This past week has been a bitch. First pitch can’t get here any quicker.

Everyone is picking against the Phillies. Hell, even Jayson Stark is picking the Yankees, and he probably has a book deal lined up if he is wrong.

The Phillies are the more seasoned playoff team; the defending World F. Champs, yet no one is giving us a shot to win. In the last 5 playoff series, we’ve lost 5 games. Every talking head out there is predicting we’ll nearly match that in one week.

Every other playoff series is nice, but when you see your team in the World Series, it’s enough to bring tears to your eyes. You’re so proud that they got there, and you have tons of faith that they’ll do their best, but you’re petrified anyway. So much can go wrong.

Beat these Yankees. Grab legendary status. Own this town, forever.

What all of the pundits never seem to talk about are the stuff that doesn’t get a column on the stat sheets. Because you can’t quantify it. You can’t divide it into another number to prove your point. You just know it when you see it. Heart. Confidence. Sticktoitiveness. Resolve.

The Yankees may have it to. They’ve had tons of comeback wins late in games and that certainly speaks to heart.

But the Phillies have in bucketfuls. They aren’t headed to New York to put on a good showing.

They’re going there to win.