Live Blogging the World Series: SOX v. ROX

Alright people, it’s upon us. I think this is one of the most anticipated Fall Classics in quite some time. But let’s take that with a grain of salt, FOX hasn’t been necessarily killing them with the ratings (boy, isn’t Selig glad the Sawks made it this year); but if we take into account the pure baseball aspect of the Series, we have to agree that the Rockies and the Red Sox have written two very interesting subplots.

Of course, there’s the Rox’ unprecedented run of 21 wins in 22 games to end the season and into the post-season. And then there’s the storied Red Sox, with the powerful line-up, the veteran leadership, the experience, the over-priced, over-hyped Japanese import. But I digress.

Well the only bad thing that comes to mind about this year (as in previous years) is the fact that we have to watch it on FOX - and listen to her. And him. I guess life is just full sour apples.

Live-blog thread after the jump.

8:09 G-d, not 4 minutes into the pre-game festivities and Kevin Kenndy’s already ignoring Jeanne Zealsko’s questions.

8:12 Eric Byrnes is trying too damn hard. Dude, we know you caused a stir on the booth, but we please, contain yourself.

Jeanne Zelasko doing a Taco Bell promo. Figures.

8:15 Starting line-ups:

8:22 Hmm… it’s raining… So what happens if (when) a Live-Blog gets rained out?…

8:24 Jon Stewart and Jake Gyllenhaal discussing the Green Monster (I switched to Comedy Central for a minute): “It’s sliiimey.”

8:32 Man can this pre-game crap take any longer?

8:35 Alright, before we begin, my Pick to Click iiisss… Kaz Matsui. You better believe it.

8:40 Taveras strikes out looking to start the game. Hmm, the Ump has set a wide strike zone.

8:44 Whereas Beckett kept the Angels off balance with curveballs, the Rox have seen nothing but 96 mph heaters to start the game (and strike out the side). We’ll see if good ol’ uncle Charlie makes a cameo in the third or fourth inning.

8:48 Pedroia goes deep to lead off the bottom of the first! I guess I ought to eat some crow, eh Sarah?

8:59 Is it me, or are the Red Sox opening the flood gates on Francis?

9:01 Not quite, but a crooked number goes up on that board. 3-0 Sox. Welcome to the World Series, Rox fans.

9:04 And of course, Julio Lugo kills the rally.

9:12 The jitter bugs are gone. Here come the Rox. Tulowitzki doubles in a run off of the Green Monstah. Though I must say, now that the Rockies are on to Beckett’s fastball, the curveball has to be around the corner.

9:19 Francis seems to be finding a groove. We might have ourselves a game if he can keep the Sox from scoring in the next two innings.

9:25 “How do you let Youkulis score from first base,” says the brother, “he’s a fatass.” All this on a double from Big Papi that went all the way to the wall after barely getting over Tulowitzki. So much for Francis keeping them off the board.

9:29 Lowell pops out to short right-field to end yet another Red Sox threat. And we only have 2 innings in the books. With that said, a 4-1 lead is no unsurmountable. I’ll be damned if Beckett doesn’t throw some off-speed stuff in the dirt.

9:33 Spilborgh lines-out to second, but Beckett threw all fastballs.

9:35 Another one to Taveras. He hits on the button but Manny (barely) runs it down.

9:36 And yet another one to Matsui. He pops out to short. Well I guess if the Rockies won’t hit ‘em, keep at it.

9:42 Once again, Francis threatens to settle down. With Lugo at the plate and two outs, he may have his first 1-2-3 inning.

9:43 Man, Lugo will let you down even when you expect him to fail! He gets on base with a bunt single.

9:52 I thought I was going to get away with not missing out on some action (my roomate demands we alternate between the game and Private Practice). But Helton just doubled to left (thanks Yahoo! GameChannel!). Rox threaten once again. I just switched back and Atkins strikes out on … wait for it… a curve ball.

9:56 That last pitch to Hawpe is why Beckett’s ought to be the Cy-Young. Just when he sensed the Rockies were catching to his heater, Beckett mixes in his curve. Only to come back with a 97 mph rope to strike out Hawpe.

10:04 Francis can’t catch a break. Two outs, but Papi at the plate. Sure enough, he singles to left.

10:08 Manny doubles to right, but Papi doesn’t score. I’m sensing Hurdle’s gonna give him the hook.

10:11 I just noticed the Red Sox bullpen and their rally, uhm, drums. What are the using to bang on the roof of the pen?

10:13 Francis should’ve been pulled. Varitek doubles down the line, two runs score.

10:14 Hurdle opts to let Francis hang out to dry. “He just gave up on game one,” says the brother.

10:21 Should’ve been a 1-2-3 inning for Beckett. That second-to-last pitch to Spilborgh looked like it was on the black.

10:34 Morales’ unique throw to first turns out to be illegal: Balk! Tim McCarver: “Does America get a free taco now? Not on a balk?” Where was Jeanne Zelasko?! I’m dreading the seventh when we break to go back to the studio…

10:38 Youkilis doubles to left. Papi doubles to right-center. Red Sox: En la zona, 8-1.

10:39 Stat of the night, the Red Sox have outscored their opponents 38-6 in the last four games.

10:41 Manny singles and the flood gates have opened. Ride it out Rox fans, it’s only game 1.

10:45 So with Lowell’s double, the Sawks have tied some kind of World Series record.

10:46 With nothing else but to watch their team cruise, the Red Sox pen is doing their best impression of Stomp!. I could see that happening: The Bullpen Musical.

10:57 In less than ten minutes the score has ballooned to 12-1. I have to point out that Buck made that same “These are not your father’s Rockies” comment that the TBS people made. I’m freakin’ older than the damn team. C’mon!

11:08 Matsui beats out the throw to first. Come back? </sarcasm>

11:24 Can’t say I’m expecting much from now until the end. The Red Sox are up 13-1 and the Rockies can’t figure out Beckett.

11:34 Though he won’t get the complete game, Beckett’s one strike away from having a dominating performance in game 1 of this World Series. Yawn.

11:36 Seventh inning stretch. Ashanti does “God Bless America.” Is she wearing Alyssa Milano?

11:45 Two more frames to go. I’m still here. I can’t say I’m surprised at the outcome of the game so far. As in game 1 of the ALDS, the Red Sox let Beckett do the maneuvering, using his 96+ mph fastball to set the stage. The Rox were not ready for it. And in the middle innings, his curveball took over. With the score 13-1, Francona can let him rest after a very good seven innings of work.

12:00 Midnight. Coco Crisp is mos def rocking the fro.

12:05 Eric Gagne is unceremoniously getting his cut of the action. Ironic how life is, when he was on the top of his game, he didn’t even sniff the playoffs.

12:09 That’s it! Sox win in dominating fashion.

So, like I said Rox fans, don’t sweat it. We know you’re God’s team and all, but you can’t be ready for your first World Series. Just don’t go get swept or something, I kinda wanna blog game 5 or 6… even 7, you know, it’s the Holy number.

Anyway, thanks for reading! I’m out…