It's all Nick Swisher's fault.

"Curled up on couches, the National League champion Philadelphia Phillies must have broken into Cheshire cat grins. These New York Yankees are powerful, but not so perfect after all. These Los Angeles Angels are plucky, but they’ll undo themselves as often as not."

You're wrong.

The Yankees are perfect. Their #8 hitter, Nick Swisher, is the first batter since Ted Williams to bat .400 over the course of an entire season.


"The only thing more promising to the Phillies than watching Angels closer Brian Fuentes try to retire Yankees batter Nick Swisher with the bases loaded and two out in the ninth was watching Swisher try to square up one of Fuentes’ eminently hittable offerings."

Jeez. Batters make outs all the time.

Were the Phillies watching the Yankees put up a six-spot in the 7th inning?


"It was like capping a spectacular meal with stale cake and lukewarm coffee."

I agree. Swisher should have hit a homerun.


"The 7-6 victory Thursday night that kept the Angels alive in the American League Championship Series and forced a Game 6 on Saturday in New York was rife with heroics. It just didn’t end with any."

Unless you're the Angels pitcher.


"Fuentes entered in the ninth and recorded two quick outs, bringing up Alex Rodriguez. Manager Mike Scioscia has zero confidence in Fuentes’ ability to retire the Yankees slugger since their 11th-inning matchup in Game 2 resulted in a home run, so A-Rod was walked intentionally. But rather than attack the left-handed Hideki Matsui, Fuentes picked around the strike zone, walking him. Then he hit Robinson Cano, loading the bases."

Thanks for the recap, Mr. Sports Writer!


"Two teams with questions will go at it at least once more in the ALCS. The team that had all the answers in the NLCS will relax and enjoy watching. Especially if weaknesses continue to be revealed the way they were by Fuentes and Swisher."

Both the AL teams are really good. Not "perfect," but really good.

The teams combined for 13 runs. During the process, 51 players made out, which is typical of major-league baseball games. I don't really know why Swisher's particular would have much of an effect on the outcome of the World Series. Cliff Lee might give up four HRs in the first inning of game one.