"It was billed, by the fans and in the media, as a World Series preview. But after three days and three games, did anyone learn anything about the Red Sox or the Phillies that they didn't already know?

Only that it's too early to really know anything.

If the Phillies' pitching stays healthy, they're undoubtedly the class of the National League. But lefty Cole Hamels, one of their four aces, took an Adrian Gonzalez line drive off his right hand in the fourth inning yesterday, a major reason the Red Sox were able to avoid a sweep with a 5-2 victory in Citizens Bank Park.

And for as many runs as the Red Sox have scored this season, their lineup is far less fearsome without David Ortiz, whose impact is nearly nonexistent in the designated hitter-less world occupied by NL teams.

"We lose David, that's a lot," said catcher Jason Varitek, who launched two homers against Phillies relievers and helped guide lefty Jon Lester through seven strong innings. "But that could change when we get (injured left fielder) Carl (Crawford) back.""