[Raji]

Where were you when the Red Sox won the World Series?

It’s one of those questions usually reserved for tragic moments like the day Kennedy was shot. But when Boston won its first world championship in 86 years back in 2004, the world watched.

It wasn’t Boston’s four-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series that year that captured everyone’s attention. It was how the Red Sox made it to that point that made a permanent impression.

Boston was down 3-0 in the 2004 ALCS to the New York Yankees, who finished first in the American League and had outscored Boston 32-16 in the first three games of the series. That included a 19-8 Game 3 beating that left the Red Sox for dead.

Then, like a flatline that starts to wiggle on an electrocardiogram, Boston’s heart started to beat. Gradually the Red Sox clawed back and won four straight to advance.

Baseball fans familiar with this tale couldn’t help but think of 2004 after watching Boston rally from a 3-1 series deficit against the Cleveland Indians in this year’s ALCS. Bettors can also compare the two comebacks before deciding on this year’s World Series wager.

Now, I don’t think that in years from now I’ll be telling my grandkids about the BoSox comeback of 2007. According to Las Vegas sportsbooks, however, Boston’s three straight wins this past week carry more weight than its four straight did back in 2004.

“They’re not even the same type of comeback,” says John Avello, an oddsmaker for the Wynn Hotel Sportsbook. “First of all, against the Yankees, the Red Sox were lifeless. In this recent series, you knew it was coming.”

It’s true. Even when Boston was coming off a 7-3 trouncing to the Indians in Game 4, anyone who had witnessed the 2004 resurrection knew there was plenty more fight left in this year’s Red Sox – and fight they did.

Boston’s offense exploded, outscoring Cleveland 30-5 in the final three games of the ALCS. It is this domination that stands out for bettors heading into the Fall Classic. That makes it unlike 2004. Then the Red Sox had to scratch out close wins in all but one of their four victories over New York. (The exception was a 10-3 win in Game 7.)

Back then, oddsmakers priced the American League champs as only -120 home favorites for Game 1 of the World Series against the Cardinals. It was a series in which the entire sports world was hoping the Sox could continue their fairy tale run as the underdog against the team with the majors’ best record.

“Boston was a cheap favorite in the World Series and the books got hammered,” recalls professional handicapper Ted Sevransky.

This year it’s a different story. Well, the story is the same, but the Red Sox have changed roles. Boston opened as a huge -210 favorite for this Wednesday’s Game 1 and is around a -200 fave to win the series over Colorado.

Instead of being the loveable underdog, Boston is now the powerhouse. The Rockies, who have startled the sports world with their 21 wins in 22 games, are playing the same role the Red Sox did back in 2004.

It’s hard to tag Colorado as an underdog after what it’s done in the past month. However public perception is that the American League is better than the National League. Boston’s momentum heading into the World Series has made people forget about the Rockies’ run.

“People will remember the last thing that’s happened and Boston coming back with three straight wins is fresh in the bettors’ minds,” says Jeff Stoneback, sportsbook director at the Mirage Hotel and Casino. “Colorado’s streak is pushed to the back burner right now.”

Boston is used to being the big bad favorite ever since its 2004 championship. The Red Sox are now always among the preseason picks to win the American League pennant and capture another title. This season was no exception. The expectations were confirmed after Boston exploded out of the gate and finished tied for the best record in the bigs.

“I think the public expects them to sweep but Game 1 will tell us a lot,” says Avello.

Wednesday’s series opener is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Fenway Park in Boston. The total is currently listed at 8 ½ with Boston’s Josh Beckett and Colorado’s Jeff Francis on the mound.



Raji