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0 Subject: World Series 2008 thread - Boston vs Colorado

Posted by: JeffG
- Leader [01584348] Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 13:35

Colorado is on fire winning all 8 post season games (including play-in game), and their well documented winning their last 20 of 21. Will their run continue? What about them having 9 days off? Are they just 'happy to be there'? Will Denver late October weather be a factor?

Boston is in the unfamiliar powerhouse position who swept the ALDS and just won 3 'lose or else games' against Cleveland in convincing fashion. Could they sweep again like '04? Does it mean less because they did not go through the Yankees? Will they play differently now that there is no more curse talk, and something is no longer expected to infamously go wrong? With the Pats, Celts, and BC, is Boston Title town 2007?

Series starts Wednesday. I'm hoping this series has some longevity to it, hopefully these games end before midnight.
1JeffG
      Leader
      ID: 01584348
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 13:37
For the record, I am (reluctantly) picking Red Sox in 5. Beckett is the new Mr October. Ortiz will take WS-MVP. Red Sox fans will become unbearable and morph into everything they once hated about Yankee fans.
2blue hen
      ID: 16322314
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 14:25
Will become unbearable and morph?

Will?
3Frick
      Donor
      ID: 3410101718
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 14:50
I echo blue hen, hasn't it already happened. The somehow have managed to take every negative aspect of Yankee's fans and adopt it immediately, also true for the Pats.

If the Pats, Celtics and Sox all win a championship this year, how bad could it become.


I think weather will have a big impact on the games, did you see the coaches in the football game lastnight? Shanahan was wearing a freaking winter Parka!
4KrazyKoalaBears
      ID: 15023167
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 15:02
Red Sox fans will become unbearable and morph into everything they once hated about Yankee fans.

I have a couple of friends who only casually follow baseball. They're the kinds of people who only pay real attention come playoff time. Both of them, separately, said to me that they hoped Cleveland beat Boston so that they didn't have to put up with their BoSox crazy friends anymore.

Honestly, I don't know many (any?) BoSox fans, so I haven't really experienced it, but it sounds like others know of this morphing already having taken place.

Odd.
5KrazyKoalaBears
      ID: 15023167
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 15:08
Oh, and my prediction is that the Rockies will sweep the BoSox in spectacular fashion and go down as one of the most storied finishes in all of baseball. Not only will they do so in a way that makes baseball enthusiasts say, "Wow!", but it will also create some of the highest ratings for the World Series in a decade or more.

Holliday wins MVP and Francis racks up 2 wins with a great ERA/WHIP, both in Fenway and Coors (4 days rest).

It'll be something to tell our grandkids about.

Either that, or it'll be completely boring. ;)
6Bond, James Bond
      Donor
      ID: 04352469
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 15:13
Why is this titled 2008? Looking forward to a rematch next year? ;)

For the record, I believe Boston will win it in 6.
7beastiemiked
      ID: 65112917
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 15:18
Rockies in 4.
8JeffG
      Leader
      ID: 01584348
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 15:24
Yikes. It is titled 2008 because I screwed up. I do not think i can self-edit the title. Oh well.
9GoatLocker
      Sustainer
      ID: 060151121
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 15:27
Rockies in 5.
Agree with Holliday as the MVP.

Let the fun begin.

Cliff
10Khahan
      ID: 486552412
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 15:38
I'm with Bond. Boston in 6. I think Boston may really struggle at Coors. Youkilis gets the WS MVP.
No blow outs. I see a bunch of very close games. Gonna be a tough series. Just hoping that the 8 day layoff (or so) has cooled Colorado a bit.
11Razor
      ID: 136523110
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 15:46
I'd love to see the Rockies win this one. This will be my first time cheering for an NL West team in the World Series. Pulled for the Yankees over the Padres and D-Backs. Angels-Giants goes without saying. I really don't like the Red Sox fans I know.
12Rendle
      ID: 449391213
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 15:52
Sox in 4. Colorado has been beating a ton of crappy teams. Josh Beckett and 2-4 of Boston's order is just too much for anyone right now.
13Great One
      Sustainer
      ID: 053272014
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 16:01
Well Khahan and myself are Sox fans here... I'd like to think we are nice enough not like all of those mentioned throughout this thread! :)

I am familiar with some of these annoying fans you speak of - even the Sox fan devoted sites rag on these bandwagon jumpers all the same. Its the troublemakers like LeMoose that give it a bad name I guess... The Red Sox also led the league in road attendance this season, so when you consider how many fans they have, the increased numbers also equates to a larger number of bad apples.

I think the Yankees have been dealing with a similar sect of fans since their last title - as we discussed at length with MITH, those "fans" that were leaving in the 8th inning of that elimination game aren't really fans anyway.

KKB - as far as the fans that don't pay attention til playoff time being annoyed by the Red Sox fans. I'll take that as a complement, because the family and friends I know live, breathe and die with the Sox all year round. When you go to a diner in Southern Mass - and the little old lady taking your order has her Red Sox pins up and down her uniform and can rattle off statistics and lineup decisions... thats pretty awesome to me. And she is more the rule than the exception in those parts.
14Perm Dude
      ID: 55937226
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 16:10
The Rockies won 2 of 3 against Boston this year, smoking them (something like 22-5 in the three games).

That said, the layoff will hurt the Rockies, who are happy just to be in it, IMO. I don't really like the Sox, but they have the experience and confidence to get it done. Their offense has been simply stunning.
15GoatLocker
      Sustainer
      ID: 060151121
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 16:13
Jun 12-14 Interleague play.
Colorado at Boston

12 Jun
Boston Wins 2-1 Wakefield with the win
13 Jun
Colorado Wins 12-2 beating Schilling
14 Jun
Colorado Wins 7-1 beating Beckett

We shall see this time around.

Cliff
16Seattle Zen
      ID: 49112418
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 17:21
Rockies sweep. They've got Jesus.

It will be the third straight year when the WS champ came out of no where. Has that even happened once in the NBA?
17R9
      ID: 21721142
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 17:33
Rockies in 4. Man would that be sick. :)
18C1-NRB
      ID: 5932328
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 18:07
It will be the third straight year when the WS champ came out of no where. Has that even happened once in the NBA?

It doesn't happen in the NBA because there are enough rounds to eliminate the riff-raff.

I hope for Rockies in 6; I anticipate Red Sox in 6.
19Seattle Zen
      ID: 49112418
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 18:34
hopefully these games end before midnight.

All of these games end before midnight, hell, I'm never up past 10pm.

If you can't stay awake to watch the end of the games, join the rest of us geniuses and move out to the Pacific Time Zone!
20KrazyKoalaBears
      ID: 149141616
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 20:42
That said, the layoff will hurt the Rockies, who are happy just to be in it, IMO.

I could see the "just happy to be there" argument in the Divisional Series, especially considering the timing of the playoff game then the start of the series. At that point, they know they're lucky to be there and are probably just hoping to be competitive.

Then they sweep.

I could see the "just happy to be there" argument less in the LCS. They swept into the LCS and now they know they can compete. In fact, they know they can crush. And now they're facing a divisional rival. At this point they're very likely planning on winning. There may be a little hope, but I'd say they're probably pretty confident going into the LCS.

Then they sweep.

So what about them now has the "gee, we're just so golly gosh darn happy to be here" feeling to it? Is it because of their 20-of-21? If nothing else, that should make them ridiculously confident, not just happy to be there. Is it because of crazy finish to the season? If nothing else, I would think two straight sweeps against playoff teams would cure them of that.

Personally, I think Colorado's long over being just happy to be there and are playing to win it. Teams that are just happy to be there don't sweep through the first two rounds of any playoffs.

If the BoSox take the attitude that the Rockies are just happy to be there, they could be watching the Rockies hoist the World Series trophy before they know what hit them.
21Perm Dude
      ID: 55937226
      Mon, Oct 22, 2007, 21:44
I'm not sure you can make the argument about them being over it when it hasn't started yet. And, I don't doubt that, like the 2006 Cleveland Cavs, the Rockies are playing to win. But I think they'll fold. Matt Holliday is a great player, but the Sox are crushing the ball up and down the lineup--they kicked Sabathia and Carmona's ass twice.

Playoff experience, particularly learning to overcome adversity, is very important at this stage, and the Rockies are playing above themselves, IMO.
22beastiemiked
      ID: 65112917
      Tue, Oct 23, 2007, 13:04
It doesn't happen in the NBA because there are enough rounds to eliminate the riff-raff.

Baseball has more variance. In the NBA you almost never see the worst team beat the best but you wouldn't flinch if the worst team in mlb took 2 of 3 from the best team.
23Seattle Zen
      ID: 49112418
      Tue, Oct 23, 2007, 13:10
Has that even happened once in the NBA?

Is there an emoticon that denotes "rhetorical sentence"?
24Great One
      Sustainer
      ID: 053272014
      Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 09:04
Appearances and W-L records. Most interesting stat? The Marlins have never lost a post-season series!

World Series (modern) appearances by franchise
Num Team (Last win) W L PCT Notes
39 New York Yankees (2000) 26 13 .667
18 Los Angeles Dodgers (1988) 6 12 .333 1-8 as Brooklyn Dodgers
17 St. Louis Cardinals (2006) 10 7 .588
17 San Francisco Giants (1954) 5 12 .294 5-9 as New York Giants
14 Oakland Athletics (1989) 9 5 .642 5-3 as Philadelphia Athletics
11 Boston Red Sox (2004) 6 4 .600 1-0 as Boston Americans. Currently playing the Colorado Rockies in the 2007 World Series
10 Chicago Cubs (1908) 2 8 .200
10 Detroit Tigers (1984) 4 6 .400
9 Atlanta Braves (1995) 3 6 .333 1-1 as Boston Braves; 1-1 as Milwaukee Braves
9 Cincinnati Reds (1990) 5 4 .556
7 Pittsburgh Pirates (1979) 5 2 .714
7 Baltimore Orioles (1983) 3 4 .428 0-1 as St. Louis Browns
6 Minnesota Twins (1991) 3 3 .500 1-2 as Washington Senators
5 Chicago White Sox (2005) 3 2 .600
5 Cleveland Indians (1948) 2 3 .400
5 Philadelphia Phillies (1980) 1 4 .200
4 New York Mets (1986) 2 2 .500 First expansion team to win both a pennant and a World Series title (1969).
2 Florida Marlins (2003) 2 0 1.000 Only team to have played in the post-season and have not lost a playoff series
2 Toronto Blue Jays (1993) 2 0 1.000
2 Kansas City Royals (1985) 1 1 .500
2 San Diego Padres 0 2 .000 Only team with multiple pennants and no World Series title.
1 Arizona Diamondbacks (2001) 1 0 1.000 Quickest expansion team to win both a pennant and a World Series title (4th season).
1 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2002) 1 0 1.000 1-0 as Anaheim Angels
1 Houston Astros 0 1 .000
1 Milwaukee Brewers 0 1 .000 0-1 while in the American League (1982); team currently in the National League
1 Colorado Rockies 0 0 ---- Currently playing the Boston Red Sox in the 2007 World Series
0 Seattle Mariners 0 0 ---- four ALDS appearances (1995, 1997, 2000, 2001); three ALCS appearances (1995, 2000, 2001)
0 Tampa Bay Devil Rays 0 0 ---- no playoff appearances
0 Texas Rangers 0 0 ---- three ALDS appearances (1996, 1998, 1999)
0 Washington Nationals 0 0 ---- one NLCS appearance (1981) as Montreal Expos
25Great One
      Sustainer
      ID: 053272014
      Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 09:27
in case you missed "diehard" Yankee fan Rudy Giuliani quoted in the Politic's forum..

"I'm rooting for the Red Sox," Giuliani said in response to a question.

"I'm an American League fan, and I go with the American League team, maybe with the exception of the Mets," he said.

"Maybe that would be the one time I wouldn't because I’m loyal to New York."
Guess that means he was rooting for the Sox on the day after the great Yankees' ALCS collapse in 2004.
26Great One
      Sustainer
      ID: 053272014
      Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 09:29
NY Post Link for Rudy
27blue hen
      ID: 16322314
      Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 09:51
Nice chart. Makes me a little embarassed to be a Phillies fan - right there with the Indians and White Sox.
28Mattinglyinthehall
      ID: 454491514
      Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 11:03
www.cantstopthebleeding.com:
Suddenly, Dane Cook Is No Longer The Lamest Fan In Red Sox Nation
29angryChair
      ID: 100501014
      Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 11:30
Posts: 1,2, 3:

How are they like Yankee fans or players?
30JeffG
      Leader
      ID: 01584348
      Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 11:32
Finally the "2007" series starts tonight!

Always interesting during the World Series is how the NL team deals with adding a DH, when the normal makup of National League teams is not to have an extra big bopper sitting on the roster who can just pop in. They usually go with putting a regular starter in the DH role if there are better defensive options, or just put their best bench hitter in that slot based on that day's matchup.

I found a stat from 1986 to 2004 when the current 'DH in AL park only' in the WS policy started, over that span during the World Series, AL teams have a .660 winning percentage at home, NL have .540. (over the same period as a benchmark, the winning percentage of the home team in the LDS is .534, and LCS is .511).

I was hearing alot of things Boston was going to consider when they go to Denver and cannot have a DH in their lineup. I'm sure they want to figure out a way to keep Ortiz in the lineup, and see that he did play 1B when they went to NL cities during the season. Seems to me though that Youkilis has been real hot and they'd want to keep both in the lineup if possible. I hear that if they want to keep both in the lineup that Yook may play 3B, or possibly RF with Drew going to CF. With the vast OF of Coors field, could be interesting defensively if they go the OF route.
31Great One
      Sustainer
      ID: 053272014
      Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 12:19
How about Youk to RF and Drew riding the pine? That what I would do to keep Ellsbury's bat and speed in the lineup.

Youkilis came up as a 3B and the last two years they have been able to give Lowell a day off and started him at 3B. But now Lowell is leading the team in RBI's (and lets not forget the all time leading fielding % at 3B!) so its tough to take him out of the lineup.

Ortiz does just fine at 1B, he did ok there in interleague, the spotlight against St.Louis, he does fine in the All-Star games (even ironically picking A-Rod's errant throws out of the dirt! lol...).

He's no Youkilis at 1B (who should win a Gold Glove with his AL record 179th consecutive errorless game at first base), but he'll be fine.
Side note - he and Crisp deserve Gold Gloves this season.
32Da Bomb
      Donor
      ID: 487112814
      Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 15:37
Re 30: That makes sense that the DH would be an advantage for the AL teams when at home. Do you happen to have the stats though for when the NL teams are at home? I would imagine they would then have the advantage when the AL teams lose their DH.
33JeffG
      Leader
      ID: 01584348
      Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 16:31
Da Bomb [32] - The NL's winning percentage at home during the World series in that span is .540.

source
34Perm Dude
      ID: 17946246
      Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 16:38
I would imagine they would then have the advantage when the AL teams lose their DH.

How much of their advantage is attributable to one team losing their DH is probably tough to measure. And, as is pointed out in the article JeffG links to, sometimes teams like the Yankees are genuinely better and will "throw off" the stats.
35JeffG
      Leader
      ID: 01584348
      Wed, Oct 24, 2007, 17:10
Worldseries.com: Rain a likely factor for Game 1 - Steady rainfall expected tonight at Fenway Park

...the best-case scenario seems to be drizzle during the game and steady-to-heavy rain holding off until 11 or 12. It could be one of those nights when you root for the game to become official in the fifth.

Imagine, one rain delay would push this game into the wee hours for us east coasters. Then again, it does not look like there is a weather break if they go to a rain delay. I'm sure no one wants to see a rain shortened WS game.

How about not starting these games at 8:27 PM ET?
36Perm Dude
      ID: 17946246
      Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 00:21
Well, in the Rockies defense, they did try to win.
37KrazyKoalaBears
      ID: 15023167
      Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 08:41
Dear Lord that was ugly. Here's hoping the Rockies remember they can pitch and not just throw sweet pitches to the BoSox and that their hitters remember they know how to hit and not just buckle under the almighty presence of Beckett.
38Rendle
      ID: 449391213
      Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 09:40
I'd like to change my prediction to Boston in 3.
39Seattle Zen
      ID: 529121611
      Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 09:43
Um, the magic seems to have worn off.
40Toral
      ID: 575542418
      Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 23:52
Top of 8th: SZ's "MVP" finally makes an impact play.

Definitely one that will be remembered.
41Perm Dude
      ID: 40946256
      Fri, Oct 26, 2007, 00:09
Red Sox Attempt to Break Fabled 'Curse Of Relief Pitcher Curtis Leskanic'
42Khahan
      ID: 486552412
      Sat, Oct 27, 2007, 20:36
I can't believe they are benching Youkilis. Why not start Ortiz at 1st and start Youkilis in the OF instead of JD Drew. Youk has played OF before (not sure which one). His bat has been too hot and I don't think he's much better/worse defensively than Drew.
43GoatLocker
      Sustainer
      ID: 060151121
      Sat, Oct 27, 2007, 20:52
Drew hitting .571

I don't think you bench him either.
Real problem.

Cliff
44¤ Mario LeMoose ¤
      ID: 599532819
      Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 00:09
45GoatLocker
      Sustainer
      ID: 060151121
      Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 00:24
Well, congrats to the Sox.
Really, really amazing.

Great team.

Cliff
46Mattinglyinthehall
      Leader
      ID: 01629107
      Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 08:02
Congrats Red Sox and Boston fans. The best team in MLB won the World Series this year, something that doesn't happen as frequently as perhaps it should.
47KrazyKoalaBears
      ID: 15023167
      Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 08:51
Like I said, BoSox in 4. ;)

Congrats Sockies!
(There was an image of a little girl holding a sign before the game and she was rhyming Sockies with Rockies. Good stuff.)
48Great One
      Sustainer
      ID: 053272014
      Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 09:39
I always like the Dropkick Murphy's "Dirty Water" better myself... but then again, I am a punk rocker at heart.

I am freakin' exhausted, all these late night games have worn me out.
But there isn't a feeling much better than being champion.
And I think I am ready to replace my Mike Greenwell poster with a Jacoby Ellsbury :)

And A-Rod? that just made it the perfect night, didn't it? Thats the only time I have ever remotely enjoyed anything Ken Rosenthal (or McCarver) had to say lol... but I still won't believe he is gone til I see him i.e. shaking someone else's hand in some other city and holding up some other jersey.
49Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 12:44
Congratulations Red Sox. The best team won.
50Electroman
      ID: 73332719
      Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 18:12
Red Sox World Series win = free furniture
51Khahan
      ID: 486552412
      Mon, Oct 29, 2007, 22:14
Thank you MITH. Boston was definitely one of the toughest teams all season long. From the fan perspective, this win was great for Boston.
52holt
      ID: 129202215
      Tue, Oct 30, 2007, 06:41
No team should have to sit that long between the championship series and world series. I don't mean to belittle the Red Sox accomplishment. I didn't like it last year when people used that excuse for the Tigers. But really, something needs to be done. Tighten these schedules up.
53Khahan
      ID: 486552412
      Tue, Oct 30, 2007, 08:17
Holt, I agree 100%. The rockies got the short end of the deal because they played great. I also think its ridiculous that there is even the potential for the WS to spill over into November.

The problem is the fact that the players union gripes too much about double headers. Less double headers means the longer season. Having every team play 3 double headers spread througout the season could have pushed the season end date to a Friday instead of a Sunday.

Couple in the fact that the post season series are now tailored to TV scheduling and that only adds to the problem of a prolonged post season. Fix those 2 problems and the WS could be playing game 7 by October 25 instead of just really getting going.
54¤ Mario LeMoose ¤
      ID: 22901211
      Tue, Oct 30, 2007, 11:34
The Rolling Rally (parade) is being streamed live on mlb.com.

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