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Leading Off
What's happening in the world of Major League Baseball.
October 2007
Tuesday October 30, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:30AM EST on October 30, 2007
The Red Sox will parade through Boston today, rolling by crowds on World War II amphibious vehicles. The "Ducks" will stop at Boston Common so that Hot Legs Jonathan Papelbon can do his riverdance Irish jig routine for roaring fans. With the team's balanced blend of talented youth and veteran players, this may not be the last parade the Red Sox will celebrate in years to come.
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Monday October 29, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:03AM EST on October 29, 2007
The "Curse of the Bambino" is officially ancient history. Boston swept Colorado, winning Game 4 last night in Denver, 4-3. Somehow, it didn't seem that close. Mike Lowell captured Series' MVP honors with another fine performance...a home run, double and headfirst slide to score in the 5th. Starter Jon Lester took a shutout into the 6th inning, and Jonathan Papelbon once again baffled Rockies' hitters for 1.2 innings to claim the save. Colorado's Aaron Cook threw well after a 10-week layoff, making Game 4 a true pitchers' duel, but Boston led all the way from the top of the 1st.
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Saturday October 27, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:24AM EST on October 27, 2007
The Rockies may be down two game to none, but the playoff-starved crowd at Coors Field will roar for them tonight. It's multi-million dollar rookie Daisuke Matsuzaka versus reliable righty, Josh Fogg, who hasn't lost in over two months. The Red Sox are starting David Ortiz at 1st, leaving Kevin Youkilis for potent pinch-hitting duty. Speculation is, the legendary Coors Field altitude may affect Dice-K's offspeed control, giving Colorado an edge. Also, the multi-pitch rook is 0-4 with a 6.75 ERA in his last six road games. Rockies' hitters hope to continue that streak, backed by a very rowdy crowd. ... (more)
Friday October 26, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:42AM EST on October 26, 2007
Boston grabbed a 2-0 series' lead last night with fine pitching by Curt Schilling, Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon. They tossed a 5-hitter at Colorado as only one batter other than Matt Holliday collected a base hit. Holliday went 4-for-4 but got picked off 1st base at a critical moment in the top of the 9th. Mike Lowell put the Sox ahead to stay in the 5th with a double. Though he had electric stuff, Colorado's rookie Ubaldo Jimenez was wild, walking five in 4.2 innings. The Rockies' bullpen also pitched well, but the essential big hit off Boston relievers did not materialize. ... (more)
Thursday October 25, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:45AM EST on October 25, 2007
Boston destroyed Colorado pitching last night, exploding for 17 hits and 13 runs as Josh Beckett tossed a nifty six hitter to take Game one of the World Series. Many records were set by the Red Sox, including most runs ever scored in a Series' opener and greatest margin of victory. Beckett dominated, setting his own record by striking out the first four batters he faced. Meanwhile, Boston clubbed Colorado starter Jeff Francis for 10 hits and six earned runs. David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Julio Lugo led the attack with three hits apiece. ... (more)
Wednesday October 24, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 9:51AM EST on October 24, 2007
The young Colorado Rockies are this season's Cinderella story and soon we will see if the team can weave its magic in baseball's big dance. If the Rockies can win one of two in Boston, the World Series will boast the kind of drama baseball fans dream of. In many ways, it's the new generation (Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki, Brad Hawpe and Jeff Francis) versus the status quo (Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Josh Beckett and Jason Varitek). But the Sox have their share of young players too...only a handful were around for the '04 championship. On paper, the pitching edge goes to Boston. Of course, that's what the experts said about Arizona against Colorado, and they got swept. ... (more)
Monday October 22, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:13AM EST on October 22, 2007
Boston completed a stirring comeback last night, winning the AL pennant in convincing fashion, 11-2. Led by rookie Dustin Pedroia's five RBIs, and three hits each by Kevin Youkilis and Jason Varitek, the Red Sox offense pounded Cleveland's bullpen. A gritty Jake Westbrook hung in for six innings, giving the Indians a chance, down just 3-2. His counterpart, Daisuke Matsuzaka was solid through five, allowing just two earned runs and walking none. But the Sox padded their lead on Pedroia's 2-run shot in the 7th, then broke the game wide open with a 6-run 8th, chiefly off reliever Rafael Betancourt. Closing ace Jonathan Papelbon sealed Cleveland's fate with two scoreless innings to end the game.
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Thursday October 18, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 9:27AM EST on October 18, 2007
On the brink of elimination, Boston sends ace Josh Beckett to the hill to save the season. Cleveland counters with C.C. Sabathia who has struggled in the playoffs. The Indians have the home field advantage, looking to avoid a trip back to Boston. In the opening game of the championship series, Beckett bettered Sabathia for his team's lone victory. Can he halt Cleveland's roaring momentum and silence the jubilant crowd at Jacobs Field? Either way, the Rockies await.
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Wednesday October 17, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:15AM EST on October 17, 2007
Veteran Paul Byrd tossed 6-hit ball through five innings, good enough to stake Cleveland to a 3-1 series lead last night. Boston staged a brief homer barrage in the top of the 6th, but the Indians' bullpen settled in to preserve the 7-3 margin. Both teams were blanked for the first four frames, Tim Wakefield's fluttering knuckler keeping Cleveland off balance. But Casey Blake homered to ignite the Indians' 7-run explosion in the 5th, and the Tribe never looked back. Boston's Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez hit a trio of solo homers to start the next inning, but it was too little, too late.
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Tuesday October 16, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:53AM EST on October 16, 2007
Colorado rocketed to its first World Series via a 6-run 4th inning, then held off a late D'Backs charge last night, 6-4. Series MVP Matt Holliday hit a 3-run shot to lead the way as the Rockies piled on Arizona's Micah Owings for the six runs. Meanwhile, Cleveland jumped ahead in the ALCS 2-1 with a fine pitching performance by Jake Westbrook who out dueled Dice-K behind three key double plays for a 4-2 win. Boston's big bats recorded zero RBIs, though Jason Varitek homered to pull the Sox within two. The series continues tonight in Cleveland.
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Monday October 15, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:49AM EST on October 15, 2007
Colorado continues to peak, grabbing its 6th post-season win in a row last night to take a 3-0 lead in the NLCS. In the 4-1 victory, starter Josh Fogg scattered seven hits over six innings to pace the Rockies; the bullpen pitched 1-hit ball the rest of the way. On offense, NL batting champ Matt Holliday had a 2-hit night, and catcher Yorvit Torrealba cracked a decisive 3-run homer in the bottom of the 6th. The blast put Colorado ahead of Arizona to stay.
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Saturday October 13, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:44AM EST on October 13, 2007
Boston bats belted C.C. Sabathia early and often as Josh Beckett cruised to a 4-hit, 10-3 win last night at Fenway. Sabathia lasted just 4.1 innings, and no Cleveland pitcher was able to retire David Ortiz or Manny Ramirez all night. So Boston's 3rd and 4th hitters reached base 10 times, setting the table for a Mike Lowell feast. He drove in three and helped the Red Sox command an 8-1 lead by the 5th inning. Cleveland's Travis Hafner got a 1st inning homer off Beckett, but he was stingy otherwise while striking out seven.
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Friday October 12, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:47AM EST on October 12, 2007
Jeff Francis scattered seven hits over 6.2 innings to lead Colorado to an opening series win last night before an angry Chase Field crowd in Phoenix. A controversial sliding call went against Arizona in the bottom of the 7th, effectively killing a rally in progress. Fans threw debris onto the field and the game was stopped for 10 minutes. The D'Backs' fire turned to ashes after the intermission, and the Rockies' cool bullpen kept Arizona batters off base. Colorado's Brad Hawpe led the team, going 2-for-3 with a decisive 2-run RBI. Arizona ace Brandon Webb allowed four earned runs early, more than the Rockies needed.

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Thursday October 11, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:41AM EST on October 11, 2007
Colorado and Arizona both won 90 games this year to lead the National League. The only game the Rockies have lost in their last 18 was at home to the Diamondbacks on Sept. 28. The winning pitcher for that game? Arizona's ace Brandon Webb, who looks to whip Colorado again tonight. The Rockies counter with their ace, Jeff Francis, a 17-game winner. Both teams boast youthful talent throughout their lineups, but the key matchup shapes up like this: D'Backs experienced starting rotation versus the Rockies' potent young offense.
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Wednesday October 10, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:09AM EST on October 10, 2007
The excellence of the Red Sox pitching staff makes the team the logical pick in the AL championship series. The 1-2 punch of starters Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling is backed by a lights-out bullpen and one Jonathon Papelbon. But don't crown the Sox just yet. Cleveland has its own excellent 1-2 starting punch in C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona. Not to mention a lineup that hit more home runs in the regular season than Boston. The only catch is...we have to wait till Friday for the battle begin.
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Tuesday October 9, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:57AM EST on October 9, 2007
Cleveland ended New York's season last night 6-4 behind Paul Byrd's confident pitching and consistent offensive production. It could very well be manager Joe Torre's last game in a Yankee uniform. George Steinbrenner is on record that he intends to let Torre go. For the Indians, it is their first ALCS since 1998, and they earned the trip. Leading off with an excellent starting rotation (C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona), and a balanced attack, Cleveland should give Boston a true championship test.
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Monday October 8, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 11:31AM EST on October 8, 2007
New York rallied big to back manager Joe Torre Sunday night closing to 2-1 in their series with Cleveland. The Yankees did it after starter Roger Clemens re-injured his hamstring in the 3rd inning. Behind the solid pitching of rookies Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain, New York staged a stirring comeback. Johnny Damon lifted the Yanks ahead for good with a 3-run homer in the 5th, capping a 4-RBI night. Even A-Rod had a 2-hit game, along with Hideki Matsui and Robinson Cano. Tonight, the Yankees send Chien-Ming Wang to the hill on short rest to even the series at two games apiece.
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Thursday October 4, 2007
Permalink Posted by: Skeet at 10:02PM EST on October 4, 2007
C.C. Sabathia hurled a gem and Cleveland's offense pounded New York pitching to notch a 1-0 series lead last night at Jacobs Field. After Johnny Damon homered to lead off the 1st, Sabathia pitched five artful innings of 4-hit ball. The five intense innings (114 pitches) were enough to stake the I