1. In today’s column, I wrote about the need for MLB to use more technology – notably instant replay – to get a greater frequency of close plays correct.

I do not suspect there will be a greater use of instant replay. Bud Selig is a staunch opponent. I wonder if that will continue if a few blown calls dirty up the World Series, too.

Regardless of how Selig moves forward on the technological front, the commissioner must demand an improved oversight of the umpires. There are many problems. Many of those who rate the umpires are former umpires, many of whom continue to feel a greater kinship to their former mates that truly evaluating the work.

I have seen long-time, but now retired ump Bruce Froemming regularly during this postseason working as an umpire evaluator. This would be the same Froemming who while employed as an umpire got autographs from players he was legislating over and who in 2003 was caught on tape making an anti-Semitic remark about an umpire administrator. Is this really the type of person that MLB wants working an important administrative post?

In my time covering baseball, the umpires performed the best when a no-nonsense, ex-Marine named Sandy Alderson oversaw the group. MLB has to put someone like that back in charge.

If there is going to be no additional technology what is needed is better training, discipline and rewards. The umps need to be re-trained to hustle better into ideal positions, and what those ideal positions are should be re-thought. Umps that consistently perform poorly need to have minor league demotions and job loss as potential outcomes. Umps that consistently perform well should get all the plum assignments such as the All-Star Games and World Series. No rotations. If the same guys keep getting the best jobs, so be it. The best teams are playing at this time of year; that should go for the umps, as well.

And MLB needs to think about getting all the training of umps under its umbrella. The idea that umps are trained by former umps in their schools rather than by full-time major league instructors is ridiculous.

2. It is just a hunch, but I do not think the Angels will be an easy out tonight. I think they are going to do everything possible to return to their baseball genetic composition, which is hyper-aggression. I think that because when faced with the kind of challenge ahead of them – survival or winter time – the Angels will seek the best of themselves, which is motion on the basis and aggressive hitting. And I think that is particularly true because A.J. Burnett is on the mound.

Burnett has done fine in his first two starts of the postseason. But he remains the Yankee starter that could be most easily rattled should the Angels get some baserunners and the Rally Monkey-fired-up crowd is in a frenzy. Burnett is susceptible to getting wild, allowing stolen bases, and losing his concentration and pace.

There will be a premium in Burnett doing what he has done so far this postseason, which is throw strikes, work quickly and do not let sparks turn into wildfires. In his first playoff start, against the Twins, Burnett kept Minnesota scoreless for five innings. In ALCS Game 2, he kept the Angels scoreless for four innings. Early success should matter tonight for Burnett, to strip the Angels’ will; in trying to get into the Angels’ head and make them begin to think if they really even want to try to make that cross-country flight again to New York.

3. For the first time in their history, the Phillies are heading to consecutive World Series. They are putting the building blocks to a dynasty together. They have won three straight division titles, two pennants and – so far – one title.

There is a note here for the Mets to be both very afraid and very encouraged. The fear part is easy. The Phillies’ confidence as a “we can do anything” group only continues to grow; and we are talking about a talent-laden group, most of whom are in their prime and just about all of whom will be back next year – with a strong farm system behind them.

But the Mets should recognize that before this three-year run began the Phillies finished second three straight times. They were viewed as a team not good enough or tough enough to take that next step.

So this can be done, of course. It just is going to be awful tough for the Mets to match the talent, fortitude and playoff-tested experience of this outstanding core group of Phillies.