Yes.
The Rockies have been more amazing than, well, the '69 Mets.
Soothsayers predict they'll finally crumble in the 2007 World Series, though.
Boston advanced to late-season playdates with National League pennant winner Colorado by virtue of a comeback from 3-1down versus AL Central Division champ Cleveland.
Colorado swept both Philadelphia and Arizona en route to its incredible postseason drive and franchise's first-ever Fall Classic.
Boston, which won the 2004 World Series, opened as a big favorite to win both Game 1 and the best-of-seven meeting.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants Sunday night sent Boston out as a minus $2.00 favorite to win the series and the number quickly shot to minus $2.30.
LVSC oddsmaker Ken White cites the fact that Vegas bet shops seriously need Boston to prevail as a good excuse to wager on Colorado for those with a grudge against bookmakers.
';Every book in Las Vegas needs the Red Sox,'; White said.
';We opened Boston at minus $2.00 (to win the best-of-seven showdown) and it went to minus $2.30.
';We opened conservatively because if it goes too high, money will start coming back on Colorado.
';Boston was one of the favorites all season. You don't lose a lot of money on favorites.';
The Rockies are another story.
';We sent them (futures) out at 75/1,'; White said. ';I heard a couple books had them as high as 300/1 at one point.';
The Fall Classic opens Wednesday at Fenway Park with Red Sox ace Josh Beckett facing Colorado lefty Jeff Francis.
';Francis is going to have his work cut out in Game 1, especially being a lefty,'; White observed. ';You have that short porch in left and I can just see doubles bouncing off the wall.';
The oddsmaker believes Colorado's nine-day layoff definitely will work against the Rockies, an argument with which a pair of Professional Handicappers League members totally concur.
';That's a big advantage for Boston,'; White said.
';Francis hasn't pitched since Oct. 11 and there's no way he can be sharp.
';He'll need time to loosen up.';
East Coast PHL sports analyst Bill Fishman dittos that an extended vacation might have been more enjoyable for the Rockies spent hanging out at a Tropics spa than spinning wheels in snow of the type that blanketed the Mile High City on Sunday.
';The layoff will hurt the Rockies,'; Fishman echoed.
';They've had over a week to get ready for their opponent.
';They will make it entertaining, but the Sox win easily.
';They would've given the Tribe a decent showing and had a chance to win, though.';
The Midwest's Jimmy Boyd, Fishman's PHL associate, agrees with ';Fish'; as well as Las Vegas' official oddsmaker that Boston's seasoning is a main ingredient in what makes the Red Sox hot.
';Boston is the more experienced club,'; Boyd said.
';With homefield advantage and two games with Josh Beckett on the hill, one has to think the Red Sox will prove victorious.
';To pick Colorado in this series, one would be picking on the hope that Colorado stayed hot and that's it.
';Boston has them in every area.
';Even with that being said, this series is likely closer than expected.
';I say Boston in six.';
White gives pitching and offensives nods to the Red Sox, but tosses the Rockies a defensive bone.
';One thing I found interesting about the Red Sox is the ALCS marked the first time all year their three starters (Beckett, Curt Schilling and Dice-K) were pulled back-to-back-to-back before they finished the fifth inning.,'; he said.
';Colorado has it together defensively.
';They also have games at home in which Boston gets no DH.
';I don't think the DH rule will hurt Colorado.
';They can take somebody off the bench to hit for the pitcher at Fenway, but Boston can't use the DH in Colorado.';
White acknowledgeds both league reps have Big Mo going for them.
';They both have momentum, but it's hard to carry over momentum, especially after a layoff,'; White observed.
';I think a better phrase is 'great chemistry.'
';Both of these clubs have solid chemistry, but I think if you're talking talent, you have to go with the Red Sox.';
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-hnYMpcM2e鈥?/a>Is everyone going to watch my Sox rock the house on Wednesday..?
Well I will be watching as soon as I get back from work...I can't wait for this series to start...Go Sox!
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