Daily Loaf

That’s better. 4-2 Rays. They won in a different fashion last night — no dramatic home runs or barrages of hits. Instead, they pieced together this win. How about two ground ball outs that drove in runs? How about Rocco Baldelli beating a throw to first?

B.J. Upton’s two key opposite-field singles that set the tone.

And, of course, James Shields doing his bend-but-don’t-break bit, pitching out of jams, striking out guys with men and third and less than two outs, throwing shutout ball.

Dan Wheeler was efficient. David Price looked like a rookie for a minute, then he didn’t. Another bend-don’t-break effort. I was never particularly concerned when the Phillies mounted their mini-comeback late in the game. This one just seemed in the bag.

Now the World Series moves to Philadelphia. National League rules. The pitcher takes his cuts. That’s not much of advantage for the Phillies. They play outdoors. The Rays know how to play outdoors. It’s a bigger adjustment for the Phillies in the Trop than it is for the Rays at the Phillies park. My big wish, a could-be difference-maker:

I hope to hell it’s not cold. Mid 40s-type cold. Now that’s something the Rays are not used to. Hell, let’s check the forecast. 90 percent chance of rain on Saturday night. Sunday: sunny with a high of 61, low of 44. If Saturday’s a rainout and they have to play Monday: high 60, low 37.

Hmmm. Under the lights, my guess is that game temps will be in the 50s. We’ll see how it plays out.

A quick note on last night’s telecast: Joe Buck and Tim McCarver got into Baldelli’s muscle fatigue syndrome with some very compelling specifics — for instance, his legs shake and cramp by the fifth inning. Makes it all the more impressive that he’s even out there, and beating out infielder’s throws … and crashing into the catcher at home plate.

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