One word describes this World Series matchup:
Momentum.
No team in recent history has ridden an emotional high more effectively than the Rockies.
Colorado won 14 out of 15 to finish the regular season, then swept the Phillies and the Diamondbacks to earn a berth in the Fall Classic.
The Rockies are hitting only .242 as a team, but they've been able to win games on the strength of amazing pitching performances.
The Rockies staff has a combined 2.08 ERA in the postseason, with opponents hitting a paltry .221. Jeff Francis and Josh Fogg are a combined 4-0.
And then there are the Red Sox.
Left for dead after Game Four against the Indians, the Red Sox did what they do best—come back.
In 2003, Josh Beckett helped his Florida Marlins rebound from a 3-1 NLCS deficit against the Cubs. He was instrumental in helping the Red Sox pull the same trick this year.
The Sox also got solid efforts from Curt Schilling (two runs in seven innings in Game Six) and Daisuke Matsuzaka (two runs in five innings in Game Seven).
As it stands, the Red Sox are hot—while the Rockies are coming off eight days of rest. It's hard to maintain momentum with so much downtime.
And that could make all the difference come Wednesday night.
Starting Pitching Edge: Red Sox
I'll take Beckett, Schilling, and Dice-K in any series over Francis, Fogg, and Ubaldo Jimenez.
Bullpen Edge: Rockies
The Rockies are stacked with Manny Corpas, Brian Fuentes, LaTroy Hawkins, and Matt Herges—who have a combined ERA of 1.61.
Offensive Edge: Red Sox
Yes, the Rockies do have a talented young offense led by Matt Holliday and Todd Helton—but Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Mike Lowell, and Dustin Pedroia give the Sox the advantage. The series might come down to who has the better bench. Which goes to the Sox, who have Eric Hinske, Kevin Youlkilis, and Jacoby Ellsbury.
Defensive Edge: Rockies
This was easy. Led by Troy Tulowitzki, Helton, and Willy Taveras, the Rockies' D is the best in baseball. Remember too that Big Papi will have to play first base with no DH in the National League.
Prediction: Red Sox in 5
The Rockies might be able to squeeze out a win—but the great story will finally come to an end against a better opponent.
Red Sox fans getting spoiled?
No, only getting what they deserve:
Another World Series Champion.
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11 months ago
Don't underestimate the Rockies ridiculous streak and the momentum that brings. They're just riding the wave right now, whereas the Red Sox are exhausted from a 7 game series in which they had to throw out everything they had to hold off and beat the Indians. The Rockies are rested and ready to pick up where they left off in their streak. Rockies in 4.
11 months ago
I'm not underestimating the Rockies, it's just very difficult to play after eight days of rest. I'm sure the Rockies would of rather played right away after sweeping past the D'Backs. It could very well be a series that is drawn out into 6 games. We shall see.
11 months ago
The Rockies have had time to get everyone rested and healed and set up there rotation and bullpen. 21 of 22 is no fluke and the Rockies will take this in 5 or 6. DIce K is overpaid and overratted and Schilling is over the hill. Beckett is the only real pitcher on that staff. Paplebon is the only reliable person in the bullpen.
11 months ago
Yeah, so you are saying, Josh Fogg, a pitcher who was been nothing but less than average throughout his career. With a 4.97 ERA in the majors is better than Schilling or Dice-K? No way. Then there is Jeff Francis who is the only pitcher on this staff that is somewhat proven himself as a good pitcher. Then again Francis isn't even that good. And Eric Gagne is a hole in the bullpen. But don't say that Paplebon is the only reliable reliever. How about, Mike Timlin and Hideki Okajima. Both have yet to give up a run in the playoffs. The Rockies have a better bullpen, no doubt.
11 months ago
I think the Rox-Sox series will be great, regardless of the "rest" talk. Remember, the Sox will have rested for 3 days, right? That's as long as the the All Star break, which players already complain about breaking the rythm of the season.
Both Colorado and Boston should be rested, so it really comes down to a mental thing when it comes to the "amount of rest" question. I expect a great World Series.
Just my thoughts...
-R.
from 11 months ago
After all, one can only rest so long.
11 months ago
Robert, you are correct with the "amount of rest" statement. I just believe that the Rockies were a team that rode emotional highs and lows during the season. When they were hot, no one was better, but when they were cold they were about as bad as anyone in the majors. It will be a good World Series, just comes down to the veterans that the Red Sox have. They have been here before, the Rockies haven't in their entire history of the franchise. Big question for the Sox still is will Dice-K pitch to his capabilities?
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