Indians will erase Red Sox in seven games
Can the Cleveland Indians make it three in a row?
The last two American League teams to play in the World Series came out of the American League Central. The White Sox swept the Houston Astros in 2005. Last season, the favored Detroit Tigers fell to the St. Louis Cardinals in five games.
This year, the Indians rolled over the New York Yankees in the division series in four games, while the Boston Red Sox swept the Los Angeles Angels.
It should be an outstanding series, and let's give it to Cleveland in seven games.
Here's why:
One-two punch: Josh Beckett, who starts for the Red Sox tonight in Game 1, obviously enjoys pitching in October.
In his last 2 postseason starts, Beckett has thrown complete-game shutouts. The most recent came against the Angels in Game 1 of the ALDS. Prior to that, Beckett clinched the 2003 World Series for the Florida Marlins with a wire-to-wire gem in Game 6 against the New York Yankees.
Beckett is a horse, but he has to deal with Indians ace C.C. Sabathia tonight. And the Indians have Fausto Carmona (19-8, 3.06 ERA) ready for Game 2.
Size it up: This series features great pitchers, proven clutch hitters and loads of depth.
But if there is one special player, it's Cleveland's Grady Sizemore. The past two seasons, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has heaped unsolicited praise on the gifted center fielder.
Watch this series and see why.
Stay hot: If Boston hopes to win the World Series for the second time in four years, David Ortiz will have to do some heavy lifting.
In the ALDS, "Big Papi'' looked like he's up for the challenge while going 5-for-7 with a home run, 2 RBI and 6 walks.
Long time coming: It doesn't come close to matching the Cubs' 99-year run of futility, but Cleveland hasn't won the World Series since 1948 under player-manager Lou Boudreau.
If the Indians do take down Boston and then either Colorado or Arizona in the Fall Classic, maybe their cranky fans will finally stop booing Jim Thome.
Role model: Fausto Carmona failed as a closer for the Indians last season, but he has blossomed into one of the top starting pitchers in baseball this year.
He can give credit to White Sox starter Jon Garland. Pitching with a similar style while relying on his sinkerball, Carmona prepared for his new role by watching video of Garland at work.