World Series Game 1 Preview

UPDATE 9:13PM
Strikeout to Helton to start the inning. Garrett Atkins then doubled off the Green Monster. Brad Hawpe then struck out. Troy Tulowitzki doubled off the scoreboard to drive in Atkins. Yorvit Torrealba grounded out to Lugo.

3-1 heading to the bottom of the second.

From this point I'm only going to be updating with significant events from the game.

UPDATE 9:02PM
Youkilis followed with a double and was sent to third on an Ortiz groundout. Manny Ramirez then singled to left scoring Youkilis.

After the umpire called a pitch low for a strike on 3-0, Mike Lowell flew out to right center. Jason Varitek then hit a single to left. The suddenly hot hitting JD Drew doubled down the right field line scoring Ramirez. Julio Lugo grounded out to third to end the inning.

3-0 Boston after 1

UPDATE 8:46PM
Dustin Pedroia hits a leadoff homer 1-0 Sox

UPDATE 8:43PM
Strikeout, Strikeout, Strikeout. Man did Beckett look Awesome!

UPDATE 8:25PM
Introductions and National Anthem are finished. Flag is still drapped down over the Green Monster as pregame activites continue.

UPDATE 4:45PM
Lineups have been posted and here they are.

ROCKIES
CF Willy Taveras
2B Kaz Matsui
LF Matt Holliday
1B Todd Helton
3B Garrett Atkins
RF Brad Hawpe
SS Troy Tulowitzki
C Yorvit Torrealba
DH Ryan Spilborghs
(LHP Jeff Francis)

RED SOX
2B Dustin Pedroia
1B Kevin Youkilis
DH David Ortiz
LF Manny Ramirez
3B Mike Lowell
C Jason Varitek
RF JD Drew
SS Julio Lugo
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
(RHP Josh Beckett)

What a fun filled couple days since Boston wrapped up the American League Championship.

But now its time to get down to business. Game time is just a few hours away and it's time to take a look at the game tonight as well as the whole series.

Boston easily has the advantage with the game 1 pitching match up. Josh Beckett has been as reliable in the playoffs as anyone, ever.

The Red Sox bats have come alive since game 4 of the ALCS and have scored 30 runs over the past three games. Colorado meantime has been sitting home after such a hot run, thats something no team would ever want.

Prediction: Red Sox 8 Colorado 1

Overall Boston sits with advantages all around.

Many media outlets have done position by position breakdowns and the common theme has been that Boston basically controls the field except center field and short stop. However if one looks closely they would see that while on a whole the argument could be made that Colorado does have the better short stop the case isn't as clear in center field, especially when Jacoby Ellsbury enters the picture. That aside when comparing the play at the two positions during the playoffs at best it becomes a tossup.

Who has the advantages?

Catcher
Red Sox: Jason Varitek
Colorado: Yorvit Torrealba

First Base
Red Sox: Kevin Youkilis/David Ortiz
Rockies: Todd Helton

Second Base
Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia
Rockies: Kaz Matsui

Shortstop
Red Sox: Julio Lugo
Rockies: Troy Tulowitzki

Third Base
Red Sox: Mike Lowell/Kevin Youkilis
Rockies: Garret Atkins

Left Field
Red Sox: Manny Ramirez
Rockies: Matt Holiday

Center Field
Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury/Coco Crisp
Rockies: Willy Taveras

Right Field
Red Sox: JD Drew
Rockies: Brad Hawpe

Starting Pitching
Red Sox: Josh Beckett, Curt Schilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester
Rockies: Jeff Francis, Ubaldo Jimenez, Josh Fogg, Aaron Cook

Closer
Red Sox: Jonathan Papelbon
Rockies: Manny Corpas

Unless theres further news to bring, I will be back during pregame with posts cming through out the game. Enjoy Sox Nation.