World Series Preview

Tomorrow night it will be the Colorado Rockies vs. Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. While many probably had the Red Sox in the World Series, not many (or any) had the Rockies. The odds were at 200-to-1 in Spring Training and with 2 weeks to go in the World Series it did not look like they would even make the playoffs.

Everybody knows the Rockies are the hottest team in baseball, but they have been so hot they have been off for 8 days. Mark Bradley says this layoff will hurt, which means it won't. They even had an indoor simulated game and batting practice on Sunday due to snow. The Red Sox are probably the better team overall, but will this equal a victory?

Who will the Red Sox play in Colorado? Obviously they want Big Papi's bat in the lineup so it probably means Youkilis will go to 3rd and Lowell will be on the bench. However, in doing this they put a hot bat on the bench, as Lowell is hitting .333 with 11 RBI in the postseason. Thing is the other 2 are even hotter (Ortiz .387, 3 hrs.; Youklis .425, 4 hrs.). Some would say it is a good problem to have, but say a huge advantage for the Rockies.

Game 1: Jeff Francis vs. Josh Beckett (Boston)
Beckett has been absolutely lights out in the playoffs and is a former World Series MVP. When somebody can throw mid 90 and then snaps off a curve ball like him it is flat out scary. This is the battle of team that can't lose against and the pitcher who looks like he can't lose either. Something has to give and I don't think it will be Beckett. Sox take game 1.

Game 2: Umbaldo Jimenez vs. Curt Schilling (Boston)
This would have been Tim Wakefield's start, but he is out with a sore shoulder. I like Jimenez and think he pulls out this game, whether or not there is a bloody sock.

Game 3: Dice-K vs. Josh Fogg (Colorado)
Fogg is 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA in the postseason. Like the rest of the Rockies he is hot and I think he gives the Rockies the Series lead.

Game 4: Jon Lester v. Aaron Cook (Colorado)
I really have no feeling on this one, but since I think this will go 7 games I will pick the Red Sox here.

Projected Lineups (w/ DH)
Colorado
CF Willy Taveras
2B Kaz Matsui
LF Matt Holliday
1B Todd Helton
3B Garrett Atkins
RF Brad Hawpe
SS Troy Tulowitzki
DH Ryan Spilborghs
C Yorvit Torrealba

Boston
2B Dustin Pedroia
1B Kevin Youkilis
DH David Ortiz
LF Manny Ramirez
3B Mike Lowell
RF J.D. Drew or Bobby Kielty
C Jason Varitek
CF Jacoby Ellsbury (Coco Crisp is banged up)
SS Julio Lugo

Most of the experts are picking the Red Sox. Sure they have experience and showed great resilience in their comeback against the Indians, but it is hard to pick against the Rockies right now. Besides how much does the experience really matter? In my eyes the Rockies just look like a team of destiny and like the Cardinals last year they are hot at the right time. I'm a National League guy and I go with Rockies in 7 when Eric Gagne (why is he on the roster?) has to come in and blows it late.

If you are very confident in the Rockies, Vegas says you can win some money.