If recent to say nothing of past history offers us any guidance the St. Louis Cardinals appear to have the Boston Red Sox right where they want them. But if perchance the Red Sox decide to break with tradition and prevail in this World Series there are a few possible explanations.
First, the fundamental maxim of all championships: the best team doesn’t always win. Second, anything can happen in a short series. And third, good pitching beats good hitting, which suggests that this year at least the best team is indeed winning.
No one can match the contemporary version of murderers row the Cardinals throw at that their opponents. Walker, Pujols, Rolen, Edmond. Not an easy out among them with Pujols arguably the best hitter in baseball. But starting pitching is another matter. It isn’t that St. Louis lacks quality starters, it’s just that they lack dominating ones.
The Red Sox aren’t exactly chopped liver when it comes to hitting, but there’s no doubt what has separated them from the Cardinals thus far has been the duo of Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez. Red Sox pitching in general has shut down the heart of the St. Louis offense, most notably Scott Rolen. If Derek Lowe can approach the stuff he had last season, the Sox are in good position to close out the series tonight. And a return to form by Lowe couldn’t come too soon given the strong possibility that the ailing Schilling is done for the season.
The series has entered Yogi Berra territory but the good citizens of Red Sox Nation are clearing their throats in anticipation of some serious shouting.
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