World Series Preview

The World Series starts tonight, and even if your team isn't a part of it, the fall classic is always something a baseball fan will tune in to. My March predictions for this year's fall classic were quite a bit off, thanks to injuries to the Tigers pitching staff and underachieving by the Mets. Here is a breakdown of a 2007 World Series that nobody in the World could have predicted.

Colorado Rockies vs. Boston Red Sox

Offense: On paper, the Rockies don't appear to measure up with the Red Sox offensively, but they have shown that they're streaky and certainly peaking right now. Recent history has shown that the team that's hot in October wins it all, and this year the Rockies are that team. Say what you want about Manny Ramirez or David Ortiz, Matt Holliday is the best player in this series. The Rockies have to get Todd Helton and Garret Atkins going. Willie Taveras also has to do a better job at the top of the order if they want to keep their streak alive. The Red Sox have the experience, and their lineup is deeper than the Rockies. Manny Ramirez and JD Drew had subpar regular seasons but have stepped it up in October. I have to give the lineup edge to the Red Sox, especially when the games are being played in Boston. EDGE: Red Sox

Starting Pitching: Again, on paper, the Red Sox have the clear advantage here. It's tough to match up with Curt Shilling, Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka. However, Schilling and Matsuzaka have both struggled a bit this postseason and could be tiring. The Rockies' Ubaldo Jimenez and Jeff Francis have been the reason why the Rockies are in the position they are and even though they aren't as known as Beckett and Schilling yet, it wouldn't surprise me to see either of these keep the Red Sox bat's quiet. I still have to give the edge to the Red Sox.
Edge: Red Sox

Bullpen: Surprisingly, the Rockies bullpen is better than Boston's. Manny Corpas isn't quite Jonathon Papelbon, but he's pretty close, and the guys setting him up are all throwing the ball very well right now. The Red Sox relievers haven't been as stingy, but have still been pretty good this October with exception of Eric Gagne. This series could come down to a battle of the bullpens as we are likely going to be seeing some offense. Edge: Rockies
Defense: The Rockies have a clear advantage here and it will show when Boston has Manny Ramirez covering ground in Coors Fields' huge outfield. The Rockies defense, like the rest of the areas on the team, has been rock solid over and they aren't going to make many mistakes. Boston will make mistakes on defense, but usually has the offense and the pitching to make up for them. Edge Rockies

Overall: The Rockies have been the hottest team in baseball for the last month and that's why they're here. They haven't lost a game yet this October. On the other hand, they have been inactive for about 10 days and Boston has been playing consistently throughout the month. All in all, until someone beats the Rockies, I can't pick against them and I think they will win this series. As I said at the top of the post, a team that peaks late in the season like the Rockies did, normally succeed in the playoffs. This Rockies team reminds me a lot of the 2003 Marlins team that beat the Yankees and I think they will do the same to the Red Sox.

Series Prediction: Rockies in 6