Christopher James: 

The World Series, by Chris James

Either Pedro gets his ring or Walker gets his.
I like both of them.
They both suffered Montreal.
Neither demanded a trade.

Pedro does not look like old Pedro, but he can still come up big.
Schilling is a Frankenstein.  You don’t screw with a Frankenstein.
I like Arroyo now, and Lowe, and Wakefield out of the pen.
And Manny is friggin’ beyond due.

I like St. Louis a lot too.
Their offence is a miracle.
Like Boston, they do not give up.
But unlike Boston, they have not suffered enough as a group.
Pujols will have many more chances.
And I don’t like their pitching.
Give up too much late.  And I don’t trust Isringhausen.  Walks too many.

Boston in Five

Joel Williams:

Ah, Chris. You've picked Boston in 5, and that just proves your bizarre man-love for Pedro.

Boston was 3 outs away from getting swept, remember? So I'm picking St. Louis in 6. They're just too powerful. Their starting pitching is decent, and their relievers have been outstanding all post-season. I didn't think I would give an edge to St. Loo's pitching any time this post-season but I think they have it here: Pedro has lost it - he got old all of a sudden. And Schilling is being held together by dental floss. Tim Wakefield is starting game one, for crying out loud. And compare the managers for a second. Any doubt that La Rousa has a bit of an edge over his counterpart?

I'll take any team that has Larry Walker hitting second because there's no where else to put him.

Jim Turner: Hmmm, I was planning a haiku, but I'm not sure I can top Chris.

Pedro old? He hasn't looked like his unhittable self, but he also doesn't have to pitch against his Daddy anymore which should be a psychological boost. And did you notice how his fastball suddenly picked up 11 MPH during his relief inning. What was up with that? Maybe he figured if Schilling could pitch on a bleeding, ruptured ankle, he was going to let it all hang out.

I'd probably take a chance on Good Pedro before I'd pick anyone in the Cards rotation, but they're a solid, if unspectacular, bunch and as long as they can hold Boston to 4 or 5 runs, they've got a shot with that offense. I think Albert Pujols will really enjoy the Green Monster.

Boston's starters can either no-hit you or completely implode depending on whether the knuckler knuckles or the Schilling Schoe holds up. Then there's the off-chance that Pedro discovers that St. Louis is his mommy. Whatever happens, it shouldn't be boring, and we can only hope that the World Series can approach the drama of the LCS.

As a Jays fan, I suppose I should cheer for Boston here, because if they do win, it's hard to imagine they'll push as hard or spend as much next year as championship complacency sets in a bit. Combine that with the possibility of George Steinbrenner going absolutely nuts, and the Jays might find the AL East ripe for a wild card upset. On the other hand, a ring on Larry Walker's finger would cap a pretty sweet career for the greatest Canadian position player of all time.

This should be close, but I believe St. Louis, as their record suggests, really is the best team in baseball, and that they'll win one more than the Sox.

St. Louis in seven games.

Summary:

Sean Doyle	On His Honeymoon
Christopher James	Boston 5
Jim Turner	St. Louis 7
Joel Williams	St. Louis 6