THE ANSWER MAN, BUT NOT THE SCHWABBIE

As my Cardinal looks menacingly at the two teams vying for the World Championship this year, knocking the reigning champs off their perch, he doesn't like the Rocks or Sox. He has more reason to dislike the Sox of 2004. Because they beat a superior Cardinal team. But they evened the score in last year's classic when the Cardinals won over a superior Tiger team. So who's going to win this year's classic?

The Rockies (I love the mountains, but is that a crazy team name or what?) have the impressive hot streak going for them, a powerhouse lineup and awesome defense. Their bullpen is quite good, too, as well as a starter or two.

The Sox have one of the best teams money can buy. They hit, they have awesome pitching and a very good pen. Their defense is mundane, typically American League. They atypically have a little speed with Lugo and the Jacoby kid, but where they shine is starting pitching. So I'd have to say that pitching will cool off even the streakiest of teams.

Don't overlook the umpiring in this series. I've umped a lot of baseball games and believe me it's not that tough. If you're in position, it's hard to miss the calls, not like in basketball or football. But I've seen lousy officiating this season in all levels of sports. Remember the Holliday slide against the Padres? He was not near the plate after a great defensive block by the catcher. If that one call is made, who knows? Maybe the Rocks are done. So I'm saying the umpires could affect the outcome. And if you think I'm paranoid or highly critical, then check out the plate and where the ball was in the tv insert. There were more times than not, that the ball was off the plate and called a strike than when the umps got it right.

My NL heart is rooting for the Rocks. My Cardinal heart, too. (Gosh, how many does he have, you ask?) But my head says the Sox in 5.

The answer to yesterday's quiz. St. Louis and Boston. They've split in World Series, St. Louis won in the NBA finals, lost in the Super Bowl and Stanley Cup finals.