The short answer: probably not.If you want the longer answer, well, keep reading.
On October 15, the Colorado Rockies completed their improbable run the World Series, beating the Diamondbacks 6-4 for their 21st win in the past 22 games.
Eight days later, we all know this. In the interim, Denver's gotten its first snow of the season, the Red Sox have polished off a huge comeback against the gagging Indians, and Rockies fans have crashed the mainframe trying to get their paws on World Series tickets.
I don't know about you, but that sounds to me like plenty of time for baseball's hottest team to cool off.
An AP World Series position-by-position preview -- and you can take it for what it's worth -- gives the Rockies the edge at just two categories, shortstop and center field. I might argue that Matt Holliday has the edge over Manny Ramirez in left field, but other than that, all advantages go fairly to the Sox.
Boston's starting pitching -- they'll go with Beckett, Schilling and Matsuzaka -- has the ability to dominate a Rockies lineup that's much less familiar with their styles than were the Indians. And while Francis may have the stuff to give Beckett a run for his money in Game 1, but beyond that, it's rookie Ubaldo Jimenez and journeyman Josh Fogg.
The Rockies bullpen has been surprisingly good, but they rely on a relatively untested commodity in rookie closer Manny Corpas. The Red Sox's pen had some struggles late in the season and early on in the ALCS, but man for man it is one of the best in the game.
Colorado does have a great lineup, but if the series turns to a slugfest, Boston has the edge there, too.
Momentum figured to be the one department in which the Rockies would have the edge over the ALCS winner, but the abbreviated NLCS and the long, drawn-out, and dramatic ALCS pretty much flipped that advantage upside down.
Predictions and probability aside, I'd love to see the Rockies' miraculous streak continue and have them knock off the now-pompous Red Sox. I'm just not getting my hopes up.
Prediction: Boston wins in 5 games
4 comments:
I've got my hopes up and am willing to wager on the Creme de Colorado. You failed to mention that when Colorado visited Boston, the Rockies took 2 out of three, and that was before anyone would have ever guessed they'd be NL champs. I don't expect a sweep (although that would be another pleasant surprise), but before the embers in California cool off, Colorado will be the World Series champs.
Meh... 7 game series, anything can and usually does happen. Obviously Boston is the favorite, but anyone has a chance in a short series. I mean, the Cardinals were the World Series champs last year... and they sucked. So yes, I would say the Rockies, easily the hottest team in baseball have a chance. I'd give Boston the edge, but I bet it's closer to 50/50 than you might think.
I'm not really confident about Dice-K and Wakefield pitching Games 3-4 at Coors Field.
But, if they can take care of business at home, the Sox should win it pretty handily.
I'm going to have to stick with my Rockies in 5 prediction even after last night. I don't think Boston takes any in Colorado, obviously. They'll have to decide between Youkelis and Ortiz at 1st, and that's a significant chunk out of your lineup. Plus watching Manny suck wind in left over in Colorado will be high comedy.
Luke
Post a Comment