ESPN.com - MLB Playoffs 2002 - Sticking with Giants, Bonds in Game 7
ESPN.com

Sunday, October 27
 
Sticking with Giants, Bonds in Game 7

By Dave Campbell
Special to ESPN.com

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Before the World Series, I said the San Francisco Giants would win it seven games, with Barry Bonds being the biggest factor. And now that Game 7 will be played Sunday, I'm not changing my prediction.

However, I like the Angels' chances after gaining the momentum from Saturday's comeback from a five-run deficit. Both teams have faced tremendous gut checks in the series. The Giants were down two games to one and were losing 3-0 in the fifth inning of Game 4, but they battled back and won. And the Angels were down 5-0 in the seventh inning before scoring six unanswered runs to extend the series.

The Giants have the utmost respect for the Angels. While I don't think there was any celebrating going on with a five-run lead, the way Russ Ortiz was pitching and with Felix Rodriguez, Tim Worrell and Robb Nen lined up in the bullpen, the Giants probably felt they had the game.

I'm starting to wonder about the Giants' bullpen. Rodriguez has now pitched in 13 of 16 postseason games, and Worrell has pitched in 12 of 16. Nen isn't throwing the ball as hard as he has been because he has shoulder problems.

Ironically, Tim's brother, Todd Worrell, was pitching for the Cardinals and suffered the loss in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series when the Royals benefitted from a controversial play at first base. On Saturday, Tim got the loss because he gave up the home run to Darin Erstad and left two runners on base who then scored. It seems like a heavenly curse.

From the fourth inning in Game 4 until one out in the seventh inning of Game 6, the Angels were 15-for-74 (.203) before going eight for their next 10 with two home runs and six RBI. And they broke out against one of baseball's better bullpens.

The Angels never stopped believing in themselves. Mike Scioscia tells them to play one game at time, and there is no carryover after either a win or a loss. Meanwhile, the Giants have to put the game behind them and come back with a positive attitude. Momentum is usually as good as the next day's pitcher, and the Game 7 starters will be Livan Hernandez for the Giants and John Lackey for the Angels. Anaheim could have also gone with Ramon Ortiz or Scott Schoeneweis, while Kirk Rueter would have been another choice for San Francisco.

Chances are it will be a fight to finish for both the Giants and the Angels. Here are the Game 7 keys for both teams:

San Francisco Giants
Livan Large: Hernandez has been there before, winning two games in 1997 with Florida. But then again, he was throwing better than than he is now. I wouldn't take anything away from him, though. He is capable of pitching the way Ortiz did. It's a tough decision. I don't think he can borrow much from how Ortiz pitched because they are two entirely different pitchers. Ortiz has a boring fastball that comes in on the hitters' hands. Livan doesn't have that. The biggest thing for Livan is that home-plate umpire Jerry Crawford will call the outside corner and the low pitch because Livan Hernandez didn't get that call in Game 3.

Anaheim Angels
Avoid Bonds: Bonds will be instrumental, the key figure in Game 7. He is the greatest offensive force I've ever seen. I can only wonder what he was feeling at the moment he thought he had his first elusive championship. He has never won a championship in high school, college or the pros -- and he was three innings away. But first, Lackey needs to be careful with Kenny Lofton. He is starting to wreak havoc, getting on base and stealing bases, as he did Saturday. The Angels would rather pitch to Bonds with no one base.

Dave Campbell, who was an infielder for eight seasons in the major leagues (1967-74), is an analyst for Baseball Tonight and ESPN Radio.





Series Page

 More from ESPN...
A history of Game 7s
A scrapbook of heroes and ...

Candiotti: Scouting the Game 7 starters
A breakdown of Game 5 ...

 ESPN Tools
Email story
 
Most sent
 
Print story
 
Daily email