St. Louis Cardinals vs. Boston Red Sox
This is a rematch of 2004. Ten years ago the Red Sox swept the series as they won their first World series title in 86 tears. But these two teams are completely different from 10 years ago. The Red Sox have gone from high to low and back to high again. The Cardinals have won two world series since that time. The Red Sox had a lot of confidence after taking Detroit's fleet of excellent pitchers to the limit.
The Red Sox had struck out 32 times in the first two games of the series. They were shut out the first four innings of each ALCS game, except for game six, and still ended up winning the series. So we know the Red Sox can wear down the St Louis pitchers. They are the best team in the majors at working the count and seeing as many pitchers as possible. But will their game plan be enough? St. Louis is another of the great pitching staffs in the majors. They know they have to throw strikes and not fall behind. The Red Sox will need their big bats to step up. Pedroia and Ellsbury specifically. I am interested to see how well their strategy will work in back to back series against such pitching. The Red Sox themselves are also a pretty good pitching team, not as dominant as some but still efficient. They have maybe the best bullpen in the majors, and like the Giants a season ago, we know how important that is. The bottom line is that these truly are the two best teams in the league, both by record and, in my opinion, by talent. The Red Sox are a true definition of the word "team" They are very close knit and they play together as one. The Cardinals are just as close knit. This will be an exciting World Series and it could easily go seven games. Even though the Cardinals might be considered the favorite, I think the Red Sox will win in 6.
WYHY?
Since the Sox broke their "curse" against he Yankees in 2004, they are 8-0 in World Series games. David Ortiz is one of the greatest clutch hitters in the game; the Sox are well coached, and even though the Cardinals have momentum of their own I believe the Sox have more momentum along with home field advantage. They will be fired up in front of the Fenway faithful and to me, it will be hard for the Cardinals overcome that.
WHY THE CARDINALS COULD WIN ?
They are also a close knit team led by another great clutch hitter and maybe the best October hitter in the history of baseball. Carlos Beltran They have a momentum of their own and they are a hungry group. This could be Beltran's last season with the Cardinals and they would like nothing more than to win it all for him.
PLAYERS TO WATCH;
The biggest are obviously David Ortiz for the Red Sox and Carlos Telbran for the Cards. These are the most dependable hitters in each lineup but. as I said Petroia and Ellsbury have to step up for the Red Sox to take some of the load off of Big Poppy. For St. Louis it's Holiday. He is #2 on the team in homeruns and his bat will be needed. If John Jay can get going and David Freese can recreate some of the magic he had in 2011 it will give St. Louis a much needed edge.
ROOKIES ON ENTER STAGE:
St.Louis' Matt Adams and Boston's Xander and Boagaerts are two rookies that I think could have an impact in this series. Boagaerts was put in game 5 of the ALCS and got a big hit in the early parts of the game. He stayed in the lineup for game 6 and he showed tremendous poise and patience in his at bat. Adams is one of St. Louis's future stars. Look for him to make a name for himself in the national spotlight when given the opportunity.
Check back Thursday for weekend football updates.
This is J.R. London for the Weekly Sports Rundown
This is a rematch of 2004. Ten years ago the Red Sox swept the series as they won their first World series title in 86 tears. But these two teams are completely different from 10 years ago. The Red Sox have gone from high to low and back to high again. The Cardinals have won two world series since that time. The Red Sox had a lot of confidence after taking Detroit's fleet of excellent pitchers to the limit.
The Red Sox had struck out 32 times in the first two games of the series. They were shut out the first four innings of each ALCS game, except for game six, and still ended up winning the series. So we know the Red Sox can wear down the St Louis pitchers. They are the best team in the majors at working the count and seeing as many pitchers as possible. But will their game plan be enough? St. Louis is another of the great pitching staffs in the majors. They know they have to throw strikes and not fall behind. The Red Sox will need their big bats to step up. Pedroia and Ellsbury specifically. I am interested to see how well their strategy will work in back to back series against such pitching. The Red Sox themselves are also a pretty good pitching team, not as dominant as some but still efficient. They have maybe the best bullpen in the majors, and like the Giants a season ago, we know how important that is. The bottom line is that these truly are the two best teams in the league, both by record and, in my opinion, by talent. The Red Sox are a true definition of the word "team" They are very close knit and they play together as one. The Cardinals are just as close knit. This will be an exciting World Series and it could easily go seven games. Even though the Cardinals might be considered the favorite, I think the Red Sox will win in 6.
WYHY?
Since the Sox broke their "curse" against he Yankees in 2004, they are 8-0 in World Series games. David Ortiz is one of the greatest clutch hitters in the game; the Sox are well coached, and even though the Cardinals have momentum of their own I believe the Sox have more momentum along with home field advantage. They will be fired up in front of the Fenway faithful and to me, it will be hard for the Cardinals overcome that.
WHY THE CARDINALS COULD WIN ?
They are also a close knit team led by another great clutch hitter and maybe the best October hitter in the history of baseball. Carlos Beltran They have a momentum of their own and they are a hungry group. This could be Beltran's last season with the Cardinals and they would like nothing more than to win it all for him.
PLAYERS TO WATCH;
The biggest are obviously David Ortiz for the Red Sox and Carlos Telbran for the Cards. These are the most dependable hitters in each lineup but. as I said Petroia and Ellsbury have to step up for the Red Sox to take some of the load off of Big Poppy. For St. Louis it's Holiday. He is #2 on the team in homeruns and his bat will be needed. If John Jay can get going and David Freese can recreate some of the magic he had in 2011 it will give St. Louis a much needed edge.
ROOKIES ON ENTER STAGE:
St.Louis' Matt Adams and Boston's Xander and Boagaerts are two rookies that I think could have an impact in this series. Boagaerts was put in game 5 of the ALCS and got a big hit in the early parts of the game. He stayed in the lineup for game 6 and he showed tremendous poise and patience in his at bat. Adams is one of St. Louis's future stars. Look for him to make a name for himself in the national spotlight when given the opportunity.
Check back Thursday for weekend football updates.
This is J.R. London for the Weekly Sports Rundown
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