Who will challenge the Rockies?
by GURPREET NANDRA The Colorado Rockies have won 21 of their last 22 games in one of the most remarkable paths to the World Series in recent baseball history. Now the Rockies find themselves sitting on top of major league baseball in their first-ever World Series berth. Exactly one month ago yesterday the Colorado Rockies sat in the middle of the pack in the National League West division. They were five games back in the division, and even their own players were skeptical about their chances at a playoff win. “We’re going to have to catch some breaks and need to get some help,” said Rockies slugger Todd Helton on Sept. 16. Helton is one of the only well-known players on this young team comprised largely of home grown talent. Now the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians are battling it out for the American League Championship and a chance to meet the Colorado Rockies in this year’s October classic. Boston won their last World Series in 2004 when they reversed the “curse of Bambino.” Cleveland won their last World Series in 1948. Boston had the advantage in Game 1 with a 10-3 win at Fenway. Josh Beckett outpitched Indians ace C.C. Sabathia. Beckett pitched six innings and gave up just two runs and four hits. Sabathia, a contender for the Cy Young award, went 4 1/3 innings, with seven hits, eight runs, five walks and three strikeouts. He didn’t look much like an ace. Game 2 was important for both clubs. With a win, the Sox would have a 2-0 lead. For the Indians, a win would tie the series 1-1 and give them a chance to win the series. Game 2 lasted 11 innings, ending in a 13-6 Indians victory. The Tribe broke open the game with a hit from Trot Nixon in the 11th inning. The Tribe controlled Game 3. Kenny Lofton hit a homerun and the Red Sox struggled. Manny Ramirez and Coco Crisp, two former Tribe members, came to the plate to regain the lead in the series. Jake Westbrook lasted six innings and gave up seven hits. Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched 4 2/3 innings and gave up 6 hits. David Ortiz was hit by the ball while running to second base and was automatically out. The Indians currently lead the series 2-1. Game 4 will be played Oct. 16 at 8 p.m.
Photo by REUTERS/Matt Sullivan (UNITED STATES)
Boston Red Sox 2nd baseman Dustin Pedroia threw to first base, and Cleveland Indians’ Asdrubal Cabrera was out at second, while base umpire Gary Cederstrom watches during the fifth inning of Game 3 of the ALCS playoff series at the Jake on October 15, 2007.
Observer photo by Gurpreet Nandra
A Nationals fan showing support for the Boston Red Sox.