World Series Ramblings

If it were not for 2004, I would feel terrible for Tim Wakefield after he was left off the World Series roster with a bad shoulder. Wake is the symbol of how Red Sox Nation has evolved from a perpetual loser to a dynasty in the making. Wake has been up (1995 AL East champions, 1995 Cy Young candidate), down (left off the ALCS roster in 1999, giving up Aaron Boone's homerun in 2003) and back up again (2004 World Series champions). However, his poor health at such an important time make Wake a liability against such an offensive power. The thought of a hurting Wake facing the Rockies in Coors Field is not a thought I want to entertain. Jon Lester, as young and inexperienced as he is, gives the Red Sox a better chance to win and that is why he is on the roster... The Rockies haven't played since last Monday, a layoff of nine days. Will that be harmful to a team that had won 21-of-22 games to make the playoffs as a Wild Card entry and then win the National League? If you live in Red Sox Nation, one can only hope. People in Boston, as they tend to do from time to time, have the belief that Colorado will be defeated just as quickly as the Cardinals were in '04. I don't think that will be the case. The Rockies have a powerful lineup -- Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki, Todd Helton, Garrett Atkins, Brad Hawpe and Kaz Matsui -- and although their pitching is not great, it has got them to the Series. This will be no walk in the (Fenway) park... Is there another active pitcher other than Josh Beckett that you would want on the mound in Game One? Didn't think so... What is Terry Francona to do when the Sox get to Denver? He will have a major decision to make regarding his DH, David Ortiz. Big Papi will be at first base, replacing Kevin Youkilis. That will be a major blow to the Sox offense. Youk can shift to third base but that would take Mike Lowell out of action. There is no easy answer. As for those of you who think the solution is to replace J.D. Drew in rightfield with Youk (who has played some outfield in the past), remember that Coors Field isn't just a hitters dream because the light air produces high numbers of homeruns, it is also home to enormous alleys that turn routine hits into doubles and triples in the blink of an eye. I would rather replace Drew with Coco Crisp for the defense that with Youkilis for the offense. The best solution is to go with Ortiz and Lowell with Youkilis available off the bench to pinch-hit. It's not perfect but it is the best option available... Winning the first two games at Fenway is more important than most of want to admit... Red Sox in 6...