Cliff Lee is the ace.

OK, I just violated the first lesson I ever learned in journalism class — always present news in your lede.

When the Phillies take to the field at the plush new Yankee Stadium, or the expansive Angel Stadium, for Game 1 of the 2009 World Series, Lee will be on the mound. The man has posted a 2-0 record with a sub 1.00 ERA this postseason.

The ALCS winner will dictate the Phillies World Seres rotation.

After Lee, however, the rotation has solid pitchers but many questions about whom would pitch better where and when.

If Cole Hamels was even a soft taco shell of his dominant 2008 postseason self, he’d be the man to take the field for Game 2. He’s not even close.

For Cole and Pedro Martinez, the question of whom the Phillies face could ultimately decide where they line up in the rotation.

If the Phillies end up playing the Yankees, the guess here is that Hamels takes the mound for Game 2. He gets it by default.

Blanton and Happ will start this series again in the bullpen, meaning neither will see the mound as a starter until game 4 at the earliest.

Pedro can’t pitch in Yankee Stadium. Not after the last time he pitched against the Yankees in the postseason. The year was 2004. Pedro declared the Yankess “are my daddy.” Chants of “Who’s your Daddy?” resonated throughout Yankee Stadium that series. Pedro and the Phils don’t need that.

As a result, the rotation against New York has to be Lee, Hamels, Pedro and Blanton. Let Pedro pitch with the crowd behind him. Cole is a crapshoot at this point, so the environment shouldn’t be a concern.

If the Yankees continue the New York Choker theme they established in 2004 and that the Mets continued the last few years, the rotation could set up differently.

Another trip to Los Angeles should move Pedro to Game 2. He’d likely be able to log more innings in warmer weather. Against the Angels, the rotation should go Lee, Pedro, Hamels, Blanton.