The Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals, two history-rich baseball clubs with winning tradition, are about to take centerstage on Wednesday for Game 1 of the 2013 World Series Championship at Fenway Park in Boston, Mass.
After a wild regular-season which was followed by a drama-filled MLB playoffs, the best of the National League and the beasts of the American League will go head-to-head in a seven-game series to determine the undisputed champion for the 2013 MLB season.
The Red Sox are gunning for their third World Series crown in 10 years while the Cardinals try to snatch their second Fall Classic title in three years. Yet again, both ball clubs enter uncharted territory with Boston playing their first World Series without Terry Francona and St. Louis playing in the big stage without Tony La Russa in their dugout.
Revenge of the Birds
Although it happened nine years ago, the stench of St. Louis' devastating World Series loss to Boston in 2004 is still fresh in the minds of some members of the Cards, particularly manager Mike Matheny and catcher Yadier Molina.
"Some of us have some pretty bad memories of being here in 2004, and we're looking to kind of right that ship," Matheny told ESPN.
Matheny played as the catcher for the Cardinals while then-rookie Yadier Molina served as his backup in that unforgettable series against the Red Sox.
"It's fun to be part of this history, to be here in Fenway Park, to be part of this Series against Boston," Molina said. "It's different to play here overall. Playing defense, offense, pitching. It's different, but at the same time it's fun."
Hungry Beards
The Red Sox waited for six years to return to the World Series stage, and now when the title is within their reach, David Ortiz and company plans to make the entire experience something special.
Ortiz is the only remnant in the Red Sox' sweeping triumph over the Cardinals in 2004, but outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury believes the outcome of the series won't lean so much on history as it will the work being put in by each team on the field.
"Obviously I'm aware of the history of the two teams," Ellsbury told ESPN. "Once the first pitch happens, all that goes out the window."
World Series Game 1 Starting Lineups and Starting Pitchers
Boston Red Sox
Batters: Mike Napoli 1B, Dustin Pedroia 2B, Xander Bogaerts 3B, Jarrod Saltalamacchia 4B, Stephen Drew SS, Jacoby Ellsbury CC, Shane Victorino RF, Jonny Gomes LF, David Ortiz DH
Starter: Jon Lester
(Regular season: 15-8, 3.75 ERA, 177 strikeouts 2013 Playoffs: 2-1, 2.33 ERA, 14 strikeouts, 19.1 innings pitched)
St. Louis Cardinals
Batters: Mike Adams 1B, Matt Carpenter 2B, David Freese 3B, Yadier Molina C, Pete Kozma SS, Jon Jay CC, Carlos Beltran RF and Matt Holliday LF
Starter: Adam Wainwright (Regular season: 19-9, 2.94 ERA, 219 strikeouts 2013 Playoffs: 2-1, 1.57 ERA, 20 strikeouts, 23.0 innings pitched)
Live Stream & Schedule
Coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Boston Red Sox World Series Game 1 will begin on 8:00 p.m on FOX. The game can be streamed online via MLB Postseason TV while Audio Streaming is available on ESPN Radio. Live Scores and Boxscores Information is available on ESPN World Series Coverage.