Red Sox/Rockies World Series Preview

So I finally found the time to create a blog. I love to write and I love baseball so I figured I should keep a year-round baseball blog to keep me occupied, especially in the off-season. The more and more I watch baseball the less I care about other sports, I'm sure if your actually reading this random baseball blog you feel the same way I do.

But anyway, let's get to what really matters:

The Rox and Sox

Let's start with the Colorado Rockies. A team that was once a Tony Gwynn Jr. strike away from not even being in the postseason at all to sweeping their way to the World Series. Led by the Triple H's (Todd Helton, Matt Holiday, and Brad Hawpe) and veteran-rookie Troy Tulowitzki, the Rockies have rattled off victories in 21 of their past 22 games. Postseason experience has apparently not been a factor as only Wily Taveras (Houston Astros in 2005) and LaTroy Hawkins (Minnesota Twins) have been to the postseason before.

The ultimate team with everyone on the team contributing something this postseason (anyone else notice the Rockies best hitter this postseason has been Yorvit Torrealba?)

Despite the Rockies hitting at a .242 clip in the postseason they have won many close games with clutch hitting as the Rox have doubled their opponents RBI totals in both series.

But like the saying goes, pitching and fielding are what wins games in the postseason. This is exactly why the Rockies are here. As a team in the postseason their team ERA is a ridiculous 2.08 with 7 wins and 6 saves. They have also commited 3 errors, only one of these errors (Kazuo Matsui) was commited by an infielder or outfielder. During the season they only commited 68 errors and had a .989 fielding percentage by far leading the Major Leagues.

Now pitching and fielding are usually where games are won in the postseason.

But when you have above average pitching, above average fielding, clutch hitting, and an above average offense you have...

The Boston Red Sox.

Now the Sooooxxxx are here, well, pretty much because they are the new Yankees. High payroll, lots of firepower on the mound and at the plate, egos abound, Manny being Manny (A-Rod being A-Rod), all that good stuff.

But Theo Epstein is very smart (a Yale graduate and Billy Beane protégé) and has figured out ways to make it work without being a puppet of owners John Henry, Larry Lucchino, and Tom Werner (who was apparently out by the Green Monster with the fans signing autographs after last night's game).

So far this postseason the Red Sox have been riding the backs of Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz to a team .304 batting average, 15 homers and 67 RBIs. This almost exactly doubles the Rockies postseason stats (.242 avg, 7 homers, and 32 RBIs). The team's pitching has struggled at times with Josh Beckett, Hideki Okajima, and Jonathan Papelbon being the only consistently effective contributors.

The Sox haven't exactly breezed through the postseason, in fact, without three clutch pitching outings by Beckett, Curt Schilling, and Daisuke Matsuzaka, they would be on their way back to Boston. Well, I guess they still are, but with a World Series Championship well in reach.

Now for a quick breakdown and some predictions....

Game 1: Beckett (3-0, 1.17 ERA) vs. Jeff Francis (2-0, 2.13 ERA)

As stellar as Francis has been this postseason Beckett has been even better posting a 1.17 era to Francis's 2.13. This game will be a pitcher's duel no doubt with someone unexpected being a major contributor. I'd say Jacoby Ellsbury will make a late-inning appearance and get a deciding hit. Final score: 3-1 Red Sox

Game 2: Schilling (2-0, 3.38 ERA) vs. Ubaldo Jimenez (0-0, 1.59 ERA)

The Rockies will recover here as Schilling will go only 6 innings and let up 4 runs. Jimenez will come up big going 7 innings while Brian Fuentes and rookie closer Manny Corpas will do the rest. Brad Hawpe is due, he should be big in this one. Final score: 6-2 Rockies

Game 3: Matsuzaka (1-1, 5.65 ERA) vs. Josh Fogg (2-0, 1.13 ERA)

This is the game where Josh Fogg remembers why he has a career 4.90 ERA. He won't last long as the Red Sox will get to him early and often. Dice-K will have a mediocre, but serviceable 6 inning, 3 run outing. If this game is close it will be high scoring. Look for Ramirez and Ortiz to flex their muscles in this one. Final score: 9-5 Red Sox

Game 4: Beckett (or Tim Wakefield) vs. Francis

The Rockies won't be screwing around and go with their ace on three days rest while the Red Sox would be wise to keep Wakefield as far away from the mound at Coors Field as possible. I'll say Beckett takes the mound vs. Francis. He's not as effective as game 1 but still serviceable. He gets pulled after 6 innings (2 runs) so he can pitch a possible game 7. Francis will outduel Beckett here. Look for Holiday and Helton to come through against the Red Sox bullpen in front of the home crowd. Final score: 6-3 Rockies

Game 5: Schilling vs. Jimenez

The final game at Coors field will be a good one as Schilling and Jimenez will keep it close. Though Schilling will get pulled after 6 because of his age. Look for the Red Sox to try to get 2 innings out of Papelbon here. Jimenez will be solid, but this time the Rockies bullpen will be spotty in middle relief. Look for a shaky Red Sox defense to keep it close but the Sox will pull this one out. Youkilis and Pedroia will be big here. Final score: 6-4 Red Sox

Game 6: Matsuzaka vs. Fogg

This will be all she wrote for the Colorado Rockies, it was a fun season but the back-end of the Rockies rotation and middle relief just doesn't cut it. It really shows here. Look for Mike Lowell to have a solid game, in his last as a Red Sock. David Ortiz will also homer here. Look for Jacoby Ellsbury to show why he'll be the starting center fielder for the Red Sox next year. The Red Sox will finally be able to celebrate a World Championship at Fenway. It was nice while it lasted Colorado. Final score: 8-3 Red Sox, 2007 World Series Champions

And the aftermath.....



Al Leiter will make his triumphant return to Boston frat houses!


















And Manny will of course be Manny....












But sadly, David Wright will not return to Posh because it is no more :(






But most importantly......



Lots of free tacos for all!!!


This will most likely be the longest post I'll write, well unless I get bored at the beginning of next baseball season and do a full-out season preview. Though most likely I'll just preview the NL and AL eastern divisions. I might post again before the World Series is over, depending on the time I have. I'll be commenting on transactions and baseball rumors throughout the offseason.

I'm also going to Cooperstown this weekend, I'll be posting pictures here.

Tell your friends about my blog, I'm always up for discussing baseball.

Take care.