Posted on 10/11/2005 4:38:25 PM PDT by doug from upland
Rest, health favor White Sox
By Jim Caple ESPN.com Archive
Why Chicago could win: Who said the White Sox were choking down the stretch? Chicago is on a roll, winning eight of its final 10 regular-season games and then sweeping the Red Sox in the division series. The White Sox haven't lost in two weeks. Evidently, they led the league in wins and ERA for a reason.
Why Anaheim could win: Sure, the Angels are tired, but they still have a deep bullpen and enough depth in the rotation to rebound if they can get by the first two games. And hey, they beat the Yankees without an RBI from Vladimir Guerrero and only two runs from Chone Figgins. They'll be dangerous if those guys get going.
Early innings: The Angels led the league in quality starts, but Anaheim's rotation is severely depleted from the division series -- Bartolo Colon is questionable, Jarrod Washburn is sick and John Lackey was used on short rest Sunday. The White Sox, meanwhile, were second in quality starts. Game 1 starter Jose Contreras has lost only two starts since July 2.
Late innings: The White Sox showed how good their bullpen can be in the division series, with Neal Cotts and Cliff Politte providing excellent setup work. Rookie Bobby Jenks also passed his first tests with some impressive outings against the Red Sox (including a two-inning, scoreless outing in Game 2). The question is: Can he keep it up? The Angels' 'pen is even better with Kelvim Escobar in the middle and the dominating K-Rod at the end, though they may need Ervin Santana in the rotation if Colon isn't ready.
Style points: There are better offenses than Chicago's, but the White Sox can run and also go yard (200 home runs, including nine players in double digits). The White Sox also know how to win the close ones -- they went 35-18 in one-run games and 61-33 in games decided by two runs or less during the regular season, then won two more nail-biters against Boston. The Angels are even greater practitioners of little ball, running, bunting and playing exceptional defense. That can make a difference in close games, but they'll need Vlad's bat to do something to make it matter more.
Head-on: The Angels took six of the 10 meetings, with Lackey winning two and holding Chicago to six runs in 21 innings. Jon Garland had two losses.
Nagging injuries: Colon is questionable -- he's been bothered by a sore back for several weeks and he left Monday's game in the second inning with an inflamed right shoulder. Washburn has been bothered by a sore elbow and missed his scheduled Game 4 start because of strep throat. Scott Podsednik missed time with groin trouble during the season and his stolen base success has been down considerably since his return.
X-Factor: The White Sox have had three days to rest and get their rotation in order. The Angels, meanwhile, flew into Chicago on Tuesday morning after essentially sleeping on a plane for the second night in a row. Their rotation will be on fumes if Washburn isn't back.
Writer's block: This series would be tough to call except the Angels are starting off at too much of a disadvantage with the way the division series went. White Sox will reach their first World Series since Julio Franco was in diapers.
Prediction: White Sox in 6
Jim Caple is a senior writer at ESPN.com. His first book, "The Devil Wears Pinstripes," was published by Plume. It can be ordered through his Web site, Jimcaple.com.
Not to take anything away from Chicago, but sweeping the Redsox was no great feat.
maybe, but then again, they have a stable of players who haven't been in this spot in the playoffs yet and they WILL be chomping at the bit to get it on.
Sometimes having several days off like they did can dull the blade. Not saying that it will happen, but if the Angels can get it past 5 games or so, it will be interesting....
(Sob, sniffle) Well THAT hurt...
Several years ago, a vastly undermanned Dodger team beat the dreaded Oakland A's. Anything can happen in a short series. Surprising sports heroes step forward in October.
Will someone photoshop Hillary with a Sox hat and Angels jersey?
LAANGELS +170
WHITE SOX -200
Big favorites...
They're overdue.
My bet:
4933478 1/22/2005 4:19:00 AM STRAIGHT WAGER [7] HOUSTON ASTROS +1700
130.00 2210.00
4933479 1/22/2005 4:19:19 AM STRAIGHT WAGER [13] HOUSTON ASTROS +4000
110.00 4400.00
1st is Astros to win NL, 2nd is Astros to win W.S....
Maybe the Angels don't know they are supposed to lose. Anything can happen in sports. This is not like a high school team playing a professional team. Either team can win.
Living in New York as I do, I can honestly say I'm not surprised the Yankees and Red Sox lost. The honest truth is that the ChiSox and Angels are better balanced teams. Both have great pitching staffs and both can hit. The Angels really impress the hell out of me as a team of ballplayers who play hardball like it ought to be played.
Unlike other New Yorkers, the baseball season isn't over for me. I like the ChiSox in 6 tough games and I'll watch them all. The ghost of Shoeless Joe will be heard from.
None of my fave teams made it, so I'm gonna have to pull for Clemens and the 'stros!!
The Angels win Game 1. I guess they didn't read the pundits who predicted they'd lose.
And lose Game 2.
What happened there?
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