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Absolute power: several things are beyond dispute heading into the World Series. One of them is that whoever is playing will be capable of lighting up the scoreboard

Sporting News, The, Oct 25, 2004 by Kyle Veltrop

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Absolute No. 5: In closing, the closers are the key. It's not as if all of the postseason pitching has been bad; Clemens and Lieber proved that with their strong starts. But the biggest exception to the postseason rule that offense rules has been at the back end of bullpens. In the first seven LCS games, no closer blew a save--or allowed a run.

The Yankees' Rivera, who is unrivaled when it comes to slamming the door in October, helps bail out a flawed pitching staff, especially because he can throw multiple innings. He earned saves in Games 1 and 2 of the ALCS, thwarting Red Sox rallies. He did blow a save during his second inning of Game 4.

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The Cardinals' Jason Isringhausen saved Games 1 and 2 in the NLCS, but he is the most vulnerable closer still pitching. This season, Isringhausen has struggled with his command, which used to be his strength, and routinely has had to pitch himself out of the trouble he created.

Since taking over the closer role in late June after the trade of Octavio Dotel, Lidge has been almost unhittable. With his blistering fastball and sharp slider, Lidge simply is "nasty," as the Cardinals' Reggie Sanders calls him. Lidge's work in Games 3 and 4 kept the Astros alive.

Still, no one closes the deal like Rivera, giving the Yankees yet another edge.

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The Red Sox haven't won the World Series since 1918, but at least they've won it. Five times, in fact. That's a lot better than many teams can say. Of course, with the Yankees keeping 26 titles for themselves, there haven't been that many others to go around. Add the World Series won by the Cardinals, A's and Dodgers, and you end up with four teams hogging 50 of the first 99 championships.

They're waiting to make it there: Astros, Devil Rays, Expos, Mariners, Rangers, Rockies.

They're waiting to win their first: Brewers, Padres.

They're waiting (and waiting) to win another: Cubs (96 years), White Sox (87 years), Red Sox (86 years), Indians (56 years).

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Absolute power: several things are beyond dispute heading into the World Series. One of them is that whoever is playing will be capable of lighting up the scoreboard

Sporting News, The, Oct 25, 2004 by Kyle Veltrop

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