Wednesday, October 24, 2007
World Series Preview
So the time has finally come. After six and half months and 170 some odd games, its finally time for the fall classic. And its the beasts from the east against the pests from the west. In this match-up of the unknown super hot kids vs. the big name, experienced vets - who has the upper hand?
Offense: Both teams have lineups that can beat you with the long ball or beat you with small ball. The Rockies have speed at the top, the Sox speed at the bottom. Both teams have the boppers in the middle. Obviously in a clutch spot theres no one I'd want up more than Papi, but I'd go to war with Holliday and Helton and feel ok. But in the end, its the gritty guys like Youkilis, Lowell, and Pedroia that will make the difference. Edge: Slight- to the Red Sox
Defense: Troy Tulowitzki and a team that makes no errors compared to Papi at first with those knees for three games? nuff said. Edge: Major- to the Rockies
Starting Pitching: We all know how good the the top of the Red Sox rotation is. Schilling has consistently been one of the best postseason pitchers while Beckett is the best postseason pitcher. But after that - its a crapshoot. I still dont trust DiceK at all, and not having Wakefield is gonna hurt. On the flipside, dont sleep on the Rockies starters. Jeff Francis is legit. He's a lefty who can mix up his stuff and throw a breaking ball in any count. The guy won 17 games for a reason. And Jimenez got some gas. But Fogg and Cook, probably worse than DiceK and Lester.
Edge: Moderate to the Red Sox
Bullpen: Keep Eric Gange as far away from the field as humanly possible. If the Sox can do that, they're pretty good. I have no idea how Okey-Dokey pitches without looking at home plate, but boy does he get the job done. And Papelbon is about as crazed and focused on the mound as anyone I've ever seen. But that bullpen in Colorado is pretty legit too. Corpas has been very effective since taking over for Fuentes, and Fuentes has been great as a set-up guy. Plus the Rocks got Affeldt and now Morales too to get Papi out. Edge: Push
So where does that leave us in the end? It's gonna be a very competitive series. Don't expect a lot of blowouts. But I think the layoff might slow the Rockies down just enough. And the Red Sox experience is a bigger factor than you think. This team actually believes that they can come back and win - which is a new thing in beantown. Damn doesnt this city win enough now?!?!
Prediction: Rocktober comes crashing down in 6
4 Comments:
I'm taking the Sox. The Rust will be the reason why the Rockies lose, and everyone will say how bad the MLB playoff scheduling is.
Obviously I'm taking the Sox, and it's easier to do that after Game 1 of course.
Looking at the pitching match-ups is tough. It's really 50/50 on the Sox starters after Beckett. I expect high scoring, competitive affairs in Game 3 and in Game 4, and possibly tonight in Game 2.
The Red Sox offense is as hot as they've been the entire season. It starts at the top with Pedroia and extends all the way to the bottom (surprisingly) with Julio and rookie sensation Jacoby Ellsbury (who will be a rookie next year too).
Pedroia, Youk, Papi, and Man-Ram are getting on base at RIDICULOUS rate right now.
Ubaldo Jimenez tonight has gas and only gas. If he falls behind hitters, it's going to be another long and rocky night for Colorado's "passionate" baseball fans.
Oh and of course.. Rocktober is like a stolen phrase since NESN has been using Soxtober for quite some time.
And.. this whole not losing thing is making it tough for me to complain about things.
Maybe I'll go watch the Bruins... then I'll have something to say.
Looks like the Sox rock.
Jon Lester, whom the world will be rooting for tonight (since you can't root against a guy who's coming back from cancer), will get the job done against a guy who probably isn't even healthy.
Tonight around 12am I plan to sing a few songs:
Dirty Water and Tessie, and I expect to see a 2007 Red Sox montage with "Shippin' up to Boston" as its music.
'Nuff Ced! McGreevy shouted, we're not here to mess around...
Boston, you are the only, only, ooo-onlyyy.
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