The LCS ends, the World Series begins...
Well, I didn't get the number of games right, but I got the teams right, which is a huge 180 from my initial LDS predictions.
I predicted Boston over Cleveland in 5 games, it took the Red Sox 7.
I predicted Colorado over Arizona in 6 games, and they swept them in 4.
So this brings us to one of the most unlikeliest World Series matchups in a while.
The team with the best record during the regular season (yes, I know the Indians had the same record, but the head-to-head during regular season gave Boston the home field advantage, and plus, they won the ALCS) against the wild card team from the National League who not only barely squeaked into a tie for the wild card, but then had to win an extra-inning thriller to win the wild card.
That being said, even though Colorado almost missed the playoffs, they've been unstoppable, having won 21 of 22 games.
There's a lot of talk about how Colorado has had all this time off (8 days) between the end of the NLCS and the start of the World Series, and that the "sitting around and waiting" is going to be their demise.
To me, that's irrelevant. They certainly run enough scrimmages and practices during that period to keep the guys fresh and active. Ultimately, who is the better team?
On paper, it's the Red Sox, easily. But the Phillies were also better on paper, as were the Diamondbacks. But that didn't stop the Rockies from not only winning each series, but sweeping them in impressive if not improbable fashion.
So what's going to happen in ths 2007 World Series? The Boston Red Sox are a superior team, but the Rockies are the first undefeated postseason team since in 21 years (since the 1976 Reds). That's gotta count for something, no?
Game 1 pits Josh Beckett (ALCS MVP and seemingly postseason pitching GOD) vs Jeff Francis, at Fenway Park, Wednesday night.
Here's my prediction. The team that wins Game 1 of the World Series, will win it in 5 games. Whether that's Colorado, or Boston, I don't know. But it all rides on the opening game of the series.