2013 World Series Preview: Boston Red Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals in Classic Matchup

As Halloween draws ever closer, the time has arrived to discuss the annual “Fall Classic”, better known as the World Series of baseball.  This year’s series will bring together two of the most historically prestigious Major League Baseball teams, who have both won multiple championships in the last decade.  Bringing experience and top quality to the big matchup, this could be a World Series for the ages!

The St. Louis Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox finished the season tied for the best record with a 97-65 mark.  For the Cardinals, such a result was basically expected.  They have been one of the most exciting teams in baseball over the last few seasons.  In the 2011 World Series, the Cardinals won an incredible Game 6 in which they were facing final pitches on several occasions, but always managed to deliver.  They would win the Series in Game 7.  Last season, in the final NLDS Game 5, the Cardinals were down 6-0 before a stunning rally to win the game in the 9^th inning.  They progressed to the NLCS where they were beaten by the San Francisco Giants, but the Cardinals have proven that they can be toughest team to close out.  Heroes like David Freese, Carlos Beltran, Matt Holliday, Allen Craig, and Matt Carpenter repeatedly make the plays to save the day!

But the Boston Red Sox also have a marvelous history of comebacks.  Who could ever forget their 2004 ALCS against the New York Yankees when they overcame a 3-0 deficit to beat their heated rivals in 7 games?  They would go on to sweep St. Louis in the World Series, winning their first title since 1918, back when Babe Ruth was still a pitcher.

The Red Sox would then win another championship in 2007.  And although we are several years removed from those heroics, several current players took part in that 2007 season; Clay Buchholz, John Lester, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, and Jacoby Ellsbury.  The Red Sox may have had their disappointments in the last several years, missing the playoffs, dealing with aging veterans, and even having scandals regarding their pitchers drinking beer in the dugout during days off, but this season has seen a team rekindle the passion and desire so often associated with the Red Sox.  Big Papi is swinging strongly again and the beards are back on full display!

While both teams have had marvelous years, they have both been challenged since day 1 within their divisions.  The Cincinnati Reds and the surprising Pittsburgh Pirates made life challenging for the Cardinals, and the Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, and even the lowly Yankees pushed the Red Sox to the brink.  Nevertheless, both these clubs persevered through their challenges and rose to the top, fully earning their success with gritty wins and pulling through in clutch moments.

So how can a humble writer go about predicting the winner of this series?  The only thing I feel I can accurately call is that this could be the most entertaining and evenly matched World Series in years.  These teams are basically carbon copies of one another.  Both teams have great hitters that can put away home runs, and both teams have some excellent arms capable of dominating lineups.  Both teams have ravenous fan bases, fully capable of carrying their teams to unprecedented heights.  Both teams are fully loaded with championship-winning heroes.  This is quite clearly the most fully deserving teams in baseball to find themselves competing for a championship.  The World Series could be won on the rare error or stolen base.  Who will blink first?  I expect this series to go the full 7 games, but that the Boston Red Sox will win it all because they have home-field advantage.  That’s the only difference I can see in these teams!

This will be an exciting World Series as the Cardinals will be going for revenge!  No matter which team wins, we will have the first collectibles commemorating the winning team.  Our collectibles will show some of the highlights of the series, the series MVP, celebrations, and more.  These great collectibles will be officially licensed by the MLB.  Visit us at www.AAASportsMemorabilia.com to check them out!  For those fans whose team did not make it to the World Series, we have collectibles for your team also!

With MLB Trade Deadline Approaching, Who is Ready to Contend for the 2013 World Series?

The MLB trade deadline is just several days away so contending baseball teams are scrambling in order to get that final piece of the roster puzzle that will help them contend for the 2013 World Series.  However, even with all the trades, there is still a realization that this is pretty much the team you’ve got, and how the season will pan out depends largely on the players already on the roster.  Several teams have come together in the last few weeks and should figure to contend this year.  Here are my 5 World Series favorites:

1.  Boston Red Sox – The team is currently ahead of the jam-packed AL East, and will be in a dogfight for their post-season lives, but the Red Sox are starting to play with passion.  As anyone who witnessed David Ortiz attack a dugout telephone can attest to, the madness sprung a surge, and Ortiz went 4-4 the next day.  Additionally, the Red Sox have solid hitters in Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and decent pitching.  Jon Lester and John Lackey are formidable while if the injured Clay Buchholz can return and build off of his 1.71 ERA before his injury, the Red Sox may just have all the ingredients for a World Series run.

2.  Los AngelesDodgers – This team has all the talent and is getting really hot.  Since early June they are 26-6, while bats have come alive and pitching has been incredible.  Yasiel Puig injected a bit of passion into this team, while other hitters like Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez have also worked magic.  With a starting pitching tandem of Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers are the best team in the league.  Will they keep up the heat through October and win the World Series?  Perhaps, but there will certainly be more tests along the way!

3.  Detroit Tigers – Although the Cleveland Indians are breathing down their necks in the AL Central, the Tigers are the premier team in this division as usual.  Miguel Cabrera is one of the league’s best hitters and is already approaching 100 RBI on the season.  Other hitters like Prince Fielder, Torii Hunter, and Johnny Peralta add both power and consistency to the lineup.  Pitcher Max Scherzer is having an incredible year while Justin Verlander has also been dominant.  The Tigers are built to win now, and will be quite hungry come the MLB Playoffs.

4.  Tampa Bay Rays – Not supposed to be anything special, the Rays are on the move.  With players emerging from all over the place to produce, the team is hot on the Red Sox’s AL East heels and could nab the division or a wildcard spot.  Their team doesn’t look special, but players like Matt Moore, David Price, James Loney, and Kelly Johnson are producing and giving the team wins.  Youngster Wil Myers has been superb, and suddenly the Rays are back in contention.  They could claim this division and do more if Evan Longoria can re-discover his bat!

5.  St. LouisCardinals – One of the most successful teams in recent years, the Cardinals are facing a tough race against the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds in the competitive NL Central.  I presume that the Cardinals will edge out through their recent experience and October heroics.  The team is loaded with unspectacular and unflashy, yet very talented players.  Their hitting power from Yadier Molina, Carlos Beltran, and Allen Craig is formidable while their stable of pitchers is great top to bottom and features Adam Wainwright, Lance Lynn, and newcomer Shelby Miller.  The Cardinals have been regulars in recent MLB Postseasons, and I expect them to be another team fully capable of lifting the 2013 World Series.

 

Doesnt' matter which team you are rooting for, AAA Sports Memorabilia has a collectible for you.  We have one of the largest authentic autographed sports memorabilia collections on the Internet and each item is looking for a new home.  Our autographed collectibles include a lifetime guarantee from the most trusted companies in the industry.  We also carry display cases with options to include UV Protection to protect your autograph collectible.  New items are added almost daily so check back often to see what is new.