With the arrival of the cool, autumn air, baseball fans are starting to have only one thing on their minds: the World Series.
After a spring and summer’s worth of playing baseball, analysts and experts are starting to mark down their World Series picks, so I’ll do the same. In its 109th edition, the 2013 World Series will be won by the Boston Red Sox after they take out the Pittsburgh Pirates in six games to become the first team of the 21st century to win three world championships.
Both Boston and Pittsburgh host some of the oldest teams in the league. These two historic franchises featured some of the most iconic players in baseball history. Honus Wagner, Ted Williams, Roberto Clemente and Carl Yastrzemski are only a few of the names of great ball-players who called either Boston or Pittsburgh home. Both teams have recent playoff droughts, although Pittsburgh’s is more severe than the mere three years it’s been since the Red Sox have seen postseason play.
The Pirates will come into the playoffs with one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. Their team earned run average ranks second in all of baseball as of Sept. 17. Pitching wins in October. Like a strong defense in either the NFL or NHL, a strong pitching staff can lead an abysmal offense to a championship — just ask the 2010 and 2012 champion San Francisco Giants.
Boston’s pitching staff should not be taken lightly, either. Although they have had their ups and downs, Boston now sports one of the best four-man rotations in the Bigs in Jon Lester, Clay Bucholz, John Lackey and Jake Peavy. With all this pitching, don’t look forward to high-scoring games.
Offensively, the Red Sox have a clear edge. As of Sept. 17, Boston ranks first in the MLB in runs scored with 791; second in team batting average at .276; and first in slugging at .445. The Pirates rank 22nd, 24th and 18th in those same stats, respectively.
The Red Sox have shown time and time again that they do not stop scoring runs until the last out is made against them. Their timely hitting and no-die attitude will give them an edge in this tight matchup. Though Pittsburgh features a potential National League MVP in center fielder Andrew McCutchen and power in the middle of the lineup with slugging third baseman Pedro Alvarez, they will find it tough to keep up with the Red Sox offensively.
I have this series going six games due to the fact that these teams are so closely matched with one another. If my prediction is correct, the Red Sox will win the World Series trophy at home, something that they did not do in either 2004 or 2007.
As for World Series MVP, Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli will end up bringing home the award. The bearded slugger will produce power in the middle of the lineup that is sorely needed to protect both second baseman Dustin Pedroia and designated hitter David Ortiz. Throw in a few booming home runs over the Green Monster, and Mike Napoli has clearly shown he’s worth the $13 million owed to him this year.
This World Series will be defined by strong pitching, great defense and clutch hitting. When push comes to shove, “Boston Strong” should shine through and win it all. Although Pittsburgh is no cakewalk, I cannot see a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 1992 winning it all in their first year back. Nevertheless, it will be an exciting series that any fan of America’s pastime can enjoy.