Rocking Around the Clock

The Rockies are going to the World Series.  Who'd have thunk it?

21 out of 22.  Two different double-digit winning streaks.  The first team ever two sweep the LDS and LCS.  A team that should vote Trevor Hoffman a playoff share, because the last two of his seven blown saves kept them alive and going.

It was typical Rockies last night as well.  Clint Hurdle seems to be in the zone as well as his players, because he sent up a pinch hitter in the fourth inning.  Sure enough, Seth Smith hits a weak little popup.  However, because this is the Magical Rockie Tour, that ball carries just out of range of everyone chasing it but stays fair, letting the go-ahead run score.  An error, a hit, and a big home run by Matt Holliday and it was all over but the shouting.

The Rockies will have a sizable following in the Series.  It seems to me that a lot of casual fans root for the underdog, the good story.  If Boston is their opponent, most anyone that's not a part of Red Sox Nation will be donning purple.  It'd be different, perhaps, if 2004 hadn't happened or that the Sox weren't becoming viewed in some quarters as the successor to the "Evil Empire" tag the Yankees have.  (Really, can a team be an empire if they've only gone to the Series twice in seven years?  And had post-season futility the rest of the time?)  If Cleveland wins, the storyline of them trying to win their first series in 58 years (the second-longest streak active, behind the Cubbies' now 99) will win them some fans as well.

The Rockies have eight days off, which may stunt their momentum somewhat.  Then again, this is a man that has gotten few predictions right in this postseason, so don't take my word for it.

Good to see the Indians take a 2-1 lead.  You know Fox is happy about it, meaning that there is a good likelihood of a long series.  (How ticked is TBS?  Their first year doing playoff baseball and they get one game over the minimum.  That'll bring in the revenue.)  The Indians really needed that win.  You know you are going to run into Beckett again, and that's likely a loss (though a Sabathia/Beckett rematch in Cleveland might go the Indians way).  I wonder if the Indians breathe huge signs of relief if they can get past the two-headed monster of Ortiz and Ramirez.  The rest of the Sox lineup can hurt you, but don't have that impending doom about them that those guys have.

Game 4 tonight probably turns on how Wakefield's knuckler is going.  If it's on, the Sox have a good chance.  If not, it could be a high scoring game.

3 Comments

3 Comments | Leave a comment

Oberkfell3B | October 16, 2007 11:01 AM | Reply

I am really stoked about the Rockies getting in! Their story is really something, what with the incredible number of wins they have gotten to end the season. Makes you wonder how they will react once they get a loss in the WS, that is, if they do suffer a loss.

cardinal70 | October 16, 2007 11:21 AM | Reply

And right now, you gotta say, a loss is iffy. ;)

Seriously, though, you are right. It might be tough if they lose Game 1 for them to rebound.

Then again, they've been playing elimination games for a month now. It's possible they could be the second team to win after being down 3-0. Right now, you can't count them out of anything.

FireDannyAinge | October 17, 2007 12:07 AM | Reply

They have been amazing but I wonder how long they can keep this up.

http://firedannyainge.wordpress.com

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