Phillies Beat Rays 3-2 in Game 1…

The Philadelphia Phillies shook off a week’s worth of waiting and turned it into a World Series win by edging the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in the opener on Wednesday.

Cole Hamels escaped trouble to win his fourth postseason start, and Chase Utley hit a two-run homer in the first inning for the Phillies, who showed little evidence of rust.

They’ll try to make it two in a row at Tropicana Field when Brett Myers pitches against James Shields in Game 2 on Thursday.

The team that won the opener has won the Series 63 of 103 times, including 10 of the last 11. But the team with home-field advantage has won 18 of the last 22 titles.

The Rays flopped in their first game in Major League Baseball’s ultimate event, managing just five hits.

Hamels, MVP of the National League Championship Series, improved to 4-0 with a 1.55 ERA this postseason. The composed left-hander allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings.

Ryan Madson pitched a perfect eighth. Brad Lidge worked the ninth for his 47th save in 47 chances this year, silencing the Rays and their cowbell-clanging fans.

We are certainly looking forward to Game 2!