Come to Think of It...Cooking Up the Phillies Recipe for Success in Game 3

As we enter the pivotal Game Three of the 2008 World Series, Phillies Nation needs to cook up something good or face the prospect of being down 2-to-1 in the best of seven series.

Well, allow master "chef" and resident MLB writer Bob Warja to help dish out a recipe for success, if you will. (Rays fans, no offense, but I think you're doing just fine on your own).

The Rays are favored to win, perhaps because the American League is considered the stronger league. So let's see what menu of options exist for the boys from Philly.

First, start with one tablespoon of the "good" Jamie Moyer. He has to get back on his game.  He has not been good of late.  Could Father Time be catching up to the 45- year-old lefty? Or will Moyer's experience factor provide the seasoning the team needs?

Next, mix in the Matt Garza that pitched like he did in his seven regular season losses.  Thus far, he has been more like the guy who won the 11 games.  James Shields may be known as "Big Game" but Garza is their go-to guy. 

Then, to add some spice to the series, how about cooking up some clutch hits?  Thus far, the Phils are 1-for-28 with RISP and that simply cannot continue. And, keep hitting  home runs.

After that, stir in a mixture of solid relief pitching. One of the overlooked keys to the Rays incredible turnaround this season has been the improvement in its bullpen. If Moyer can get to the seventh inning, no problem.  

However, given Moyer's age and the way he's been pitching, chances are the Phils may have to dig into their bag of relievers a bit earlier than they would like.  So, the middle guys need to be ready.

Now, to avoid boiling over, let's hope the umpiring is better than it has been thus far.  Otherwise, the whole meal may be ruined by indigestion.

Serving the whole thing up are the managers, Joe Maddon and Charlie Manuel.  For the Phils to win, Charlie has got to do things like the Rays are doing, playing small ball and utilizing their outs more efficiently.

If not done properly, Phillies phans will be simmering.

For dessert, now that the Phightin' are home, they need to take advantage.  In other words, the fans should be loud and boisterous.

If the Phils can do all this, they have a phightin' chance. Come to think of it, that would be a pretty damn fine dish to serve up for their phans...