St. Louis – Numb bodies render cold showers useless.
In the corner of the Busch Stadium visiting clubhouse, Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell tiptoed behind the cameras, laughing as he dumped a bucket of ice cubes over Roger Clemens. Clemens didn’t flinch, already drunk with joy.
In Southern California three days earlier, White Sox pitcher Jose Con- treras stood on the celebration’s margins, wiping tears from his eyes. He pitched for Cuba in the Olympics. Nothing, he said, compared to this.
“The best moment,” Contreras whispered, “of my career.”
The White Sox and Astros arrived in the World Series carrying spirit that has not been felt in a long time, or in Houston’s case, forever. It tastes sweet, enjoying success others had for so long enjoyed at their expense.
Now, it is time for a single Cinderella to crush the other over the head with a glass slipper. The personality of this World Series reflects the change in baseball this season. When people talk about arms, they aren’t those of some muscular slugger.
An old staple will decide this cage match: starting pitching.
The White Sox have moved to within four victories of their first championship since 1917 on the flexing biceps of Contreras, Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland and Freddy Garcia. Through eight playoff games, the starters are 7-1 with a 2.81 ERA. They have posted four complete games – the first to pull off that feat in the playoffs since the 1956 New York Yankees.
Dig deeper and the quality may be more compelling than the quantity. They held Red Sox MVP candidate David Ortiz, the game’s best clutch hitter, to one RBI. Reigning MVP Vladimir Guerrero produced one hit in 20 at-bats. The starters’ importance can’t be overstated, because the last time the bullpen worked, the leaves hadn’t changed colors.
“With the experience I have had in the playoffs, whether I was managing or playing, I have never seen four horses come out of the gate and pitch so well,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “We had our hands full trying to do anything.”
Contreras is the unlikely ace. He is familiar to most casual fans as a rope in the Red Sox-Yankees’ ongoing tug-of-war. The Yankees won his affection with a $32 million contract. He failed miserably in New York, labeled too soft to handle expectations when traded to Chicago in the summer of 2004.
Comforted by a predominately Spanish-speaking coaching staff, Contreras has shown remarkable resolve and stuff, going 13-3 since the All-Star break.
“He has set the tone,” manager Ozzie Guillen said of his anticipated Game 1 starter.
After uncharacteristic burps in the first two rounds, the Astros are eager to measure themselves against the White Sox, this year’s playoff yardstick. The names are sexier – Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Roy Oswalt and Brandon Backe – but the numbers lack sizzle.
Only Oswalt has been dominant. He shredded the St. Louis Cardinals for two victories, earning NLCS MVP honors with a 1.29 ERA.
“If they can’t generate nothing, hitting is contagious,” said Oswalt, part of a crew that strangled Larry Walker, Reggie Sanders and Jim Edmonds to a .179 average in 56 combined at-bats. “You don’t see guys running out there wanting to hit when they aren’t getting any (results).”
Clemens’ aura of invincibility has not extended into this postseason. His best outing came in relief, as he clobbered the Braves’ dreams in the divisional series. In his last start, he labored through six innings. His head-to-head matchups with Contreras figure to go a long way toward deciding the series.
Clemens can still pop his fastball at 94 mph, but his splitter – a pitch Pettitte calls the ultimate equalizer in jams – has deserted him. In his career, Clemens has gone 12-8 in the playoffs, but he’s 3-0 with a 1.90 ERA in the World Series.
“I didn’t realize how much I pitched for my mom until she wasn’t here. It’s not the same, but I will have my energy kicked up for this,” Clemens said. “The way I size up the Series is that we’re in. We put ourselves in a great situation. We gave ourselves the ultimate chance, now it’s up to us to make it happen.”
Game 1: Houston at Chicago
6:03 p.m., Saturday, KDVR-31
2005 World Series
Starting pitching
The White Sox starters posted four consecutive complete games in dispatching the Angels, matching a feat last accomplished by the 1956 Yankees. Jose Contreras emerged as the staff ace in the second half and set the tone by muzzling the Red Sox in the playoff opener. Two elements give the Sox an edge: Their staff is deeper than the Astros, and Contreras is better, as weird as it sounds, than Roger Clemens, as the Game 1 and Game 5 starter. The Astros’ version of Earth, Wind and Fire is Clemens, Andy Pettitte and Roy Oswalt. Those who didn’t know of Oswalt before this month do now. Edge: White Sox
Bullpen
Rust is a real concern with the White Sox bullpen because many relievers are working on two weeks’ rest. Closer Bobby Jenks, prone to mechanical glitches, bears watching to see if he can throw strikes. Orlando Hernandez is a likely scratch with a sore shoulder. Familiarity worked against Astros closer Brad Lidge vs. the division rival Cardinals. His playoff hiccup erased, he should return to dominance. Dan Wheeler and Chad Qualls are in career-best grooves. Edge: Astros
Catcher
Among regrettable Rockies’ trades, moving Brad Ausmus to the Padres in 1993 ranks in the top 10. Ausmus provides leadership, intelligence and confidence. A.J. Pierzynski, arguably baseball’s most hated player, is an average defender but capable of turning mistakes into souvenirs. Edge: Astros
First base
In a lineup that scares no one, Paul Konerko gives opposing pitchers chills. He hit two home runs against the Angels. With the DH in play, the Astros’ lineup could feature three first basemen in Lance Berkman, Mike Lamb and Jeff Bagwell. Edge: White Sox
Second base
Craig Biggio, a lifetime Astro, is a sentimental favorite to win a ring. Manager Ozzie Guillen considers Tadahito Iguchi the White Sox’s MVP for his steady glove and selfless bat. Edge: Astros
Shortstop
Adam Everett is an old-school shortstop, with a wiry frame, Charmin-soft hands and a strong right arm. Red Sox advance scouts believe Juan Uribe should win the AL Gold Glove. Edge: White Sox
Third base
Morgan Ensberg has shed anonymity with a breakout season – leading the Astros in home runs and RBIs. Chicago’s Joe Crede has been coined Mr. Clutch after racking up 15 total bases in the ALCS. Edge: Astros
Left field
When Scott Podsednik gets on base, the White Sox go off. When he gets out, they go away quietly. Podsednik is not a great hitter, but he creates havoc on the bases. The Astros’ Chris Burke is a second baseman by nature, but he’s better off in left field than in center. Edge: White Sox
Center field
Aaron Rowand plays with reckless abandon, trading paint with center-field walls. Willy Taveras is the National League’s fastest player and his defense is valuable. Edge: White Sox
Right field
Jason Lane is the best Astros player nobody has ever heard of, and the White Sox counter with Jermaine Dye, who blends muscle, effort. Edge: White Sox
Designated hitter
It is not always clear if Carl Everett lives on this planet. He’s prone to outrageous statements and volcanic outbursts, but he’s found a home with the Sox. Jeff Bagwell would make a wonderful story if he contributes. That’s not a given. Manager Phil Garner may opt for the streaky Mike Lamb. Edge: White Sox
Bench
This is where the National League team benefits. Eric Bruntlett and Mike Lamb are valuable pieces. Manager Ozzie Guillen has used the same lineup in all eight postseason games. That won’t change. Edge: Astros
Managers
Ozzie Guillen is a human air freshener, not a slave to statistics (see archenemy Buck Showalter) or conventional wisdom (see quote sheets). In a team that desperately needed to change its culture, Guillen was the perfect fit, a personality capable of meshing misfits. Phil Garner manages like he played, with aggression and fearlessness. No one gets second-guessed more, but other than Albert Pujols’ Game 5 home run, he has not been burned. Edge: White Sox
Intangibles
Both teams went from gagging during the season to choking down champagne. The Astros were 15 games under .500 on May 24. The White Sox paged Dr. Heimlich in August, nearly squandering a 15-game division lead. The longer this series goes, the more it works in the Astros’ favor as a groundswell builds to get Bagwell and Biggio their rings. Edge: Astros
Prediction
White Sox in 6
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
