Cubbies Crib: 2013 World Series Staff Picks

Oct 22, 2013; Boston, MA, USA;

paints the World Series logo on the field during media day the day before game one of the 2013 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

This year’s World Series match up between the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals has the potential to go seven games and on paper looks to be an exciting back-and-forth series. The Cubbies Crib staff is excited to see this one with Cubs President Theo Epstein’s former team, the Red Sox and Cubs’ division rival St. Louis squaring off.

Here are our picks for this year’s fall classic.

Misener: Ortiz won’t be as big of a liability as people think at first, but Cardinals pitching at home will continue its recent dominance. Pedroia and Napoli will have a big series, and the dominant back end of the Boston pen will be too much for the Cards’ offense.

Home field advantage will decide the series, with the Red Sox squeaking out a Game 7 win in front of Red Sox Nation at Fenway Park.

Cain: The designated hitter rule will hurt the Sox and really help the Cardinals with Allen Craig back in the lineup. Sox take a close Game 1 and the Cards rattle off two games (Game 2 and 3) with Carlos Beltran dropping off in production. The Sox win the next three with, yes you guessed it, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jonny Gomes providing clutch hitting. Sox in 6.

Han: Sox in 6. Both squads have won the Series in their previous two appearances, but Boston of course brushed aside the Cards in 2004 after their dramatic comeback against the Yanks in the ALCS. Sox won’t have the same momentum going into the 2013 edition, but the home field advantage with DH has me thinking its easier for the Sox to steal a road win than it is for the Cards.

Bardwell: I’m going with the Redbirds in 6 games. The St. Louis pitching staff is going to be too much for Boston to overcome, while the addition of Allen Craig to the Cardinals lineup will only create an even more explosive offense if can contribute. This will be a fantastic series as these are two of my favorite baseball organizations with great players of the game.

Connelly: Cards in 5. Full faith in young arms locking it down. #12in13

Miniel: Red Sox in 6. Cardinals lead the all-time World Series match up between the two, 2 series to 1.

Blazek: Red Sox in 6. I agree the DH, or lack of will create issues, but the Boston sticks will find a way against the Cards pitching. Pedroia will have an MVP winning series, and Boston overcomes the Marathon tragedy with a World Series triumph.

Schackmann: Redbirds in 6, I agree that the Sox don’t have an adequate answer to cards pitching.

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