It's like this: Stud starting pitching to get you through seven Two or three solid bullpen pitchers through 9 (or 10 tops) (This is hoping to hold the other guys to 1 to 3 runs) Meanwhile, you get one maybe two guys on an inning (hoping that they're one of the faster ones and it's early) Then you hope that at least ONE batter can deliver some kind of contact to move them Pray for a break or two You win by one to three runs (on a good day) This is how it's been ALL season (since June) and ALL preseason. Nothing different. If one or more of these fails, all bets are off. Even in the Series. Bottom line: 30 teams started and we're one of the last two. Be glad. You can't do it with mirrors forever.