As the resident baseball expert for Your Sports Nightcap, I decided to write up an analysis and prediction for the World Series. Here it is, and please remember I also picked the Angels in the ALDS and the Indians in the ALCS. I’m on a roll, baby!

I’d love to be doing this on-air, but due to my current location being closer to the domes in which Dasiuke Matsuzaka and Kaz Matsui first played professional ball than Fenway or Coors field I figure the blog is the best way to go. With that, here’s the breakdown Dr. Jack style:

Batting: Both of these teams can put up runs in the blink of an eye. And with the locations for this series being Fenway and Coors field, they probably will. The biggest difference in the two lineups is that the Rockies have their speed at the top while the Sox have theirs at the bottom. I think the difference will be if Pedroia and Youkilis continue to be hot while Matsui and Tavares (a combined .200 BA in the NLCS) stay cold. The big boys in the middle of the lineup are going to do their thing, so it’s a question of who sets the table for them. Edge: Red Sox

Pitching: Short of Josh Beckett, the Red Sox starting pitching was anything but stellar in the ALCS. While the Rockies have a very young, but well rounded staff with Francis, Jimenez, and Fogg starting the first three games. Game four is a coin flip with Aaron Cook having not pitched since August 10th vs the rookie Jon Lester. While it would make an amazing story to have Lester, one year removed from being diagnosed with cancer, get the win in a clinching game four, I don’t see it happening. I think the overall strength of the Rockies is more powerful that Josh Beckett twice in a seven game series. Plus, Eric Gagne continues to be on the Red Sox postseason roster to the confusion of everyone in New England. Edge: Rockies

Defense: This isn’t even a question. One team led the league in almost every defensive metric, while the other still has Julio Lugo at short and Manny Ramirez in left field. Edge: Rockies

Coaching: Clint Hurdle has done a terrific job with his team in the past few weeks. Hell, it’s kind of hard to fault any manager who has won 21 of his last 22 games. But he still hasn’t had to make a difficult decision in these playoffs. Remember, he was one lucky call at home plate away from not even making it to the NLDS. In the other dugout, Terry Francona has now proven that he knows exactly what buttons to push to keep the team lose and still perform at a very high caliber. Despite his not-so-brilliant move to start Wakefield in game four of the ALCS, he still got the job done. I give the edge to the manager whose proven he can work at this stage. Edge: Red Sox

Intangibles: Where’s Jeter when you need him? Right now the Rockies are on one of the most impressive winnings streaks in the history of baseball. 21-1 in their last 22 and 7-0 in the playoffs. But you’ve got to believe that having over a week off will hurt your team. Meanwhile the Red Sox should be riding high after overcoming their second 3-1 deficit in the ALCS in the past four years (the other was from 3-0). They still managed to have their pitching rotation set up for this series and they’re morale has got to be (ready for the pun?) a mile high. Edge: Red Sox

Parting thoughts: In my mind this series comes down to the first game. If Josh Beckett takes care of business and the Sox can hand the Rockies their first defeat of the postseason, the Sox will wear down the Rockies and win the series. If Beckett loses, everything turns in the Rockies favor.

Prediction: I picked them to go all the way before the playoffs started, so I can’t change now. Rockies