The Boston Red Sox are gearing up for Game 1 of the World Series at home at Fenway Park after the American League won the All-Star game and with both teams having 97 wins, there isn't as much beef as usual with the Cardinals coming from St. Louis for the series.
Game 1 will have a nicer matchup with Adam Wainwright and Jon Lester and the following game will also be a big matchup, as young star Michael Wacha will take on John Lackey and for game 3 it will be Clay Buchholz against another youngster in Joe Kelly and that comes before Jake Peavy and Lace Lynn will matchup. The bullpens for both teams have been even and Wacha could be the most important player in the series, as Wainwright can win on the road and if Wacha continues his strong pitching, Boston could be in a 2-0 hole, something that almost happened against the Tigers before David Ortiz changed all that will one swing.
The Cardinals had one of the strongest lineups in baseball this past season and so did the Red Sox, as both teams were ranked in the top five of the league in runs, batting average as well as one base percentage and the strength of the lineups could make it a very interesting battle. Playing in a National League park could also be tough for the Red Sox, as they have David Ortiz and other players that could use the DH, but they will have to figure out ways around it.
The two managers in Mike Matheny and John Farrell are evenly matched as well and they have made some good decisions heading down the stretch. Uehara has been fantastic and so has Trevor Rosenthal and the bullpen battles will be interesting to see. The teams are meeting up again after the Red Sox swept the Cardinals in four games back in 2004.
Some storylines:
Can Koji Uehara keep up his amazing season? The Boston closer has been lights out all year and in the playoffs and he comes in with 21 saves in 24 chances and he also won the ALCS MVP award after playing very well.
Will Allen Craig get added to the World Series roster? The absence of Craig almost came back to bite the Cardinals against the Dodgers, but after sitting out that series and the one before, it appears that he will be playing in the Series. Craig was one of the top players for the team this season and he had 97 RBIs before getting hurt and he hasn't played since early September, but he could be a huge factor on Wednesday and since is in an AL park in Fenway, he could play some DH to get even more rest. He has a foot injury and that could be an issues, but if he is healthy enough to play, he will play.
Will Trevor Rosenthal give up a run? Rosenthal was not the regular closer in the regular season, but he has been amazing in the playoffs, hitting triple digits on the gun and not giving up a run yet in the postseason.
Lineup options:
Cardinals will likely have: Matt Carpetnter, Carlos Beltran, Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina, Allen Craig at DH, David Freese, Matt Adams, John Jay, Shane Robinson, Pete Kozma and Daniel Descalso
The Sox will likely have: Jacoby Ellsbury, Shane Victorino, Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, Mike Napoli, Jonny Gomes, Daniel Nava, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Stephen Drew and Xander Bogaerts
Fun facts:
This is the first time in over 10 years that the top two teams in each league have made it to the World Series.
The Red Sox had the best record in the American League in the AL East, while the St. Louis Cardinals were best in the National League in the NL Central division.
The last time it happened was back in 1999 when the New York Yankees defeated the Atlanta Braves in the World Series.
Trevor Rosenthal has not allowed a run yet in the playoffs for the Cardinals out of the bullpen
Michael Wacha is the first player in history to toss up two scoreless starts as a rookie in the same postseason series, according to ESPN.com. He also is the first rookie to win his first three starts of the postseason (per ESPN).
Carlos Beltran has continued to just kill it in the playoffs, adding 12 RBIs to his career postseason total.
According to ESPN.com, the Cards are in their 19th World Series and they will not have a lefty starter in the World Series.
