By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune
NEW YORK – Eight months late, the Philadelphia Phillies return to Tropicana Field tonight.
“Sweet,” said Tampa Bay’s J.P. Howell, the losing pitcher in the decisive Game 5 of last year’s World Series at Citizens Bank Park. “Too bad we didn’t get them back for Games 6 and 7.”
Whatever happens over the next three evenings won’t make up for that disappointment, obviously, but there is a heightened sense of anticipation for many in the Rays’ clubhouse as the defending champs pay a visit.
The excitement might be cranked up a few notches if the Rays hadn’t already seen the Phillies in spring training and a two-game exhibition set in Philadelphia the weekend before the start of this season.
“It’ll be nice that it’s on our own turf now,” said Rays designated hitter Pat Burrell, the man with more invested in the series than anyone else as a longtime Phillies star. “In the big picture, no, it’s not a big deal. We need to start winning some games; that’s the important thing. But it should be good from a marketing standpoint – I imagine we’ll probably sell some tickets, being that it’s a World Series matchup and all that.” More – TBO.com
