Five Reasons for Boston...
1. Josh Beckett - He's the best pitcher on either team. He might be the best pitcher in MLB (OK, not really. But he has all the tools to get there, and soon. Like next year soon). He has one of the greatest post-season resumes of all time. This guy gets up for the big ones faster than a fat kid when the pizza guy knocks on the door. And you can't rattle him. He looked legitimately pissed that Cleveland brought in his ex-mattress to sing the National Anthem. And what did he do? He kept pumping high hard ones in there until Cleveland was worn out and couldn't take any more. Maybe her being there brought back some memories.
2. Jonathan Papelbon - Did you see his face after Coco caught the last out in the ALCS? This guy would probably throw knives at batters if it was legal. 98 MPH knives. Instead he throws strikes that people can't hit. Just as effective I guess. This guy will ruin your hopes of a comeback as soon as he locks his eyes on Tek's glove. Papelbon now is like Mariano in the late '90's. He just needs an entrance song that makes people know who's coming and that they should pack their toothbrush because they're going home.
3. Working the count - The Red Sox work the count and take pitches better than anyone, and that especially seems to be the case during the post-season. The Phillies have a lot of guys who like to swing the bat rather than take a walk, and the D-Backs are a bunch of kids who don't know any better. Colorado's pitching has been good, from starters to relievers. But what happens when the Rockies need to use five or six pitchers a game instead of two or three? Even if guys like Francis are pitching well, if he goes 4 2/3, one earned, hundred and ten pitches, who are they bringing in? This Boston lineup is going to expose the weaknesses in the Rockies pitching staff, and they have the right guys to take advantage...
4. Kevin Youkilis, David "Big O" Ortiz, Manchester Ramirez, and Mike Lowell - They're all batting .333 or better in the playoffs. OBP near or well above .500 (except for Lowell, who has no protection in the lineup). OPS's (On base + Slugging %) of 1.314, 1.318, 1.411, and .900 respectively. 40 combined RBI's. 12 home runs and 35 walks compared to 23 strike outs.
5. Four games in Boston - Colorado doesn't have a DH. Boston has one of the best DH's of all time. Boston will be loud and crazy. Oh yeah, and playing in Colorado doesn't exactly seem like the best environment for the Sox. Ortiz has to play first, thin air, cold, and maybe even snow (it snowed today). If they had to play four in Colorado, this may be a different series.
Three reasons why Colorado might win
1. 21-1 over the last 22 - They're hot. Can it continue after a week of making snow angels?
2. Rocky Mountain refreshment - This is similar to number five above. The Rockies have a big home field advantage. If they can take one in Boston, that might be it.
3. Starting pitchers - They have an ERA barely over 2.00. They might be able to keep the Boston bats quiet.
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