world series is official

[Sportschizo]

my long-time beloved red sox are now set to face the rockies in the world series of 2007. Who's your pick to win it all? My pick is obviously the Red Sox.

[Old Sweater]

I don't ever pick to often. Hope like hell that the Rockies take it.

[Rockin Robin]

I'm pulling for the Sox. But the Rox have had such a fantasy year that it's quit possible they'll win it all.

I just hope for a good Series. Good baseball, like what we saw between Boston and Cleveland. That was some great baseball to watch. :)

[Fireball]

The Sox in 5...cause that's just how my life works.:hmm:

[Old Sweater]

Fenway Park | 8:00 PM ET


Jeff Francis, LHP (0-0, -.--)
Rockies @ Josh Beckett, RHP (0-0, -.--)
Red Sox



Scouting Report:
Rockies: Francis is one win away from a combined 20 for the regular season and postseason. But he's never pitched in anything as important as Game 1 of the World Series. Francis has been masterful in two postseason starts. In each case, he set the tone for sweeps by shutting down two powerful lineups, the Phillies and the Diamondbacks, both on the road. He'll have to do the same to open the Fall Classic. Not a huge strikeout guy during the regular season, he has 12 in 12 2/3 postseason innings. It's one reason he has overcome 11 hits and three walks. He was especially impressive against the Diamondbacks. After giving up a first-inning run, Francis retired 12 of the next 14 batters he faced.
Red Sox: Beckett has been nothing short of dominant in this postseason, winning all three of his starts in convincing fashion. Most recently, the right-hander staved off elimination in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, holding the Indians to five hits and a run while striking out 11. He also won Game 1, giving up four hits and two runs over six innings. But Beckett's best performance this postseason was his four-hit shutout against the Angels in Game 1 of the AL Division Series. Lifetime in the postseason, Beckett is 5-2 with a 1.78 ERA. Beckett last faced the Rockies on June 14 in Interleague Play, giving up 10 hits and six runs over five innings in a loss.



Fenway Park | 8:00 PM ET


Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP (0-0, -.--)
Rockies @ Curt Schilling, RHP (0-0, -.--)
Red Sox



Scouting Report:
Rockies: One of the unknowns about the playoffs was whether Jimenez, 23, who wasn't called up from the Minors until August, would be able to handle playoff pressure. However, he pitched well in late regular-season games during the Rockies' run to the playoffs, so that should have been an indication. Jimenez has no decisions in two postseason starts, but both have been outstanding. He is carrying a 1.59 ERA in 11 1/3 innings. Jimenez's fastball has been clocked at or near 100 mph, depending on the radar gun, and his breaking pitches and changeup have confounded hitters that have been caught looking for the heater. However, there is one issue: walks. He has eight of them against 11 strikeouts.
Red Sox: There aren’'t many pitchers a team wants on the mound more this time of year than Schilling, who has been marvelous in his career during the month of October. In 18 career postseason starts, Schilling is 10-2 with a 2.25 ERA. Most recently, Schilling earned the win in a must-win Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, holding the Indians to six hits and two runs over seven innings. Schilling struggled in a no-decision in Game 2, giving up nine hits and five hits over 4 2/3 innings. But he was magnificent in Game 3 of the Division Series, firing seven shutout innings in the clincher against the Angels.



Coors Field | 8:00 PM ET


Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP (0-0, -.--)
Red Sox @ Josh Fogg, RHP (0-0, -.--)
Rockies



Scouting Report:
Red Sox: The right-hander from Japan quieted some of the panic over his recent struggles by earning the win in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, allowing six hits and two runs over five innings. Matsuzaka took the loss in Game 3, in which he yielded six hits and four runs over 4 2/3 innings while walking two and striking out six. His postseason debut occurred in Game 2 of the Division Series against the Angels, when he gave up seven hits and three runs over 4 2/3 innings. Matsuzaka has never pitched at Coors Field.
Rockies: Fogg has been at his best this postseason. He came out of the bullpen in the National League Division Series and threw two shutout innings. In Game 3 at Coors Field against the Diamondbacks, he went six innings, giving up one run on seven hits. Fogg has been at his best in big games this season. He won the second game in Boston, holding the Red Sox to two runs on seven hits in five innings. Fogg pitched well for the Rockies down the stretch, helping them into the playoffs. He went 3-0 in five starts in September with a 3.25 ERA. Fogg has been nicknamed by teammate Matt Holliday the "Dragon Slayer" for his prowess in big games against big-name pitchers. Fogg beat Curt Schilling in Boston and pitched the Rockies tiebreaker victory against Padres ace Jake Peavy.




Coors Field | 8:00 PM ET


To be announced
Red Sox @ Aaron Cook, RHP (0-0, -.--)
Rockies



Scouting Report:

Rockies: After more than two months without making a start because of a strained oblique, Cook will make his first start since Aug. 10 in Game 4 of the World Series. The Rockies choose to go with Cook instead of rookie Franklin Morales, who will pitch out of the bullpen. Cook, who was the Rockies' Opening Day starter, had success earlier this season in Boston. The Rockies lost their lone game in Boston when Cook started, but he held the Red Sox to two runs on seven hits in 7 1/3 innings. Cook was at his best this in July, when he went 4-1 with a 2.68 ERA in six starts. His 4.12 ERA was the best among the Rockies starters this season. Cook's ability to get ground-ball outs thanks to his sinker ball is a perfect fit for the Rockies defense, which had the best fielding percentage in Major League history.


C'mon Red Sox, spit out that game 4 starter!

Go Rockies!!!

[Old Sweater]

I'll be happy if the Rockies pitchers can record their 1st clean inning in the 8th.

[Sportschizo]

yay!