As I sit and wait for the rain delay to end and Game 3 of the World Series to start, I’ve got some WS news and notes on my mind. So instead of watching a repeat of an activity-less 9th inning from Game 2 and The Cleveland Show on FOX, I’m actually focusing on the game ahead (and not be distracted by Ozzie Guillen).

Rain, rain go away!

It looked like it was going to rain all day on the east coast and there were only some sprinkles mid-day, but then as the start of this game was coming, the flood gates opened. But you know what, it’s still better than starting the game and having a delay, such as Game 5 of the 2008 WS in Philly. Lucky for FOX and their TV ratings, it’s Saturday and not a weekday.

I read that Greg Dobbs was not the only Phillies players who had flu-like symptoms. I mentioned in Thursday’s wrap-up of Game 2 that Dobbs was sent back to Philadelphia to rest up for Saturday’s game, so Matt Stairs started at DH for him. Well, apparently Brad Lidge was sick, as well as some other people in the clubhouse. They couldn’t have picked a worse time to get sick, but this is what can happen if games go into November!

I just saw Cole Hamels – the Game 3 starter – leaning in a chair in the Phillies bullpen. I guess he’s not too nervous about the game ahead. Good news for Phillies phans, even though that really has no correlation about how he will do in the game.

I’m thinking about what is missing from this World Series, in what is a matchup between two power house teams. Then I realized, it’s Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez and Phillies 1B Ryan Howard. These two stars who carried their teams in the first two rounds in the postseason have a TON of strikeouts so far. Let’s see if this change of scenery helps them pick it up.

I always knew Phillies phans were clowns

After monitoring CC Sabathia during Friday’s off day workout, Joe Girardi is expected to announce that Sabathia will be starting Game 4 on Sunday night against Joe Blanton and the Phillies. I heard earlier on Saturday that Chad Gaudin may be the Game 4 starter, but Girardi isn’t stupid enough to do that. He wouldn’t be allowed back in the state of New York if he started Gaudin over Sabathia, even if CC would be throwing in three days rest. As for the Phils, Cliff Lee, despite his masterful start in Game 1, has NEVER pitched on three days rest, so he will have full rest in Game 5 on Monday night in Philly.

One note for Game 3, Nick Swisher will be starting after not starting in Game 2. It’s to be seen if the day off made him more focused from his struggling ways this postseason. Then again, it’s Nick Swisher, not very likely.

Well, The Cleveland Show is still on, so it’s not baseball-time yet. But I’m sure this game will be played, so check back later for MLBtoday.net’s opinionated wrap-up after the game!