What an interesting match up the baseball muses have created for us. One team merely 14 years old, the other well over 100. One team has the second highest payroll in the league (and the only of the top 10 to ever win it all), the other is 27th out of 30. One team took the lead early and held on to it the entire season, the other came on very late needing to force a "play-in" play-off just to get to the post season and has won 20 out of the last 21 games. One team finished with the second to worst record for teams in the playoffs, the other with the best. One team was nick-named "kid Rock" and the other has players in their 40's. One team was picked to win it all in April, the other was picked to get a high draft pick. And now they must face off!
It's odd to see the things that the Red Sox used to do happening to their opponents. In 2004 vs the Yanks it was a key ground rule double that prevented the runner on first from scoring preserving a tie game. Against the Cards it was Suppan miss hearing the 3rd base coach and not only not scoring, but being so bamboozled that he was gunned out trying to go back to third by a cannon of a throw from Ortiz! This year it was Lofton's listening to the "Dale Suaine" of the Indians and not scoring on the base hit down the third base line. It feels funny, like the ball went under the 1st baseman for the Mets, or Rivera threw the 11th inning bomb in 2003.
I've been impressed that we've won the games against Cleveland using all of the players in the line-up. When Manny and David couldn't do it, Dustin and Kevin stepped up. Even Jacoby and Lugo got into the mix in game seven. And who can forget J.D.'s heroics along with 'Tek's and Lowell's consistency! Now if our pitching can continue to be lights out, I think we have a good chance.
Colorado is a very young team! One could say that their success in the post season already shows that they aren't easily flappable by the big stage. But they haven't been to the World Series in Fenway yet!
I think that it takes Colorado a few games to settle down, dropping both in Fenway to the Sox. I think they take two out of three in their home park, but drop game six to come in second.
Game 1: 5 - 2 Sox
Actual: 13-1 Sox (Only a huge homer would've guessed that score!)
Game 2: 8 - 3 Sox
Actual: 2-1 Sox (see game 5, with incorrect winner? Schill strikes again!)
Game 3: 3 - 2 Rox
Game 4: 5 - 4 Sox
Game 5: 2 - 1 Rox
Game 6: 11- 4 Sox
Watch for some officiating assistance in game three to ensure that FOX gets at least 5 games out of the series.
I must admit, I'm a little embarrassed to add this, but it must be said: I was ever so slightly minutely minusculy disappointed that the Red Sox won against Cleveland. Watching the losses was so difficult and hoping that they would win was so stressful, that my body was nearly ready for the roller coaster to be over. One can't actually expect a sweep in the series. Both teams are there for a reason and will put up a good fight. Mind you, come the 8th inning of game 7 (once Dustin hit the two run jack) I was very excited that the stress from the ALCS was over and I had a few days of rest before the stress from the WS began.
Here is my line-up card that Terry will never use (along with some of my reasoning on the side)
1st Dustin 2B (ALROY, little man, big swing. Deserves this spot)
2nd Kevin 1B (I'd play him over Ortiz in the NL park)
3rd Ortiz DH (If he's hurt, I drop Lowell into this position)
4th Manny LF (Don't mess with what's working!)
5th Lowell 3B (if he's in for Ortiz, 'Tek here)
6th J.D Drew RF (He's finally hitting here, don't move him now!)
7th 'Tek C (w/Ortiz out, DH Hinske here. Get Tek in all 3 in CO)
8th Jacoby CF (He's got the bat and the glove, use Coco for late D)
9th Lugo SS (Get on base in front of the powerhouse front 5!)
As long as it doesn't jeopardize my marriage, ministry, or mental health (in that order) I will endeavor to watch every inning of the 2007 World Series.
(And don't forget, the last time the Sox won it all, so did the Pats! Will history repeat itself? I sure hope so!)
4 comments:
Words! Yea!! :-)
It'll be fun comparing your predictions with the scores. We TOTALLY hear you on the whole physical stress of watching the games thing! At the end of the 7th or 8th inning (the one with Lofton's third-base thing), I said to T. "You should call Marc and say 'Whew! That was excruciating!" It's the holding your breath, sitting on the edge of your chair, half-way exclaiming something, then catching yourself and shouting something else and holding your breath again that gets so tiring!
This whole post is awesome. :) I've felt similar stress watching NBA finals.
What a match-up, indeed!
I'd like to note that the favorite team is obvious. You'll notice it's not the "Sockies v the Rockies..."
Marc -
I'm sad to say you were a little off on your first game predictions. 13-1. Much better.
(note: not really sad! :) )
How awesome of a game was that. And was dustin the lead-off hitter WITH a home run? Good call on that one. Perhaps Terry saw this blog...
can't wait to hear what my folks say about that game.
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