely. Typically, MLB would like to see thye WS end before November 1, and that travel is not prohibitive. I haven't heard anything definitive, but I'd be surprised if there was a travel day.

Mike (Philadelphia, PA)

Is this the strangest thing you have ever seen in a World Series?

Steve Phillips

  (1:03 PM)

The earthquake in 1989 was once-in-a-lifetime, but I haven't seen anything quite like this before. What was amazinfg to me was that they called the game so early yesterday, considering it stopped raining at 6:30. They certainly could have completed the game last night.

Justin (Clearwater FL)

Hi Steve, if the Rays find a way to win tonight, do you think they have momentum going back to St. Pete?

Steve Phillips

  (1:04 PM)

Yes, but they would still have to win two more games. They wouldn't have the advantage. If we get to Game 7, then I think the Rays have an advantage, but until then, Philly is sitting in the driver's seat.

John (Philly, PA)

If this game goes extra, Will Charlie and Joe bring in the starters for game 6? Myers and Shields

Steve Phillips

  (1:06 PM)

I don't think you'll see any starters in this game. Myers isn't a better option than any of the relievers in the Phillies' bullpen. The Rays understand they need to win all three games, so I don't see any way Maddon goes to Shields.

Ashley (Tampa, FL)

Who do you see both teams sending out to the mound when play resumes tonight?

Steve Phillips

  (1:08 PM)

I think the Rays will send Balfour to the mound initially, but when Charlie Manuel sends a lefty pinch-hitter to the plate, he'll go out and bring in either Miller or Howell to face that lefty, and then the top of the Phillies' order. I expect we'll see either Madson or Romero in the top of the 7th for the Phillies, knowing they can go to Lidge for multiple innings if necessary.

Grant (NYC)

Steve,Was there any consideration to whiping the 6th out completely? It seems a little unjust that the Phillies had to play one more inning in the field on that slop. Now, the Rays have the "advantage" of one more inning with better feilding conditions.

Steve Phillips

  (1:09 PM)

I don't have any major problem with the way it was handled. I can understand if the field was muddy in the top of the sixth, but I don't think conditions impacted the outcome of that inning. It's time to look forward and not back. The umpires made the best decisions they thought of at the time.

John Cincinnati, Ohio

The World Series has become almost a joke. The ratings are terrible, and even worse if you look at males 18-34. Will there be any changes?

Steve Phillips

  (1:10 PM)

I don't think there will be any changes. The ratings are directly related to the interest level of the teams playing in the Series. Of the 8 teams that made the postseason, Phillies-Rays was probably the second-worst combination that you could put together.

Rob(Philly)

When wil Bud Selig make the decision that the game is on or off? Some of us fans need to know.

Steve Phillips

  (1:11 PM)

I think that the game is on until he determines otherwise. There's no precipitation in the forecast now, so we'd only be talking about a slight delay if there's any decision to be made.

Dan (Allentown)

Why do you guys LOVE David price so much? I HOPE he gets in and deals with pressure and 45,000 wild fans.

Steve Phillips

  (1:13 PM)

Everybody loves Price's stuff and poise, especially for being such a young man. Young pitchers facing situations for the first time in their career can be effective, but Price has pitched in a lot of big games, including the College World Series. He will have a lot of positive experiences to help him cope tonight.

Dan (Philly)

If the series does go 7, Charlie Manuel will be awful tempted to start Hamels on four days rest, considering he only threw 75 pitches monday. Hamels isn't accustomed to sort rest though, how do you think the young pitcher would react?

Steve Phillips

  (1:14 PM)

Everything we're hearing is that he would prefer not to pitch on short rest, but I agree he is a better option on three days' rest than Moyer is on four. I personally would approach Hamels and lay that out for him. I'm not convinced at this point that he would be on the mound in Game 7. He has pitched a lot of innings this year, and they do take a toll.

Josh, Washington, DC

Hey, Steve. As a Phillies fan, of course I find their inability to hit with RISP frustrating. But on the other hand, with a 3-1 lead in the series, why is this so significant? Should they have swept? Should they be winning games by 20 runs? Why is this such a big story with a 3-1 lead?

Steve Phillips

  (1:16 PM)

It's a story in that, if you're looking for a reason as to why they could lose the series, their lack of hitting with RISP could ultimately come back and haunt them. It hasn't cost them yet, but it is the type of thing that could. They've gotten very good pitching and have scored just enough, but if the Rays' offense comes to life, that lack of hitting with RISP could become a more significant issue.

Chris (Broadview Heights, OH)

I know it'll never happen due to financial reasons but is there really a need for the baseball season to be 162 games long? Would a 132 game schedule really give that much less of a sample size to determine which teams are amongst the best deserving playoff slots?

Steve Phillips

  (1:17 PM)

I think if we looked at the standings after 132 games this year, there were some changes down the stretch. You're right--baseball will never reduce the number of games unless there is a dramatic way they coiuld recoup the lost revenues that would result. If they do anything at all, I would start the season a little bit earlier rather than reducing the No. of games.

Ara, Philadelphia

Steve you're on the spot - who win's tonights game?

Steve Phillips

  (1:18 PM)

Phillies win, and we all get to go home. I think their bullpen will outlast the Rays' bullpen, and the homefield advantage will come into play, as Phillies fans will be crazed tonight.

Dan (Philly)

The rays may have caught a slight break getting one more at bat in the monsoon, as the weather affected the philly defense and limited Hamels to mostly fastballs, but Vegas has Philly as the clear favorite, given they have 12 out to the Rays 9. So wasn't the suspension really a win-win result?

Steve Phillips

  (1:21 PM)

I think that the first 5 1/2 innings were a win for the Rays. They faced the Phillies' best pitcher, Howard's hot bat, and a rested bullpen, and have elminated Hamels as a factor. They are in a better position than what I anticipated. There's something to be said for living to fight another day when they knew there was a chance of going home. despite the fact that the Phillies are up 3-1, it feels as though there is a momentum shift in the Rays' favor.

Bryan (Tampa)

Steve: Did the Phillies get Tampa's best shot? As a Rays fan it kills me to think we played our worst games in the WS.

Steve Phillips

  (1:22 PM)

The World Series isn't always about the best team winning--it's about the team that plays the best in a seven game series. The Rays haven't swung the bat or played defense like they're capable of, but that is the nature of the beast. Most people have come away appreciating the talent level and character of this young team, and it's not hard to see why they have put themselves in the World Series. It's not over yet.

Matt, College Station TX

Steve, a non-WS question: Who should win the NL Cy Young this year? I say Santana, but what do you think?

Steve Phillips

  (1:24 PM)

I think Santana should win it as well. He lost five or six wins due to his bullpen. The overall numbers have him as the guy. Certainly Webb and Lincecum had unbelievable seasons, but I think Santana should get the award.

Ara, Philadelphia

Is "team x has the momentum" one of the most over-rated phrases in all of sports? People seem to think the Rays have momentum because they scored a weather aided run on Monday. Didn't they Rays have the "momentum" after game 2? We all know what happened there.

Steve Phillips

  (1:26 PM)

It's really only as good as the next day's starter--or, in this case, your next day's reliever. There is some level of it in baseball, but it can easily be negated by good pitching.

Evil Monkey (RI)

Do you give any consideration to Lidge for Cy Young?

Steve Phillips

  (1:27 PM)

I would not consider a closer unless there's no clear-cut starter in the race. Closers are important, but they don't log nearly enough innings to be able to, in my mind, earn the award.

Steve Phillips

  (1:28 PM)

This unbelievable year may be done tonight. It's been a great season full of lasting memories, and we're gonna have a champion crowned shortly. Take care!