Whatever happens next — tonight, Wednesday, Thursday — we are 27 outs away from our 27th ring. Both sides of that equation must be respected. The Dodgers can tell you what happens if you expect the game to end after 26 outs and Jimmie Rollins comes to the plate. But we are very close here — so close that the Phillies have to play absurdly hard.

I expect to lose tonight. Cliff Lee put in a classic performance in Game 1. With Philly’s back to the wall, it’s hard to imagine he doesn’t put the team on his back. We’re still at Citizen’s Bank, and so the crowd is going to be a big factor. The defending champions will not want to lose their title at home. I don’t think they will.

But I also think we get that 27th ring. Like the rest of you, I saw every out of the 2004 ALCS, and so I take nothing for granted. But let’s say Lee’s great. Let’s say he shuts us down. Charlie Manuel didn’t want to pitch Lee on short rest last night against CC. Well, can Lee pitch on even shorter rest for Game 7? We all know CC can. And Wednesday night it’s Andy against Pedro, in Yankee Stadium. How many times can we light Pedro up before people get the message?

We need to play 27 outs — whether it’s tonight, or Wednesday, or Thursday. Let’s go. Nothing’s equivalent to the New York state of mind.