WS Game 1: Francis v. Beckett

It occurred to me last night that I have a grave responsibility. There's a distinct possibility that no one, or at least no one in the blogosphere, has watched as much collective Red Sox-Rockies baseball as me. I logged 120+ Boston games this season and roughly half of the Colorado schedule. I spent many, many nights witnessing both the Red Sox contest back East at 5 pm, followed by the Rockies playing an NL West opponent at either 7 or 8.

Am I the most qualified individual for this post? I was quite possibly the worst baseball player in America during my Little League career. But I am certified by the BCS computers as the 1216th-best sports blogger on the StubTubes, so you're in good hands. So buckle up and witness the reckless mediocrity that is the House of Georges' Game One Gangbang...

First things first, this game may not take place until tomorrow. Or at least not conclude until tomorrow. There's a good amount of rain in the forecast, and when Fenway was erected in 1912 the retractable dome was not yet in fashion. So expect showers, delays and wetness aplenty.

No one knows how much precipitation will affect the Game One starters. Josh Beckett has been blister prone during his career, but this season he's had no issues (it was an avulsion, you hear me?). Regardless, for a guy who relies on grip so much, especially on that jaw-dropping deuce, moisture may affect his dominance.

Francis grew up in British Columbia, where it rains a lot. Also, i hear that Canadian dudes really like handling sopping wet balls. So there you have it.

I have not seen lineups announced yet, but if I were a dumb manager this is what I would do:

COLORADO

1. Matsui(B) 2B
2. Tulowitzki (R) SS
3. Holliday (R) LF
4. Helton (L) 1B
5. Atkins (R) 3B
6. Hawpe (L) DH
7. Spilborghs (R) RF
8. Torrealba (R) C
9. Tavares (R) CF

BOSTON

1. Pedroia (R) 2B
2. Youkilis (R) 1B
3. Ortiz (L) DH
4. Ramirez (R) LF
5. Lowell (R) 3B
6. Drew (L) RF
7. Varitek (B) C
8. Ellsbury (L) CF
9. Lugo (R) SS

I think moving Tulo to the 2-spot makes the Rockies more dangerous, and after you go once through the order you still get the 1-2 punch of Tavares and Matsui. As for the Red Sox, the temptation's always there to get the speed of Ellsbury into the top of the order. But you simply can't mess with the success of Pedroia and Yook up there, especially against the lefty Francis.

By the way, Jeff Francis is still the only pro athlete ever with the name "Francis" that has not been dubbed "Franchise." And let's hope it stays that way, it's a lame, lame nickname.

Update: The actual lineups are out, via the Boston Globe...

Rockies

1. Willy Taveras, CF
2. Kaz Matsui, 2B
3. Matt Holliday, LF
4. Todd Helton, 1B
5. Garrett Atkins, 3B
6. Brad Hawpe, RF
7. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
8. Yorvit Torrealba, C
9. Ryan Spilborghs, DH

Red Sox

1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
2. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. Jason Varitek, C
7. J.D. Drew, RF
8. Julio Lugo, SS
9. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF