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BOSTON - The tradition-rich Boston Red Sox go after their second World Series trophy in four years when they take on Fall Classic debutants the Colorado Rockies starting on Thursday.
The Red Sox, who ruled Major League Baseball early in the 20th Century, are making a bid for dominance again as they send ace right-hander Josh Beckett to duel Colorado left-hander Jeff Francis at Fenway Park for the Series opener.
Boston won their first World Series in 1903 and four between 1912 and 1918, but waited 86 years for their next triumph in 2004. Now with a new-look roster, featuring 18 new faces since their last Series win, they are within four victories of hoisting the trophy again.
Colorado came into the major leagues in 1993 and after only one previous playoff appearance, in 1995, find themselves in their first best-of-seven World Series after charging into the post-season with an incredible finish.
The Rockies, blending power, pitching and defence, won 13 of their last 14 games to force a one-game playoff for a post-season berth. They advanced by overcoming a two-run deficit in the 13th inning against San Diego.
Successive playoff sweeps over the Phillies and Diamondbacks ran the Rockies' winning streak to 10 straight and 21 of 22 but also gave them an eight-day layoff before the start of the World Series.
The Red Sox battled back from the brink of elimination with three wins in a row to capture the American League title on Sunday against the Cleveland Indians.
Red Sox manager Terry Francona sees similarities between Colorado and American League teams Boston has faced.
"They have an American League lineup," Francona said. "Speed at the front, knocking the ball around the ballpark in the middle. There's a lot of respect for what they can do.
"Saying that, we like our team. This should be a great series."
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said having speedsters Willy Taveras and Kazuo Matsui at the top of his order sets up the team's attack.
"To have two men with speed at the top of our lineup is a dynamic we have never had in Colorado before," he said.
"You put balls in play, infielders can't hesitate. They've go to field it clean, they've go to get a throw off. Outfielders got to cut it off, they've got to get it in.
"When they get on base the pitchers are concerned about them stealing. They can put up quick runs. They've been very efficient for us."
Boston relies more on bashing the ball with sluggers David "Big Papi" Ortiz and Manny Ramirez leading the way assisted by Mike Lowell and in-form Kevin Youkilis.
Francona thinks he might hold a winning edge in Beckett, who won two games against Cleveland and was named MVP of the championship series, adding another October honour to the World Series MVP Award he won with Florida in 2003.
The Red Sox manager said Beckett was challenging the legacy of playoff ace that Boston's Curt Schilling has held.
"He's younger, starting to mature, and we're reaping the benefits of that because he is maturing right in front of our eyes," Francona said.
"Seems like every game he wants to make more of a name for himself."
- REUTERS
