Francona did enough right, especially sticking with slumping vets, to get here. I am not sure how much World Series experience managing he has Hitman. I am sure Tony has been there a few times, and had success. That first run squeeze was real nice, caught Astros napping. Cards also quite versatile, can manufacture runs or long ball. But, like the Devil Rays in the AL, who matched up very well with NL teams, speed and small ball, The Cardinals matched up quite well with the AL, baserunners and HR's. Red Sox rotation seems up in air, with health a big question mark. Schilling gutted out 2nd game, but they need a couple more out of him. His ankle is a huge question mark. Pedro just does not dominate any longer, and really tailed off late. Did Lowe all of a sudden get good? Or did the Yankee bats become weak? They sure did nothing after game #3.
Cards have deep underrated starters. Some say Carpenter will make a start. Cards pen quite erratic during last series. La Russa can also tank the series. I remember seeing the Reds as 40-1 to sweep the heavily favored A's. It happened. But being there and learning from that is better than zero experience. Also, in close games, one managerial decision can make the difference. Who would you rather have, Francona or La Russa? Seems like the National clubs have fared well in the big show, even when expected to fold. The Yankees and Red Sox get a lot of media attention, the National League is just an afterthought. Except, they win. Well, maybe not Dusty Baker, but what has he done lately.
The Cards hit HR's in a deep park, no green monster for them at home. Any righties with power in that lineup? Another factor, no dh in St. Louis. Francona has a puzzle here as without a DH they lose defense, badly, or hitting. This is the first World Series I have seen without 1 dominate starter. The Cards just do not have one. Schill is, but not on a bum ankle. Pedro slipped this year. So far in the playoffs, all teams favored to win series did, 6-0. But this is the World Series. Personally, I would not want Wake as the game #1 starter. I think Pedro should be, but he was more importantly used to protect that 7 run lead. Another handicap with Schill's ankle, he must start at home. Again this forces Francona's hand in setting rotation. That is why he goes game#2 instead of one.
After all that, it still seems like the Red Sox have a second, bigger mountain to climb. They struggled with the first Yankee mountain, and had to do something never done before. Not sure what they have left in tank emotionally. To say that comeback against Yankess was an emotionally draining series is a major understatement. Francona set the rotation for Schill to start game 6, Pedro game 7. Both teams are much better at home, than on the road. With that said I think Red Sox have a slight, ever so slight advantage, but not more than 3/2. Manager wise, Cards have the advantage. It would not be the first time a Red Sox manager managed to lose a big game, or a big series. Your turn Hitman. I gave you mine. Let's see yours. No predictions, just general observations will suffice. :heh:
Almost forgot the Prescription forum bias. Red Sox win it all, because the forum told me so.
