detail_26.jpgWebmaster’s Note: The Hammer, who is on location in Colorado for the World Series, meant this post for Wednesday. Unfortunately, I’ve been too busy to even post an already written post…my apologies and on to Hard Hittin’ Thursdays…

If you’re looking for something to pass the time between Michigan games this week let me turn your attention back to baseball. The Boston Red Sox are appearing in their second Fall Classic in four years and the Colorado Rockies “Destiny’s Darlings” are making their first appearance.

It took the Mile High expansion team 14 years to make it to their first World Series. However, by 1995, after their second year of baseball the Rockies made their first playoff appearance. Remember Larry Walker, Vinny Castilla, Dante Bichette and Andres Galaraga making a splash in the ‘95 season staring as the Blake St. Bombers?! If not, don’t fret, this Rockies team is sure to impress assuming they haven’t already caught your attention. They’ve won 21 or their last 22 games, including a one game playoff against the Padres in 13 innings off of Trevor Hoffman, the all-time saves leader in MLB history! They have an MVP candidate in leftfield (Matt Holliday) and their pitching staff features an ace lefty in Jeff Francis and two incredible young arms in Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales. (However Morales, a lefty that throws 97, has been left off the starting rotation in favor of Rockie veteran Aaron Cook who hasn’t pitched since early August…ah loyalty…Lloyd would be proud).

Anyhow, the Rockies are on an unbelievable run. They haven’t lost a game in the playoffs, going 7-0, the first time a team has started the playoffs with that record since the ‘76 Big Red Machine. However most feel the Red Sox are the clear favorites, mainly because of their pitching but if you’re looking for something to hang your hat on, these teams actually played in Fenway this year during interleague play and the Rockies took two out of three, outscoring the Red Sox 20-5 and taking Sox ace Josh Beckett behind the woodshed (don’t ask me what they did with him back there but…) If you’ve seen Young Josh pitch this post-season however his curve ball has been unhittable, a thing of beauty reminiscent of the great Doc Gooden. He should have continued success.

But I’m sold on the offensive and defensive balance of the Rockies. I think they’ll continue to play solid baseball. Their lineup has the ability to keep them in games I’m just not sure Josh Fogg and Aaron Cook are the answers at the back end of their rotation. What’s most remarkable is both teams have great bullpen, something rare in baseball today. Man I’m excited!!! I’m headed out to Denver on Friday and looking forward to watching some exciting baseball in the one-time launching pad that is Coors Field. We’re looking at lows in the 30’s at night in Denver and if the weather stays cold and the pitchers stay hot we could see some low scoring affairs! Look for Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis to play key roles for the Sox, setting the table for Big Papi, Manny and Mike Lowell. Of all the young guys on this Sox team though, I think Jacoby Ellsbury is going to have a special impact. Great bat control and tremendous speed, this kid will make a difference in this series. As for the Rockies, I can’t imagine them not needing the services of Franklin Morales. And when they call on him watch out, straight cheese from this lefty. He’ll be called on to hold down a rally from the Sox and asked to keep a couple of games close, allowing the Rockies bats to finally get going. He’ll be available in long relief starting in game one. It’s still baseball season folks, and there’s only ONE OCTOBER!!