Stunning, right? I mean — ten strikeouts? Almost all of them swinging strikeouts? One run off, what, five hits? That playful tap on Jorge’s backside? That ‘nother-day-at-the-office popfly catch? Losing that game hurt like hell. You don’t want to lose game 1, and certainly not at home. But it almost feels like an honor to be beaten by a pitcher who performed as masterfully as Cliff Lee.

You know, almost.

Tonight is must-win. No great controversy in saying that. The man who famously stated “The Yankees are my daddy” is opposing us, for the millionth time. My friend John Amato from Crooks & Liars just called me up to tell me that Pedro had some psycho press conference at the end of yesterday’s game to make all types of grandiose pronouncements. He’s clearly going to be pitching with something to prove, because he has a lot to prove, particularly against this team.

I have my questions about the lineup, too, something else John alerted me about. Girardi is starting Hairston in right because of Swisher’s plate woes. No Posada tonight, as Molina is catching A.J. as per the norm. But Matsui is DHing even though he’s 4 for 28 against Pedro. I guess that’s to reserve the right to have Posada pinchhit and take Molina’s place without messing up the ability to keep the designated hitter. Then again, maybe Posada isn’t in the lineup for simpler reasons. I’m not enough of a baseball strategist to secondguess Girardi, but should something go wrong tonight, the “over-manager!” chorus is going to become deafening.

But come on. We light Pedro up. We’ve lit him up in his goddamn prime. It’s time to go to Philly with a split series. This team, like great Yankee teams of the past, plays well when it feels under pressure. I may get to this thread late owing to an obligation, but let’s consider last night brushed off. You’re now tuned in to the motherfucking greatest.