Seriously I have been reading all the questions since the playoffs started and have seen everyone swearing by their favorite team; from the Yankees to the Phillies and Diamondbacks jeez even the Orioles who didn't even make it. But all these teams got smashed. And of course the relevant statistics said they would.
I respect loyalty and all but does anyone who is a student of the numbers and the game of baseball really think that the Red Sox can take a game from Colorado? Honeltly, I'd like some serious objecivism. If you are just going to say, "ohhhh sox in 4 cuz dey reelie roole, and bi the way I live in Boston", please refrain from resonding.
We all know Colorado's numbers and capabilities. If you really think the Sox, who are a great team by the way, will win, then why and how?
2007-10-21 22:22:00 · 14 answers · asked by weaselnutzninja 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Yes, here is a view of unbiased bookmakers and professional handicappers ...
The Rockies have been more amazing than, well, the '69 Mets.
Soothsayers predict they'll finally crumble in the 2007 World Series, though.
Boston advanced to late-season playdates with National League pennant winner Colorado by virtue of a comeback from 3-1down versus AL Central Division champ Cleveland.
Colorado swept both Philadelphia and Arizona en route to its incredible postseason drive and franchise's first-ever Fall Classic.
Boston, which won the 2004 World Series, opened as a big favorite to win both Game 1 and the best-of-seven meeting.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants Sunday night sent Boston out as a minus $2.00 favorite to win the series and the number quickly shot to minus $2.30.
LVSC oddsmaker Ken White cites the fact that Vegas bet shops seriously need Boston to prevail as a good excuse to wager on Colorado for those with a grudge against bookmakers.
"Every book in Las Vegas needs the Red Sox," White said.
"We opened Boston at minus $2.00 (to win the best-of-seven showdown) and it went to minus $2.30.
"We opened conservatively because if it goes too high, money will start coming back on Colorado.
"Boston was one of the favorites all season. You don't lose a lot of money on favorites."
The Rockies are another story.
"We sent them (futures) out at 75/1," White said. "I heard a couple books had them as high as 300/1 at one point."
The Fall Classic opens Wednesday at Fenway Park with Red Sox ace Josh Beckett facing Colorado lefty Jeff Francis.
"Francis is going to have his work cut out in Game 1, especially being a lefty," White observed. "You have that short porch in left and I can just see doubles bouncing off the wall."
The oddsmaker believes Colorado's nine-day layoff definitely will work against the Rockies, an argument with which a pair of Professional Handicappers League members totally concur.
"That's a big advantage for Boston," White said.
"Francis hasn't pitched since Oct. 11 and there's no way he can be sharp.
"He'll need time to loosen up."
East Coast PHL sports analyst >Bill Fishman dittos that an extended vacation might have been more enjoyable for the Rockies spent hanging out at a Tropics spa than spinning wheels in snow of the type that blanketed the Mile High City on Sunday.
"The layoff will hurt the Rockies," Fishman echoed.
"They've had over a week to get ready for their opponent.
"They will make it entertaining, but the Sox win easily.
"They would've given the Tribe a decent showing and had a chance to win, though."
The Midwest's Jimmy Boyd, Fishman's PHL associate, agrees with "Fish" as well as Las Vegas' official oddsmaker that Boston's seasoning is a main ingredient in what makes the Red Sox hot.
"Boston is the more experienced club," Boyd said.
"With homefield advantage and two games with Josh Beckett on the hill, one has to think the Red Sox will prove victorious.
"To pick Colorado in this series, one would be picking on the hope that Colorado stayed hot and that's it.
"Boston has them in every area.
"Even with that being said, this series is likely closer than expected.
"I say Boston in six."
White gives pitching and offensives nods to the Red Sox, but tosses the Rockies a defensive bone.
"One thing I found interesting about the Red Sox is the ALCS marked the first time all year their three starters (Beckett, Curt Schilling and Dice-K) were pulled back-to-back-to-back before they finished the fifth inning.," he said.
"Colorado has it together defensively.
"They also have games at home in which Boston gets no DH.
"I don't think the DH rule will hurt Colorado.
"They can take somebody off the bench to hit for the pitcher at Fenway, but Boston can't use the DH in Colorado."
White acknowledgeds both league reps have Big Mo going for them.
"They both have momentum, but it's hard to carry over momentum, especially after a layoff," White observed.
"I think a better phrase is 'great chemistry.'
"Both of these clubs have solid chemistry, but I think if you're talking talent, you have to go with the Red Sox."
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-hnYMpcM2eqTlIRPFHJaoRLdQJ3cVjDI-?cq=1&p=179
2007-10-23 05:28:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seriously The Red Sox will win because of the things that don't show up on a stat sheet
*Home field advantage
*They've been here before
* The fact that they play in the toughest division in baseball .My beloved Yankees breathing down their necks on a regular basis has made the made the Red Sox a tough team.
Red Sox in 6
2007-10-22 01:18:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I won't make any predictions on the series, other than to say it will be interesting.
Colorado, inexperienced, but very rested. And very, very hot.
Boston, a ton of post season experience, plus they have the knowledge that they're never out of it until they're out of it
btw, your "ohhhh sox in 4 cuz dey reelie roole, and bi the way I live in Boston" comment is PRICELESS!! ROFL Great job!!!
I hope it goes seven, because there's nothing like watching the 7th game of a World Series.
Best of luck to both teams, and I hope everyone enjoys the series.
2007-10-22 00:29:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Rockies have won 21 of their last 22 games to get where they are now, which has to be one of the great achievements in baseball history. However, all of that means nothing if they can't keep it up in the world series which will be difficult to accomplish against the Red Sox. I would give the edge to the Red Sox because of home field advantage and pitching, Sox in seven games.
2007-10-22 00:03:46 · answer #4 · answered by Frizzer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I gotta say, I"m taking the Rockies in 6. they're hot, real hot. Boston may be AL champs, but the Rocks are NL champs and did it in a more convincing fashion than the sox did. They're more rested, their relievers are fresh. This coming from a Cards fan, so I know that the best team in baseball doesn't win the series, just the hottest at the moment.
2007-10-22 00:57:37 · answer #5 · answered by evilcut99 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No doubt, Colorado is hottest team in baseball. But on both sides of the ball, Boston is simply better. Better pitching and similar offensive output but given that the Rockies numbers are inflated by their ballpark, Boston has the edge there as well. I expect the Red Sox to win in 5 (the Rockies won't be able to win a game in Boston).
2007-10-22 00:04:04 · answer #6 · answered by nicedoc 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In a series of seven experience, over individual briallinace will prevail. The roickies have a had a great season, bu they will be under pressure than the Sox who had done it in 3 years ago. They are bound to make mental mistakes at the most crucial junctures.
Boston's lineup is feared by anybody. Granted the defense is pretty bad, but if they have big game pitchers in Becket and Schilling, who have 3 world series titles, just between them.
Sox in 6
2007-10-21 22:48:41 · answer #7 · answered by Existentialist_Guru 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not even going to try to call this one!
On the one hand; we've got Colorado, whose numbers speak for themselves. But, the Rockies were on a hot streak that lead them to an early victory in the NLCS leaving them cooling their heels. Time off between the League series and the World series and the eternal question: does that time help or hurt?
Now we've got the Sox who just came from behind in their series, gotta be feeling good and pumped and will be taking their streak (and a lot of excitement) into the World series.
So; my call, anything could happen. If I had to bet the farm I'd go with Colorado in 6, but I wouldn't be too confident.
BTW: I'm a Phillies fan...and boy do I hurt from this year!
2007-10-21 22:38:30 · answer #8 · answered by slw19090 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm very concerned. The Rockies are really good & the Sox sometimes collapse.
But I've been a Red Sox fan for a long time & have gotten used to 'come from behind games' (and ulcers) so I hope they can hold it together & keep their momentum.
GO SOX!
2007-10-21 23:53:37 · answer #9 · answered by Winterskye 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe Bob Ryan of "The Boston Globe" is calling the Sox in 6.
And this is only if we can play the kind of baseball we played during the regular season.
2007-10-22 01:57:09 · answer #10 · answered by Pat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the Rockies have been playing better baseball. It will be interesting to see if the layoff hurts them. Hopefully it will be like the white sox a couple of years ago and won't affect them.
2007-10-22 00:05:40 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋