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Who Will Hoist The World Series Trophy?
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Published: October 2, 2007
Updated: 10/02/2007 01:00 am
If hope springs eternal in March, the possibilities are boundless for the teams still alive in October. But for every reason to believe, there's a reason to fret. Here are the arguments in favor of - and against - the eight playoff teams hoisting the World Series trophy in three weeks:
Red Sox
Why they'll win: They've been the best team in baseball from Day One because of pitching. Probable Cy Young winner Josh Beckett has proven he belongs on the big stage.
Why they won't: They no longer play with the carefree verve that the 'idiots' of 2004 brought to every game. And Manny Ramirez isn't healthy.
Yankees
Why they'll win: They're the Yankees. That still means something, especially after Joe Torre guided his team to the best record in baseball in the second half.
Why they won't: Probable AL MVP Alex Rodriguez will go back into his usual October shell and Roger Clemens will look every minute of 45 years old.
Indians
Why they'll win: They have the best one-two punch at the top of their rotation, C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona. And the city of Cleveland is experiencing favorable sports biorhythms this year.
Why they won't: Closer Joe Borowski led the league in saves, but his 5.07 ERA meant every night was an adventure. It's hard to win a World Series without a slam-the-door bullpen.
Angels
Why they'll win: Despite nagging injuries to Vladimir Guerrero and Gary Matthews Jr., the lineup has proven to be fairly deep and the one-two bullpen punch of Scot Shields and Francisco Rodriguez is hard to beat in a short series.
Why they won't: Game One starter John Lackey went 0-2 with an 8.38 ERA in two starts this season at Fenway Park. Game One is at Fenway Park.
Phillies
Why they'll win: Karma is on their side after they overcame the muddling Mets in the final days of the season. Also, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins are on their side.
Why they won't: The only reason Philly needed a miracle comeback in the first place was bullpen inconsistency. That's settled down a bit, but it's always a big question mark for Manager Charlie Manuel.
Cubs
Why they'll win: With Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, there is potency on offense. And Lou Piniella knows how to manage in the postseason.
Why they won't: The lineup has been prone to disturbingly quiet moments this year, and the relievers (outside of youngster Carlos Marmol) have been inconsistent.
Rockies
Why they'll win: Winning 13 of their last 14 games was no fluke. This team can hit, and it can pitch just well enough to keep things interesting.
Why they won't: Outside of Jeff Francis, Manager Clint Hurdle is depending on a patched-together rotation and a bullpen of retreads like Jorge Julio.
Diamondbacks
Why they'll win: Quietly, they've become the most exciting young team in the NL and ace Brandon Webb is eager to prove his worth on the national stage. The bullpen also can dominate.
Why they won't: They're still too young to know what's going on, and a team that was outscored 732-712 might not be quite ready to go all the way.
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