Freddy Garcia heads to the mound for the White Sox, as they try to complete a four-game sweep of the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park and celebrate their first title since 1917.
That year, Shoeless Joe Jackson led the White Sox past the New York Giants, but since then it's been a long drought for the White Sox, who are in their first World Series since 1959.
The White Sox, who have played small ball all season, have received long balls from unlikely heroes the last two games.
On Sunday night it was Scott Podsednik's homer in the ninth inning that won Game 2. On Tuesday, former Astro Geoff Blum hit a two-out solo homer in the 14th inning in his first career World Series at-bat, catapulting the White Sox to a 7-5 victory.
The 14-inning contest tied a record for the longest in World Series history and broke several other marks. The game lasted five hours, 41 minutes, the longest by time in World Series history. A total of 17 pitchers and 43 players were used and the 30 men left on base (15 by each team) were also records.
Brandon Backe pitches tonight for the Astros, who are in their first-ever World Series. If Houston is to rally from the 3-0 deficit, it would become the first team to do so in the Fall Classic.
Only one time has a team come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a post-season series, and that occurred last year when the Red Sox rallied against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series.
Boston then swept St. Louis for its first World Series title in 86 years.
Garcia is coming off a complete-game six-hitter against the Angels on Oct. 15 in Game 4 of the ALCS. He's 2-0 with a 3.21 earned-run average in these playoffs with both starts coming on the road.
Backe had a strong showing in Game 4 of the NLCS, as he allowed only two hits and a run over 5 2/3 innings. The righty walked three and struck out seven in the no-decision.
Backe has appeared in three games during the 2005 playoffs, including two starts, and is 0-0 with a 4.91 earned run average. He went 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA in three starts during the 2004 post-season.
In Game 3, eight Chicago relievers combined to allow just one hit over the final seven innings and Houston only had one hit after the fourth, Jason Lane's RBI double that forged the 5-5 tie. Game 2 starter Mark Buehrle recorded the final out for his first career save.
Blum, who played for the Astros in 2002 and 2003 before being traded to Tampa Bay in the deal that sent Backe to Houston, got hold of Ezequiel Astacio's 2-0 pitch and the ball sailed over the wall in right field to give the White Sox a 6-5 lead.
Blum, who came into the game at second base for Tadahito Iguchi in the 13th inning, belted his first career post-season homer.
"As soon as I hit it I knew it was high enough to get out," Blum said. "As soon as it got out Tim Raines' [first base coach] face lit up and stuck his hand up. Hitting his hand and touching the bag was a little tough."
Incredibly, Blum didn't join the White Sox until a July 31 trade from San Diego. At the time, the White Sox said they needed Blum for his versatility, and Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen repeated that stance after Tuesday night's game.
"He can help me play every position," Guillen said. "Because the way I play, I like to move people around, I like to pinch-hit for people, and this kid gives me the facility to using him everywhere, first base, second base, shortstop and third and even outfield."
Houston batters walked 12 times, a World Series record, but Astros manager Phil Garner is clearly frustrated.
"I'm ticked off because we're not hitting well. We're just not getting the job done," Garner said.
If they don't get the job done tonight the 101st World Series will be history and the White Sox will finally get a chance to celebrate. Tonight would be a fitting end to the season for Chicago, which has won its last seven post-season games and is 10-1 overall.
Guillen isn't celebrating just yet.
"I have to respect the other manager of the other team, and when your job is manager, I let the guys enjoy themselves and celebrate with the winning," Guillen said.
However, after tonight's game Chicago's manager just may uncork a few champagne bottles himself.
Game 5, if necessary, would be tomorrow night. Jose Contreras is in line to pitch for the White Sox. Roger Clemens, who has a strained left hamstring, is penciled in as Houston's starter.
