The Red Sox and Phillies opened up a three-game set on Tuesday night in Philadelphia, and Cliff Lee pitched like the Cliff Lee from the 2009 postseason. Actually, he pitched even better, as he hurled his third consecutive shutout and the Phils beat Josh Beckett to take the opener 5-0.
Was it a sign of things to come?
Of course, this requires you to look ahead just a little bit — beyond the 84 remaining regular-season games, beyond the division series and the championship series and to the Fall Classic. Will it be the Red Sox and Phillies?
Just last week, the teams were Nos. 1 and 2 in all of baseball in terms of record (an interleague slide for the Sox has pushed them back a bit), so you know they're powerhouses.
Both teams, while imposing, will have worthy opponents along the way. The Yankees, Rays and even the Tigers figure to compete throughout the year in the AL, while the Giants and Braves look to be contenders as well. That's excluding the team or two that always emerges as the hot team in August and September.
But for now, think ahead and picture the 2011 World Series. Will it be Cliff Lee-Josh Beckett once again?
Tuesday, June 28: Who is the Phillies' toughest starting pitcher?
Will the Red Sox and Phillies meet in the World Series?Market Research
