The Boston Red Sox, 2007 World Champions

With a sigh of relief, the Red Sox finished their sweep of the World Series last night, ensuring that the World Series trophy won’t be clutched in the hands of a 15-year old expansion team in the Rocky Mountains.  Though it’s great to bring the Fall Classic to first-time cities like Denver, I’ll be damned if I’m ever rooting for a team or city to win it before the Mariners get a chance.

While I’m releived the Red Sox won it, I’m going to admit that I’m disappointed that the Series didn’t got at least five- or even more- games.  I mean, we would’ve had a chance to see Beckett pitch again, but any World Series game past Game Four instantly has drama ratcheted up.  And the drama was ion scarce supply this World Series, as the Red Sox prevented the Rockies from bringing any game to this Series.  The Rockies had no game, none.  Sure, they made it interesting when they brought the game within one run last night, but that was in the eighth inning of Game Four on the verge of a sweep.  A classic example of too little, too late.

And can somebody explian to me why Mike Lowell won the Series MVP award?  He had a fine Series, but shouldn’t the rightful winner be Jacoby Ellsbury.  I mean, shouldn’t you give it to the one guy whose name is on everybody’s lips and get respeated endlessly?  That was definitely Jacoby!  Oh well, I think they gave it to Lowell as they didn’t want an odd situation of having a player win a Series MVP award, and then winning the Rookie of the Year award the following season.  Though that would’ve been a great story if it had occurred.  At any rate, Jacoby could’ve split it with Paps, who with his two saves and three appearances probably did more to help the team win than Lowell…

Anyways, congratulations Red Sox.  But I’m going have to point out that after this Series win it’s going to be a lot harder to root for you guys.  You are no longer the underdog, and I hope you get comfortable with your new status as the hated bullies.  A title you swiped right under the Yankees’ noses…

2007 World Series, Game Three: Boston at Colorado

All of Japan, I’m sure, will stop and take notice as their native son, Daisuke Matsuzaka takes the mound in tonight’s game as the first Japanese pitcher to start a World Series game. The problem is, his Game Seven start in the ALCS notwithstanding, Daisuke’s been flat for the majority of the playoffs. (And even that Game Seven start wasn’t that great.) His rival on the opposing team tonight- Josh Fogg- has put up better numbers this post-season. Of course, to say that Fogg projects an imposing figure on the pithcing mound is an exercise in hilarity.

Should be an interesting game, which is also the first World Series game in the Mountain Time Zone…..

The Curse of Curtis Leskanic

The Onion on this legendary curse.

2007 World Series Game Two, Colorado at Rockies

After the 13-1 thrashing at the hands of the heathen Red Sox last night, I wonder if extra prayer circles were called to ask for heavenly assistance for the Rockies in tonight’s game. They’re going to need it with Curt Schilling who, even at the ripe age of 40, is still one of the best post-season pitchers in the history of baseball.

Same line-ups as last night, except Jacoby Ellsbury is batting eighth rather than ninth, swapping places with Julio Lugo.

And Curt hits Willy Taveras for an auspicious beginning to the ballgame…

Why I’m rooting for the Red Sox- and why I think they’ll lose

Okay, as evidenced by the list of links relating to the Seattle Mariners over to your right, this blog has been started by some Mariners fans with all intents and purposes to follow the 2008 season. In the meantime, we also like to blog baseball in general, and in October that means baseball playoffs in particular.

Being said, as the 2007 World Series begins in about an hour, I have to say that I am firmly rooting for the Red Sox, and hoping that they pull this series out over the Rockies. Not necessarily because I want to see the Sox add their second championship in four years, but simply because I don’t want an expansion team that’s been around half as long as my beloved Mariners to win a championship.

I mean, really that’s the only positive thing I can muster to rationalize supporting the Sox. Now that Boston has morphed into the new version of the Evil Empire supporting them is like rooting for the Harlem Globetrotters to prevail over the Washington Generals. They have money to spend, perhaps the best 1-2 offensive duo in the game, a charismatic ace and one of the best post-season pitchers ever heading the pitching staff, the legendary aura, the mystique, the Monster… yadda yadda yadda. Snore.

This series reminds me of the 2003 World Series match-up: the Yankees versus the Marlins. Yeah, hard to pick a winner there. At least the Yankees didn’t win, while Florida added the second god-damned championship.

Anyways, while I’m rooting for the Red Sox- kinda- I have a sneaking suspicion that historical trends are not favoring them. First, since the Diamondbacks’ triumph over the Yankees in 2001, every year has seen a different team win the championship. The Red Sox are the first team in the decade to possibly win more than one World Series. Secondly, while that may stands to work in the Red Sox’ favor, the Rockies are in the Series via the Wild Card, and Wild Card winners have won three World Series this decade from 2002-2004, one of them including the Boston team of “idiots” that shook off the 86-year old curse in 2004. And the third and fianl strike of historical trends against the Sox is the fact that they’re coming into the World Series with the best record in baseball- and the team with the best record hasn’t won it all since the Yankees did in 1998.

So, in the end, the Red Sox have a lot of history to overcome to best the Rockies. And, oh yeah, this Colorado team has won 21 of their last 22. Pushovers they aint. Plus that three games at Denver is going to immensely hurt the Red Sox offensively.

Final call? Though it pains me to say it and I hope to God that the outcome is otherwise, I think the Rockies are going to have this thing in five games.

2007 World Series Game One: Colorado at Boston

According to the weather report at the Weather Channel, it’s supposed to be rainy tonight in Boston.  But despite a 60% chance of rain, supposedly it won’t prevent the game getting in as it will be light drizzle off and on throughout the game.

So let’s bring it on.

Beckett versus Francis, who unbelievably has morphed into an ace and led his team to the Fall Classic.

Beckett has won four of five career decisions against the Rockies with a 3.89 ERA in 37 innings.  He’s allowed a home-run apiece to three of Colorado’s big bats- Matt Holliday, Todd Helton, and Garrett Atkins, who have combined to hit .444 with seven extra base hits in 36 at-bats.  Beckett better be at the top of his post-season form, otherwise the Rockies’ offense has a chance to put up runs in a hurry.

As for Francis, the only thing he’s done in his lone appearance against Boston is toss five scoreless innings.

Considering the Rockies hit the Red Sox around pretty good at Fenway during the summer- including handing Beckett his first loss of the season- why do I have a sinking feeling that this Game One will be Colorado’s to lose?

Beckett inspires fan-love in Boston

Funny video on YouTube.