World Series Game 1 Preview: The Beckett Experience continues

Game 1 Starters 830EST FOX
Jeff Francis (2-0, 4.86) vs. Josh Beckett (3-0, 1.21)

Lineups:

COLORADO-
1. Taveras CF
2. Matsui 2B
3. Holiday LF
4. Helton 1B
5. Atkins 3B
6. Hawpe RF
7. Tulowitzki SS
8. Torrealba C
9. Spillborghs DH

BOSTON-
1. Pedroia 2B
2. Youk 1B
3. Papi DH
4. Manny LF
5. Lowell 3B
6. Varitek C
7. Drew RF
8. Lugo SS
9. Ellsbury CF

The Sox continue their quest for postseason glory tonight when calm, cool and accolade-collecting Josh Beckett takes the mound tonight to open the 2007 World series against the Colorado Rockies.

Beckett is putting together one of the most impressive postseason resumes in MLB history, continuing his run of dominance that began with a World Series MVP performance in 2003 with the Marlins and could end with a bookend trophy when this series is all done.

In three postseason starts the ace has allowed a mere 13 hits and three runs in 23 innings, and he's fanned an astonishing 26 batters while walking only one during that time. he's simply having one of the best postseasons ever.

His mound opponent will be Rockies "ace" Jeff Francis, a guy who won 17 regular season games this year but had an ERA over 4.00 and who wasn't even in the league when Beckett destroyed the Stanks' title dreams in '03.

Ironically--and I say that because this stat has absolutely no bearing on this game whatsoever, yet analysts and announcers keep pointing to it as a meaningful fact--when these two clubs met back in mid-June at Fenway as part of interleague play, Francis was the winning pitcher while Colorado hung Beckett's first loss of the season on him following 9 consecutive wins in a 7-1 Rockies victory.

In that contest Beckett allowed a grand slam to Garrett Atkins and a solo shot to MVP candidate Matt Holliday as the probable Cy Young winner allowed a season-high six runs on 10 hits in five innings. Francis, meanwhile, threw five innings of shutout ball, scattering 7 hits and holding the scorching Boston lineup in check.

But like I said, that game and that whole series for that matter means nothing when these clubs take the field tonight.

Beckett will be just as focused and determined as he has been all season. Boston, which has clubbed 70 runs in seven postseason games this year, should pick up right where they left off against the Indians on Sunday night, while the rusty Rockies will most definitely feel the effects of an 8-day layoff combined with the blinding glare that comes with being at the center of the international media spotlight.

In other words my money's on the Sox laying the foundation for a second consecutive series sweep as Beckett all but ensures his name will be engraved on another MVP trophy as the Sox win convincingly in Game 1.

NOTES: Jacoby Ellsbury, a 24-year-old kid with just 166 major league at bats, will get the nod to start in Game 1 in place of the slumping/ailing Coco Crisp. Crisp injured his ankle making the game-ending catch in deep center in game 7 against the Indians, and that combined with his putrid .161/2R/2BI postseason performance has led Tito to start the electrifying rookie...rain is forecast for the Greater Boston Area tonight, so we could be in for another lengthy, late-night postseason ballgame if there are any extended weather delays...Francona announced rookie Jon Lester will pitch Game 4 in place of injured starter Tim Wakefield