By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Fearful New York Yankees fans can almost taste it: The bitter defeat of losing the last three games of the 2009 World Series to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The first loss occurred Monday night, when the Phillies pounded the Yankees 8-6. That cut New York's Series lead to 3-2 games.

But no worry, right? The Yankees play the last two games (if both are needed) at home.

As much of the rest of the nation hopes the Yankees fall on their face in these two games, the real fans in New York have the same fear:

This could be a near-repeat of 2004, when the Yankees were cruising into the World Series, led the Boston Red Sox 3-0 in the American League Championship Series -- and then lost the final four games.

And guess what: The last two were home games at the old Yankees Stadium.

Could 2009 be a repeat of 2004 in that regard? Let's hope so.