If someone told you the Boston Red Sox would make four errors in each of the first two World Series games, you'd probably mutter a few words about a curse and expect the Red Sox to be on their way to losing another World Series. Instead, Boston is up two games to none, and all signs point to their first World Series victory in over 80 years.
Remember, the Sox haven't won anything yet (except bragging rights over with the New York Yankees). They still need two more victories, but the foundation has been set, and it's built a lot stronger than Curt Schilling's ankle.
No one has ever risen as far so fast in Boston sports lore than Schilling. If the Sox win the World Series, he has to be up there in the ranks with Larry Bird, Bobby Orr, Ted Williams and others. Even if the Sox don't win, Schilling's performance has been superhuman. Forget steroids, Major League Baseball needs to do an investigation and see if this guy has made a pact with Satan.
Blood was seeping out of his ankle as he pitched. He has had minor surgery on the ankle before each of his last two starts. At this point, would it surprise you if he hit a ninth-inning pinch-hit home run into a lightower in St. Louis? Would it? Yeah it probably would. But the guy is still unbelievable.
Back on Earth, the Red Sox still need to win two more games. Boston couldn't ask to be in a better position with Pedro Martinez starting game three. Pedro's far from the Pedro of 1999, 2000 or even 2003, but he's still better than anyone on St. Louis.
The Red Sox came back from a big deficit in the ALCS; surely St. Louis could do the same in this series, right? Highly unlikely. Boston has consistent starting pitching that allowed them to stay in every game. Unfortunately for the Cards, their starting pitching isn't particularly good, especially after losing number one starter Chris Carpenter to injury at the end of the regular season.
St. Louis will have their next best pitcher on the mound in Game Three, Jeff Suppan. As fans in Boston know well, he's not exactly regarded as a pressure pitcher. Suppan was acquired by Boston at the trading deadline in 2003 and he performed terribly. Overall he's a decent pitcher, but the Red Sox lineup should be able to do some damage nonetheless.
The other big problem for the Cardinals is that they don't have a relief ace in the bullpen. The loss of lefty Steve Kline was a huge blow (1.79 ERA in the regular season). Their closer, Jason Isringhausen, had a solid regular season, but he has been throwing the ball all over the place in the postseason. The Cardinals mediocre rotation combined with a shorthanded bullpen is bound to catch up with them.
The one weakness in Boston's play has been its defense. They have had eight errors in two games. The bad news for Boston fans is that it probably won't get a whole lot better in St. Louis because of National League rules. That's right, the Other League, the one with double switches, no designated hitter and no "God Bless America" in the seventh inning. The last part may have been a lie.
Playing in St. Louis means people won't just be laughing at Big Papi's playful antics, they'll be laughing at his defense at first base. Everyone loves Papi, but just from looking at him you can tell he's not the most, uh, agile person in the world. So expect a little excitement in the field.
St. Louis's only hope is to have the middle of the order carry them as they have all season. The problem is a dominant middle of the order doesn't guarantee a World Series. Just ask the Cleveland Indians teams of the '90s. So far, Boston has done a good job neutralizing that advantage. Larry Walker had a big Game One and Albert Pujols was fantastic in Game Two, but unless the whole group is clicking on all cylinders, they're going to have a hard time coming back in this series.
You may not be aware of this, but the Boston Red Sox have come close to winning a World Series Championship before. Boston fans are hoping this is their time, and with a 2-0 lead and Pedro on the mound tonight, it looks like they may be right.
