2007 American League Championship Series...Game 1

The Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox will play game one of the American League Championship Series tonight at Fenway Park in downtown Boston shortly after 7pm EDT. And the game will feature quite a pitching matchup. It will be CC Sabathia, the Indians lefthander who won 19 games this year, facing Josh "Baseball" Beckett, who won 20 games and is the leading candidate for the Cy Young Award. Sabathia is also a contender for that pitching honor. The weather at Fenway will be dry, with mid-day clearing, and temperatures near or just below 60 at gametime, dipping to the upper 40s and low 50s as the game's end nears. But the biggest factor Mother Nature will provide will be the wind, which will be out of the northwest and range from 15-35 MPH, with higher gusts. It will be blowing from left to right, so anything hit to rightfield might be blown near the vicinity of the Pesky Pole. Outfielders, be aware and then beware! Papi and Manny, hit a couple out! GO SOX! My prediction? The Boston Red Sox will win this prelude to the World Series in 6 games.
I'll say it again....GO SOX!!

Cograts go out to our closer, Jonathon Papelbon. He (37 saves) was named DHL Delivery Man of the Year as best reliever in baseball, as selected by fans online. And he provides a huge edge for the Red Sox, for Borowski, the Indian's closer, is hittable and unpredictable, with an ERA over 5.

To any of my readers going to the game, wear a sweater or jacket, be safe and have loads of fun. For everyone else, including me, who will be watching on Fox and FOXHD, do the same exact thing...be safe and have fun. A whole lot of fun. Some early crooked numbers for the Sox would ensure that mirth. Game 2 will be tomorrow night, at 8:30pm edt, again at magic Fenway Park. Where else? Please click on the title of this post for the Herald's Michael Silverman's complete position by position look at the matchup between the Indians and the Sox. It's an exhaustive analyzation of each facet of the teams, the hitters, the pitchers and the all-important coaches. A must read! Just click on that title, and you're there. And yes, I'm a little nervous, even at 6:30am in the morning. For in a little more than 12 hours and 30 minutes from right now, it's October baseball time, with the team that I love to love. And yes Gerry, you'll have a game to watch tonight! Wear your good luck tie!