World Series Preview

Colorado Rockies vs. Boston Red Sox It's the Sox vs. the Rocks in the annual Fall Classic beginning Wednesday night at Boston's fabled Fenway Park. The Rockies are the 'feel-good" story of the season, getting a chance at post-season play by winning 13 of their last 14 games and finally clinching a playoff spot with a single-game elimination of the San Diego Padres for the wild card.

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Boston, on the other hand, cruised through the regular season, most of the time holding the best record in baseball, as they led the AL East nearly start to finish, ending the regular season with a 2-game lead over the NY Yankees. Both teams possess talent-laden lineups, with big bats in the middle of the orders. Boston has home field, meaning games 1 and 2 will be at Fenway, while games 3, 4 and if necessary, 5, will be played in Denver, at Coors Field. If the series goes 6 or 7, those game will be at Fenway, usually a distinct advantage for the AL entrant. How they got here: Boston swept three straight over the California Angels in the ALDS and won 3 games to 4 over the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS. Boston had home filed advantage in both series. Colorado swept both the NLDS and NLCS, winning three straight over Philadelphia and four straight over Arizona. Colorado did not have home field advantage in either series. Relevant stats: Top hitters for Boston: Player (reg. season), (playoffs) David Ortiz (right) (.332, 35 HR, 117 RBI), (.387, 3, 6) Manny Ramirez (.296, 20, 88), (.400, 4, 14) Kevin Youkilis (.288, 16, 83), (.425, 4, 9) Dustin Pedroia (.318, 8, 50), (.286, 1, 6) Top hitters for Colorado: Player (reg. season) (playoffs) Matt Holliday (right) (.340, 36, 137), (.286, 4, 7) Brad Hawpe (.291, 29 116), (.304, 0, 2) Garrett Atkins (.301, 25, 111), (.185, 0, 1) Troy Tulowitzki (.291, 24, 99), (.179, 1, 2) Top pitchers for Boston: Player (reg. season) (playoffs) Josh Beckett (right) (20-7, 3.97 ERA, 194 K), (3-0, 1.17, 26) Curt Schilling (9-8, 3.87, 101), (2-0, 3.38, 12) Hideki Okijima middle reliever (3-2, 2.22, 63 K), (7 IP, no dec., 0.00 ERA, 5 K) Jonathan Papelbon closer (1-3, 1.85, 84 K, 37 S), (6.1 IP, 1 W, 1 S, 0.00, 4 K) Top pitchers for Colorado: Player (reg. season) (playoffs) Jeff Francis (right) (17-9, 4.22, 165), (2-0, 2.13, 12) Ubaldo Jiminez (4-4, 4.28, 68), (11 IP, no dec., 1.59, 11 K) Brian Fuentes late reliever (3-5, 3.08, 56 K, 20 S), (6 IP, 1 W, 4.50, 10 K) Manny Corpas closer (4-2, 2.08, 58 K, 19 S), (8.2 IP, 1 W, 5 S, 1.04, 6 K) Key analysis points

• No DH in Colorado means Boston loses Ortiz, Rockies get another strong bat.
• Boston's Beckett seems unbeatable in post-season play.
• Colorado's starters are young and untested, but the bullpen is deep.
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• Boston has huge experience edge.
• Colorado has won 21 of last 22 and 7 straight in post-season. 8-day layoff won't cool them down.
• While it may get cold in Boston, it could snow in Denver.
• Teams met in interleague play in June. Colorado took two of three, winning 12-2 and 7-1, losing 2-1.
• Game 3 starters could be key. Josh Fogg (Rockies) won 2 playoff games and is well rested. Daisuke Matsuzaka (Red Sox) was a bit shaky in playoffs with a win, loss and no decision, 5.65 ERA in 3 starts.
• Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield off roster for Boston. Jon Lester will be likely starter.
• Rockies have the best defense in the majors.
• Final analysis: Rockies split in Boston, win 2 of 3 in Denver, win game 6 in Boston, win series 4 games to 2.

Game One first pitch is 8:23 pm ET Wednesday, Oct. 24.