Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Predictions For The 2013 World Series - Daniel Burch


The World Series starts tonight and I wanted to take the time to make my yearly predictions, which will end up being totally wrong if history is any indicator, on who will win the Fall Classic. This World Series, which will make FOX certainly very happy, has the makings of living up to the name fall classic. It has the potential to have a little bit of everything. The Cardinals have the young power arms that seemingly excite everyone, casual fans to hardcore fans, with Michael Wacha and Trevor Rosenthal leading the way. Both teams have shut down closers who can come in an dominate for more than an inning at a time, both teams have great offenses and can both explode for an inning or a game at a time, and both teams are as closely matched as we have seen in recent World Series. This is the kind of series where these teams will trade punches until the final bell sounds when Game 7 is over.

Game 1: at Boston, Wednesday, October 23rd 8:07 pm EST

Adam Wainwright (19-9, 2.94 ERA) vs. Jon Lester (15-8, 3.75 ERA)

In a pitcher's duel for the ages to start the World Series you have to remember one thing, Jon Lester pitches his ass off in Fenway Park. The crowd will be deafening, not that it will affect Adam Wainwright as much as it will the young batters in the Cardinals lineup, and Lester is tough anywhere he pitches. This is not going to be one of those sexy games that chicks love, long balls and all, as I see the Red Sox winning this game 3-1.

Red Sox lead World Series 1-0




Game 2: at Boston, Thursday, October 24th 8:07 pm EST

Michael Wacha (4-1, 2.78 ERA) vs. John Lackey (10-13, 3.52 ERA)

Michael Wacha does not strike me as a guy that will let nerves get him down or let him get rattled, even if it is his first World Series start in his young career, on the road, in Fenway, in front of millions of eyes. The Boston crowd and players will be pumped but by the 5th or 6th inning I can see Fenway and their faithful scratching their heads as the Red Sox players on the field scratch their beards trying to figure out Wacha. Another close one, another boring one, but a Cardinals victory ties the series as it shifts to St. Louis. Cardinals win 4-2.

Red Sox and Cardinals tied World Series at 1-1

Game 3: at St. Louis, Saturday, October 26th 8:07 pm EST

Clay Buchholz (12-1, 1.74 ERA) vs. Joe Kelly (10-5, 2.69 ERA)

This is where the Cardinals take advantage of their home crowd and their home ball park and stick it to the Boston Red Sox. The pitching match up looks sexy and Carlos Babe Beltran will continue to come up big in a 6-3 Cardinals victory. While Buchholz looks good on paper his velocity is down and he cannot hit a lick and I think he will make two or three too many mistakes in the loss.

Cardinals lead World Series 2-1

Game 4: at St. Louis, Sunday October 27th 8:07 pm  EST

Jake Peavy (12-5, 4.17 ERA) vs. Lance Lynn (15-10, 3.97 ERA)

The Cardinals bats will finally wake up and explode in this game as Jake Peavy and his 21.00 something ERA come to shine it's ugly head. The Cardinals will jump on the backs of Matt Adams, Allen Craig, David Freese, Carlos Beltran, etc in route to a 8-4 victory and a commanding lead in this World Series.

Cardinals lead World Series 3-1




Game 5: at St. Louis, Monday October 28th 8:07 pm EST

Adam Wainwright (19-9, 2.94 ERA) vs. Jon Lester (15-8, 3.75 ERA)

In a rematch of Game 1 with the two dueling aces on the mound, the Cardinals at home, and Wainwright on the mound it seems like fate for St. Louis right? Wrong. While Wainwright pitches well again he becomes a tough luck loser again as the Cardinals should have saved some runs from Game 4 as they take the loss 5-1. 

Cardinals lead World Series 3-2.

Games 6: at Boston, Wednesday Oct 30 8:07 pm EST

Michael Wacha (4-1, 2.78 ERA) vs. John Lackey (10-13, 3.52 ERA)

Michael Wacha with his nerves of steel back in Fenway and back in the World Series spotlight where he made himself a household name just a few games ago, seems like fate again right? Nope. The Red Sox bats are against the wall and they refuse to lose this thing at home at the big bats come out and destroy the Cardinals bullpen. Wacha pitches well into the 6th but leaves after working into some trouble and the bullpen blows it. Red Sox win 9-4 to even the series and send this thing to everyone's dream, a Game 7 of the World Series

Cardinals and Red Sox tied World Series at 3-3

Games 7: at Boston, Thursday Oct 31 8:07 pm EST

Clay Buchholz (12-1, 1.74 ERA) vs. Joe Kelly (10-5, 2.69 ERA)

Joe Kelly starts this game but I think ultimately we see Adam Wainwright make an appearance and get a chance to redeem himself. The Cardinals will be down early, the crowd in Fenway will be electric, and St. Louis will go to Wainwright in relief on just two days rest. The Cardinals, led by none other than Carlos Beltran, will lead a comeback in the 8th inning to put them up before the Red Sox can turn to Koji Uehara. Rosenthal will close it down and the Cardinals will celebrate their World Series championship in Boston and I will enjoy watching the beards, the fans, and everyone else cry as the Duck Dynasty boys lose it in seven. 

Cardinals win World Series 4-3



Good luck to both teams... but extra good luck to the team that is not the Boston Red Sox. Watch Game 1 tonight on Fox at 8:00 pm ET with Adam Wainwright, my preseason pick for the NL Cy Young Award, for the Cardinals taking on Jon Lester for the Red Sox. #YankeesFansForTheCardinals.

1 comment:

  1. Well besides the score I had game 1 correct. Crowd and Lester was too much for the young cardinals

    ReplyDelete

Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)