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Rockies vs. Red Sox: Who's Got THE EDGE

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2007

First Base

Nobody has enjoyed Colorado's incredible charge to the NL pennant more than Todd Helton, a longtime star who waited 11 years and 1,578 games to reach the postseason. No longer the home run threat he once was, Helton still has gap-to-gap pop and a sharp eye. Often overshadowed by Boston's big names, Kevin Youkilis is one of the most underrated players in baseball. He's coming off a huge AL Championship Series against Cleveland, when he batted .500 (14-for-28) with three homers, a double, a triple, five walks and seven RBIs. He's hitting .425 in the postseason overall, and he has a reliable glove.

EDGE: Red Sox

Second Base

Cast off by the New York Mets after he was a major bust on Broadway, Kaz Matsui was rescued by the Rockies last season in a quiet trade. Now, he's a switch-hitting threat with speed who often bats second in the lineup. A leading contender for AL Rookie of the Year, Dustin Pedroia is a mighty mite who takes a huge hack at the plate.

EDGE: Red Sox

Shortstop

Outstanding defense and a dangerous bat made Troy Tulowitzki a co-favorite for NL Rookie of the Year along with Milwaukee third baseman Ryan Braun. Already a leader in the clubhouse for the wild-card Rockies, Tulowitzki knows what it takes to win.

Signed to a $36 million, four-year contract before this season, Julio Lugo struggled at the plate during his first year in Boston. But the former Devil Ray can run, and the high-scoring Red Sox rely on his glove more than his offense anyway.

EDGE: Rockies

Third Base

Stuck in a slump the first two months of the season, Garrett Atkins was benched for two days before tweaking his stance and rediscovering his stroke. He went on a tear the rest of the way. Some consider Mike Lowell to be the most important cog in Boston's powerful lineup because he bats fifth, protecting David Ortiz and fellow bopper Manny Ramirez. Lowell had an excellent season, hitting .324 with 120 RBIs. Then he batted .333 with a homer and 11 RBIs in the playoffs. Good glove, too.

EDGE: Red Sox, barely

Catcher

An unsung but important component on his team, Yorvit Torrealba draws praise for expertly grooming Colorado's no-name pitchers and handling the young staff. One of the most respected leaders in baseball, Jason Varitek is Boston's no-nonsense captain. He helped the Red Sox win the 2004 World Series, ending an 86-year title drought, and is still productive at 35 years old. Playing his 11th season in Boston, he batted .243 with a homer and five RBIs in the playoffs.

EDGE: Red Sox

Left Field

One of the best hitters in the game, Matt Holliday is a top contender for NL MVP. He led the league in batting (.340) and RBIs (137) while ranking high in several other major categories. A mysterious slugger with Hall of Fame hitting credentials, Manny Ramirez makes people shake their heads with his on-the-field antics and rare, curious comments from the clubhouse - he said, 'Who cares?' during the ALCS, but clearly he did. He's been on a tear since returning from an injured side muscle late in the regular season.

EDGE: Red Sox

Center Field

Colorado's Willy Taveras is a speedy leadoff hitter with great range. After a thigh injury sidelined him for the final three weeks of the regular season, he returned for the NLCS and made some key contributions. Poised and pesky rookie Jacoby Ellsbury started in place of slumping Coco Crisp in the final two games of the ALCS and held his own. It's hard to imagine the Red Sox messing with success now, so the speedy Ellsbury could make a name for himself in the Series.

EDGE: Rockies

Right Field

A quiet but consistent producer, Brad Hawpe has knocked in 200 runs over the past two seasons with his smooth left-handed swing. He also boasts a strong arm that deters base runners. Hawpe sometimes struggles against left-handed pitchers. After signing a $70 million, five-year contract in the offseason, J.D. Drew was a bust for most of his first season in Boston. But he delivered a huge performance when it counted in the ALCS, hitting a first-inning grand slam and driving in five runs during Game 6 at Fenway Park. Bobby Kielty occasionally starts in right against lefties.

EDGE: Even

Designated Hitter

A hard-nosed player who was called up from the minors in May, Ryan Spilborghs was a pleasant surprise for the Rockies. He subbed in center while Taveras was hurt and hit .356 against lefties with more power than expected. One of the best clutch hitters in baseball history, David Ortiz is at it again this October. He batted .387 with three homers, six RBIs and 12 walks in the playoffs for a .543 on-base percentage. It will be interesting to see if he plays first base at Coors Field, where there will be no designated hitter.

EDGE: Red Sox

Starting Pitchers

A surprising success, Colorado's rotation is made up of rookies and unheralded arms behind Jeff Francis, the team's homegrown ace. The 26-year-old lefty has delivered like a champion in October, going 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA in two playoff starts. After Francis, the Rockies turn to hard-throwing rookie Ubaldo Jimenez, who had a 1.59 ERA in two playoff starts. Josh Fogg figures to get a start - he's 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in the postseason. The other assignment probably will go to rookie left-hander Franklin Morales or veteran Aaron Cook, out since Aug. 10 with a strained muscle on his side. Pitching has been Boston's biggest strength all season, and the playoffs were no exception. The Red Sox boast a daunting 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation in Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling, two of the best pressure pitchers in baseball history. Daisuke Matsuzaka, the $103 million rookie from Japan, flopped in his first two playoff starts before tossing five solid innings to beat Cleveland in Game 7. Tim Wakefield came back from a shoulder problem and returned to the rotation in the ALCS, but he was left off the roster for the World Series because of the shoulder.

EDGE: Red Sox

Relief Pitchers

Another surprising strength, Colorado's bullpen had a 1.60 ERA in the playoffs, allowing five runs in 28 innings. There aren't many big names out there, but they've been extremely effective. Manny Corpas took over the closer's job from struggling All-Star Brian Fuentes at midseason and has done an outstanding job. Even journeymen LaTroy Hawkins and Matt Herges have been solid, combining for 6 2-3 scoreless innings in the postseason. There's plenty of balance in Boston's bullpen, which features hard-throwing closer Jonathan Papelbon and left-handed setup man Hideki Okajima. Those two plus right-hander Mike Timlin have combined for 17 shutout innings this postseason. Eric Gagne, the 2003 NL Cy Young Award winner, was acquired from Texas at the trade deadline in a much-ballyhooed deal that hasn't worked out at all.

EDGE: Red Sox

Manager

The Rockies remained patient with Clint Hurdle, who had a losing record in each of his first five years before getting a surprising contract extension just before this season started. It proved to be a smart move. Well-liked and respected in the clubhouse, Hurdle had the perfect touch as the young Rockies matured into a winning team this summer. A familiar face in October after leading Boston to two pennants and three playoff appearances in four years, Terry Francona has well handled the tough Boston media in a town where every move is scrutinized. He shrugs off criticism and sticks to his plan, trusting his players. And his teams never quit - especially in the postseason.

EDGE: Red Sox

PICK: Red Sox in 5

The Associated Press

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