The Rays knew they had a difficult test with equally terrific Phillies starter Cole Hamels in Game 1. Sure enough, Hamels was tremendous, shutting down the Rays and stealing the home-field advantage.

But from here on out, the Rays have a decided pitching edge.

If the Phillies don’t start hitting in the clutch, it won’t matter, anyway.

Through two games, the Phillies are 1-for-30 with runners in scoring position, including an 0-for-13 effort in Game 1 that set a World Series single-game record.

This is no time to tighten up. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel knows it.

“Actually, this might be the sloppiest game we’ve played all season,’’ Manuel said. “I’m concerned about us hitting with guys on base because it looks like at times we might be trying a little too hard. But we can fix that.’’

Against the Rays, though, the Phillies’ offense might be in a fix.

Game 3 will bring right-hander Matt Garza, a hard thrower who has the best stuff on Tampa Bay’s staff, and then it’s righty Andy Sonnanstine, who likes to paint the corners. Every night out, it will be a different speed, a different rhythm.

That’s not good news for a Phillies’ team that already has some offensive doubts.

“I’m sure getting back home will help us,’’ Manuel said. “We’ve had more chances to score than they had. We just didn’t execute and score enough runs.’’

Tampa Bay’s young staff probably had something to do with that.

Get used to it.

You’re going to hear more from these Rays pitchers in future seasons.

Deep into October, deep into the postseason, it looks like they feel right at home.

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