Colorado Rockies vs. Boston Red Sox World Series Preview

The World Series starts Wednesday, and for the Colorado Rockies, it has to have felt like an eternity since they last played a game of baseball. Having easily swept through the NLDS and NLCS on their streak of 21 wins in 22 games, they now prepare to head to Boston to start the World Series against the Red Sox.

Boston enters this series after going a full 7 games in the American League Championship Series with the Cleveland Indians, at one point down 3 games to 1. Boston has had inconsistent performances at times from their players this postseason, including problems at the plate with team captain Jason Varitek, Julio Lugo and Coco Crisp. Pitching was not excellent in the ALCS and the Boston pitchers have had less time to rest up for the World Series than the Rockies bullpen.

Expect both teams to stick with the lineups and rotations that got them to where they are at for the most part, with slight changes by the Red Sox. Colorado will be forced to use a Designated Hitter in at least two games, perhaps four, and you can expect that to be Cory Sullivan. Sullivan played in 72 games this year for the Colorado Rockies, posting a .286 batting average. While not a good enough player to be a consistent starter in the Rockies solid outfield, Sullivan will fill the DH role just fine in Boston. Continue to look for Kazuo Matsui to be the Rockies leadoff hitter and a threat to steal once he gets on base.

The biggest problem that the Boston lineup may face is the trip to Colorado. With Kevin Youkilis playing as well as he has been playing, and David Ortiz unable to play anywhere other than first base, Ortiz may have to sit on the bench, serving as a pinch hitter for a pitcher as needed. Also, look for Jacoby Ellsbury to continue to play if Coco Crisp continues to struggle. Crisp may also be utilized as a pinch runner in Colorado if a pitcher gets on, given his speed and base running abilities.