MLB / Nick Shiambouros / 27 October 2008 / Leave a comment

Nick Shiambouros updates us on the progress of the World Series where Philadelphia have one hand on the trophy.

The sun slowly began to set on the Tampa Bay Rays chances of winning the World Series as they were thrashed 10-2 by the outstanding Philadelphia Phillies on a chilly night in Pennsylvania.

The home team started quickly, scoring in the first inning and added another in the third to lead 2-0.The Rays came back in the fourth with a home run from Carl Crawford but Ryan Howard answered with a monster three run homer of his own to break the game wide open.

Even Pitcher Joe Blanton got in on the act with a home run of his own in the fifth to become the first pitcher in 34 years to go deep in the World Series.

Howard added another huge home run in the eighth with a two run shot along with Werth who repeated the dose and the massacre was complete.

Andy Sonnastine did not display his normal accuracy for the Rays and was properly punished by Philadelphia, who were simply to good in the hitting department .

The Rays hitting was once again out of sync and Evan Longoria had another nightmare evening chasing the wrong pitches and he simply does not look the same player he was against Boston in the ALCS.

The really bad news for the Rays is that Cole Hamels is starting pitcher for Philadelphia Monday night against Scott Kazmir for Tampa.

Hamels comes in to game 5 with a record of 4-0 in the post-season and this is a repeat match up of game 1 but the circumstances are very different. Kazmir did not pitch badly in the first game but the Rays have reached the point of no return. The Phillies meanwhile are like sharks smelling blood in the water now as they are just one win away from being crowned world champions.

Tampa has to try and strike early in this do or die game and the only hope they have is to score a couple of runs early and try to hold on.

Philadelphia in my view will be hard to beat Monday night and the [1.55] price looks appropriate. The Rays will not go down without a fight but it will be difficult for them not to think of the hot Florida sun and the flight home if they fall behind early in the game.

Today's headline in the Tampa Bay Tribune is 'Hammered'. Sometimes one word is just enough.