But I digress-- here's my series breakdown for all you sports fans, which is probably nobody who actually reads this blog.
My pick: ROCKIES IN 5
Why?: The Rockies hit fastball/slider pitchers extremely well, which doesn't bode well for Beckett or Dice-K. Schilling may give them some trouble but it's Wakefield who would shut down the line up. All year, the Rockies have had trouble hitting off speed pitchers (which is why Jamie Moyer was a scary proposition against the Phils) but that solid hitting, along with great young pitching will get the job done!
The Break Down
First Base: Helton v Youkilis
Advantage: Rockies
Yook is certainly hotter than Helton this post season, but Helton is a patient and reliable veteran. Even though he doesn't boast a huge post season batting average, he's scored a lot of runs as a result of walks. Defensively, Helton is simply the best in the business and even though Youkilis is VERY good as well, Helton gets the nod.
Second Base: Matsui v Pedroia
Advantage: Red Sox
Defensively, again the nod goes to the Rockies but Pedroia is a better hitter with more power potential and slightly better speed. Add to that, Matsui has been slumping since his Grand Slam in the NLDS so it might not be uncalled for to platoon him with Jamey Carroll this WS.
Shortstop: Tulowitski v Lugo
Advantage: HUGE Rockies
Lugo is the weakest link of this Red Sox team (and alternate Alex Cora isn't much better). Tulo is stronger defensively and offensively and is playing with confidence. Lugo looked like he was going to cry every post season at-bat (though if you were batting .178, you'd be about to cry too).
Third Base: Atkins v Lowell
Advantage: Rockies
Garrett Atkins is simply one of the best players in baseball, bar none. His .329 batting average last year almost won the batting title and he led the majors in runs produced. He had another solid year this year, quietly putting up big numbers and getting many clutch hits. Lowell is almost as good, though Atkins is a better fielder and younger.
Left Field: Holliday v Ramirez
Advantage: Rockies
As good as Manny is, Holliday is having an MVP year. He's also more likely to be engaged in the game than Manny, especially with the thin air here in Colorado!
Center Field: Tavares v Crisp/Ellsbury
Advantage: Rockies
Tavares is a classic lead off hitter: .300 average, great speed, good instincts. He also covers a lot of ground in the field and has a good arm. Crisp is a liability at the plate and Ellsbury has yet to prove himself (though is probably a better choice in the Sox lineup).
Right Field: Hawpe v Drew
Advantage: Rockies
Brad Hawpe is yet another unheralded player is clutch hits for great power. Drew is a good player but on the schnide with Sox fans for his failure to come through in the clutch, including numerous non-swinging strike outs in the reguilar season.
Catcher: Torrealba v Varitek
Advantage: Red Sox
Varitek has experience and grit, not to mention a much stronger arm than Torrealba. Both hit for low average and average power, but that's par for the course for catchers not named "Mauer".
Starting Pitching
Advantage: Draw
Both teams have weaknesses in their batting line ups that pitchers can exploit. The Sox seem to flounder against inside, left handed sliders and the Rox have difficulty with off-speed stuff. Jiminez and Francis will give the Sox fits, and Schilling and Wakefield will frustrate the Rockies. Morales and Fogg are wildcards, but fearless. The Rocks will absolutely hammer Matsuzaka.
Middle Relief
Advantage: Red Sox
Fuentes is the weak link in the Rockies relief rotation, even though he is an 8th inning stalwart. Affeldt and Herges are much better choices for Colorado. Boston has experience in Timlin that may be key.
Closers
Advantage: Red Sox
Papelbon and Corpas are on par--when Corpas throws strikes. "Our Manny" has some real trouble throwing strikes, especially first pitch strikes while Papelbon goes right after hitters. Cringe as Corpas gets behind hitters in the 9th--and hope the defense can bail him out.
Bench Players
Advantage: Rockies
The Rockies bench is deep, with many players splitting playing time throughout the year. Carroll and Spilbourghs are solid while backup catcher Chris Ianetta has flashes of brilliance. The Sox are close behind with Bobby Kielty, Hinske and Ellsbury, but Cora stinks.
It's going to be a close series, but I expect the Rockies to squeak out wins thanks to their potent 2-6 hitters, especially Atkins and Hawpe. In the end, the Rocks big bats and young pitching is going to the win the day!
Thoughts, baseball fans?
