The Colorado Rockies came into the World Series riding a huge wave of momentum, winning 21 out 22 games. But they ran into Josh Beckett and the Red Sox at Fenway Park in Game 1, and the bats never got going in Game 2. Now that the Rockies have been grounded can they compete with the Sox and make this a series or are the Sox too much for this young team?

The Red Sox absolutely destroyed the Rockies 13-1 in Game 1, including a devastating seven-run fifth inning. The Red Sox continued their success after facing the brink of elimination, down 3-1 to the
Cleveland Indians, and seem to the hotter of the two teams. Beckett only gave up one run to the Rockies' high-octane offense and struck out nine. The Sox also pounded 17 hits, nine going for extra bases, and scored 11 of their runs with two outs.

The Rockies had not lost a playoff game until Game 1 after waiting eight days to play the Red Sox. Fortunately, the Rockies have at least two more games to try to regain the energy they possessed in their first seven playoff games.

The Rockies are a very young team and were obviously overwhelmed in the franchise's first World Series game. This was evident when starting pitcher Jeff Francis gave up a home run on his second pitch of the game. Game 2 saw the pitching fall into place, but the offense once again struggled. If the Rockies can regain their confidence and find their swagger again, they may be able to contend in this series. Coors field is a legitimate home-field advantage, and with the Red Sox forced to play an abysmal defensive team in the spacey confines of the Rockies’ home park, anything can happen upon a return to Denver.

The offense needs to start with Matt Holiday, who went hitless in Game 1 with two strike outs. But when the bats get it going, this offense really knows how to get on base and put up runs. The Rockies have seven hitters in their line-up who batted .290 or better during the regular season. This team can move its base runners and will need to get a lot of production if it wants to hang around with the big bats from Boston.

Obviously the Red Sox will need to continue what they have been doing in their last five games, and that is to rely on their big bats and have big-time performances from their pitchers. The Red Sox went 11-for-15 to start the game last night. After struggling in their three straight loses to the Indians, the Sox have been punishing their opposition. They posted 30 runs in their three straight victories over Cleveland and continued to swing the bats early in their series with Colorado.
    
Starting with Beckett this pitching rotation has been untouchable.
The Sox starters have only given up seven runs in the past five games. With Matsuzaka coming up next and then the possible return of Beckett in Game 4 to close things out, the Red Sox are going to be tough to score on during this series. The Boston bullpen has also proved to have bounced back after giving up seven runs in the 11th inning in Game 2 of the ALCS. Even Eric Gagne has been playing well; he helped seal Game 1 by not allowing a hit in the final inning.
    
I expect that the Red Sox will handle the Rockies quite easily because the Sox have too many weapons and they seem to be coming together after they stared down the barrel of elimination in their last series.
They have too much confidence and have shown time after time they can't be rattled even when they are facing great adversity. The
Rockies seem to be in awe of their miraculous run they have made to be in the position they are in and are really showing their youth. They will need to regroup, settle down, and play like they know they are capable of and put some pressure on the Sox. Look for the Rockies to win two games at home and get to revel in the excitement their hometown crowd will bring in the refreshing Rocky Mountain air, but in the end, the Sox will prove to be too talented for this streaky young team to handle.