By the time the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox finish beating each other up, there might not be much left for the World Series. But the Colorado Rockies were still the underdogs at 6-5 at press time to beat whoever comes out of the American League.

We mentioned yesterday that Colorado was getting a 46.9 percent chance from Baseball Prospectus to win the World Series. But BP also acknowledges something of an X-factor: Willy Taveras. The fleet center fielder was added to the NLCS starting lineup against Arizona, replacing Ryan Spilborghs. Don’t let that 3-for-16 performance versus the Snakes fool you; Taveras stole a key base in the series opener and walked twice in Game 2, including the game-winning bases-loaded BB, to help the Rocks establish the lead.

Speed and scrappiness usually get scoffed at by seamheads, only because those qualities are overemphasized by traditional baseball “experts.” They remain positive qualities, and Colorado will need them.