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Red Sox seek to stop rollicking Rockies

"We don't have the experience, so we don't know any better. So we'll keep playing the way we have been, keep having fun, and we'll see what happens."

Jamey Carroll, Rockies outfielder

The Colorado Rockies arrive in Boston today eager to rekindle the blazing form that saw them streak to the first World Series in franchise history.

The rollicking Rockies have won 21 of 22 games since Sept. 15, including seven in a row since reaching the postseason with a victory over San Diego in a rare one-game playoff.

Colorado swept the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 in the first round, then ousted the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-0 in the National League Championship Series.

At fabled Fenway Park, the Rockies will run into a Boston Red Sox team that has a short but vital streak of its own going.

After falling into a 3-1 hole against the Cleveland Indians in the American League Championship Series (ALCS), the Red Sox won three games in a row to book their World Series berth.

The Red Sox outscored the Indians 30-5 in the last three games.

Boston manager Terry Francona chalked up the turnaround to "a lot of good players doing a lot of special things."

"I think that in games of a huge magnitude, our guys don't get overwhelmed," Francona said. "It doesn't ensure that you're going to win, but it is a good feeling."

As that drama played out, the Rockies had a week to wait and wonder who they would face for Major League Baseball's championship.

While their eight-day layoff sparked fears of a letdown, the Rockies insisted that the magnitude of a first World Series appearance for the franchise founded in 1993 was enough to keep them sharp.

"We're going to the World Series," first baseman Todd Helton said. "It's totally different. The playoffs is one thing. But to actually get to go the World Series ... "

"You always dream," Helton said. "You always hope. You always imagine. But you really don't know how good it is until you get here."

Now that they have arrived, however, the Rockies face a daunting task against a storied franchise that won the five of the first 15 World Series, including the inaugural Fall Classic in 1903.

They hadn't won the World Series since 1918 until a triumph in 2004 ended an 86-year drought.

While the Red Sox boast a wealth of World Series experience, Colorado outfielder Jamey Carroll said a lack of such experience might actually benefit the Rockies.

"We don't have the experience, so we don't know any better," Carroll said. "So we'll keep playing the way we have been, keep having fun, and we'll see what happens. Bottom line is, you have to come out and play baseball, do the little things right."

As well as having history on their side, the Red Sox have Josh Beckett, who has been the best pitcher in this postseason and who is fresh to start Game One.

Beckett, who was prepared to pitch out of the bullpen on Sunday but wasn't needed, was named the Most Valuable Player of the ALCS after winning games one and five and posting a 1.93 ERA.

The Rockies will counter with Canadian lefthander Jeff Francis, who has been superb in two game one starts so far this postseason.

Another Rockies pitcher, Josh Fogg, said he and his teammates wouldn't be thinking about a World Series title when they take the field today, but about winning one game.

"I know it's a cliche, but we really have come out and played just one game at a time," Fogg said. "Whatever happens, happens. You don't worry about anything except today. That's kind of been the MO of this team, and it's worked out well for us so far."
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