First, this week’s Pop Quiz question came to us from Bob Buscavage of Moriches:
Name the former NL MVP who appeared in a 2013 episode of “The Office” and shares the name of a character in the show.
Well, I started the season by projecting the Red Sox to finish in last place in the American League East. I openly mocked their winter activities. I wrote that signing all those free agents to “mid-level” deals was the equivalent of a guy going through a bitter divorce, then immediately getting remarried and saying, “Well, this time, at least I’m not paying as much for the wedding.”
Then I started the postseason by projecting the Red Sox to defeat the Pirates in the World Series. I think I fell in love with the Pirates’ narrative.
Finally, I entered the World Series by saying Red Sox in 6.
So let’s stick with that.
Let’s stick with that because I always believe in staying faithful to my predictions. Also, I think it’s a pretty logical progression to think the Red Sox will wrap up this season, winning their eighth championship and third in the last 10 years, Wednesday night in Game 6 at Fenway Park.
There’s no getting around this reality: If not for eerily similar throwing miscues in Game 2 and Game 3 – Craig Breslow overthrowing third base from behind home plate in Game 2, then Jarrod Saltalamacchia throwing wide to third from behind home plate in Game 3 – this Series probably would be over already. The Red Sox have mostly themselves to blame that they’re still playing. Of course, they don’t seem terribly upset about this, as they and their fans are fired up for the chance to win their first World Series at home since 1918.
Yup, Cardinals rookie stud and Mets reject (yes, yes, 17 other teams rejected him too in last year’s amateur draft) Michael Wacha pitched great in Game 2. But he also departed the game on the hook for the loss; he became the winner thanks to Breslow. I think Wacha and the Red Sox getting a second faceoff will benefit the Red Sox, and being back at home will reignite the sagging, non-David Ortiz components of the Red Sox lineup. The Cardinals just look cooked, and you’d think that Tuesday’s travel nightmare will further fry them.
And John Lackey will become the only active pitcher to win two World Series clinchers. Perfect timing, since Andy Pettitte did so in 1998 and 2009, but he just retired.
Let’s go with 6-2 Red Sox, with World Series Most Valuable Player David Ortiz going 0-for-1 with three walks and Mike Napoli celebrating his return to the starting lineup with a three-run homer off Wacha in the fourth inning.
Next year, I’ll try to not pick the eventual World Series champ for last place.
The Pop Quiz answer is Ryan Howard. If you have a tidbit that correlates baseball to popular culture, please send it to me using the email icon here.