One of the most difficult tasks every season is predicting which teams will do well enough throughout the year to earn a spot in the postseason. I had trouble myself predicting the teams from the start of the season that would make it, as I did poorly with my American League and National League predictions. But I’ve done really well so far with my postseason predictions. I had the Cardinals and Red Sox making the World Series and that’s exactly what happened.
A rematch of the 2004 World Series, when the Red Sox swept the Cardinals in four games, this is sure to be one of the best Fall Classics in years. The Red Sox and the Cardinals are very evenly matched and are sure to put on amazing performances throughout the series, which begins on Wednesday night. Both have great pitching staffs, a great lineup and a great bullpen that includes a stellar closer. It will be interesting to watch everything unfold over the coming week or so.
The probable pitchers for games one through seven (five through seven only if necessary*) of the 2013 World Series are as follows:
Game 1: Adam Wainwright (Cardinals) - Jon Lester (Red Sox)
Game 2: Michael Wacha (Cardinals) - Clay Buchholz (Red Sox)
Game 3: Joe Kelly (Cardinals) - John Lackey (Red Sox)
Game 4: Lance Lynn (Cardinals) - Jake Peavy (Red Sox)
Game 5*: Adam Wainwright (Cardinals) - Jon Lester (Red Sox)
Game 6*: Michael Wacha (Cardinals) – Clay Buchholz (Red Sox)
Game 7*: Joe Kelly (Cardinals) - John Lackey (Red Sox)
Keep in mind that those could change, however, based on the way everything seems right now, I have the Cardinals winning the World Series in six games. Here’s the way I have things playing out, along with the reasoning to why I have each team winning each particular game:
My pick to win Game 1: Cardinals
Though the World Series is beginning in Boston, I have the Cardinals winning the first game. Adam Wainwright and Jon Lester are both great pitchers, but in the end I feel the Cardinals will get the better of Lester. This is likely to be the best game of the series, as neither teams wants to give up game one; often the pivotal game of the World Series.
My Pick to win Game 2: Cardinals
At just 22 years old, Michael Wacha has been pitching incredibly as of late. He’s going up against Clay Buchholz in game two, who began the season on a hot streak but has been hit or miss recently. I see Wacha once again pitching the Cardinals to a win, putting the Red Sox behind two games early on.
My pick to win Game 3: Red Sox
I’m predicting a bounce back game for the Red Sox, as although Joe Kelly has been great all year long, John Lackey will likely be a bit better. In addition, if in fact they’re down two games, I see the Red Sox putting on a hitting clinic to win game three. They certainly don’t want fall behind by three games in the World Series.
My pick to win Game 4: Red Sox
Once again pulling off a big win to even the series at two games apiece, the Red Sox are going to win game four in my mind. Jake Peavy is going up against Lance Lynn, and the Red Sox are likely to take their win from the night before into game four, where they’ll continue their streak to beat Lynn and the Cardinals.
My pick to win Game 5*: Cardinals
On the mound once again for the Cardinals will be Adam Wainwright, with Jon Lester going for the Sox. I have Wainwright pitching a gem of a game. The Cardinals will beat Lester and the Red Sox, on a great hitting and pitching performance, putting them a game over Boston, to push the series to 3-2.
My pick to win Game 6*: Cardinals
I feel Michael Wacha is going to pitch the best game of his career in game six. In my mind, this will be the final game of the World Series. Though the Red Sox are likely to put up a great fight, with amazing performances night after night, I feel the Cardinals will once again become World Series Champions. Unfortunately for them, in my mind, it will come in Boston.
Who do you have winning the World Series? In how many games? Let me know . . . .
