AP Photo

There was no way to expect what Chase Utley did last night in the opening game of the World Series, of course.

He is playing hurt, after all, or at least that was the assumption as he figuratively limped through the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers, falling into a slump at the plate and double-clutching on some throws from second base.

There was no way to expect what Utley did to set the tone for this Series, because this is the time of year in which he becomes worn down by the grind of the six-month season and is operating purely on fumes. At least that is how it seemed.