World Series Preview
So far on this blog, I have tried previewing one series and I am oh-for-one. But as the popular saying goes, whenever you fail, try, try again. So here I am once more, trying to predict the outcome of the final series in the 2007 MLB season.
After several short, and one long, playoff rounds, the two teams left are the Boston Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies. My hat goes off to both teams. The Rockies are a team that no one would have picked before the playoffs began, or the season for that matter, while the Red Sox overcame great adversity against Cleveland to get to the Fall Classic at all. Again, congratulations to both teams.
With that said, only one team is going to walk away with baseball’s greatest achievement. So which will it be? Well to answer, let’s look at each team’s strengths and weaknesses.
Pitching - During their miraculous winning streak, the Colorado Rockies have gotten solid contributions out of everyone, including their starting line-up, but they have nowhere near the talent Boston does in arms. Josh Beckett has already won a World Series MVP with Florida. Curt Schilling has helped two teams win titles. And the bullpen of the Sox rarely gives up leads when it has a chance to close a game. The advantage here clearly goes to Boston.
Hitting - Coming out of the regular season, the Red Sox had the fourth-most runs scored and the Rockies had the fifth-most in the majors. Colorado has gotten timely hitting and clutch bats throughout their last twenty games or so. But so has Boston. In fact, the Sox hitters scored thirty runs over the past three games. Picking a winner in this category is just too tough, so for now we will go with even.
Managers - With no disrespect meant towards the Rockies’ skipper, Terry Francona has been here before and left successfully. And he has came back from two big deficits in ALCS rounds.
Overall - The Rockies have been proving everyone wrong throughout October, but to win the World Series they will have to overcome superior talent and heavy odds. Its hard to go against a superior pitching staff, especially when the batting is about even.
Prediction - Red Sox in six.
