A low profile in that high altitude  —  Do you know this man?  He's the starting pitcher for Colorado in Game 1 of the World Series.  Give up?  It's Jeff Francis.  (JIM DAVIS/GLOBE STAFF)  —  No tradition this time.  No storied rival that dates to the beginning of the 20th century.

Sounding Like a Chip Off the Old Boss  —  Perhaps the Yankees have only themselves to blame for this revolting development, this idea of the Red Sox' playing the Colorado Rockies in the World Series.  If it weren't for the Yankees, after all, the Red Sox wouldn't be there.

Floyd wants to end career playing for Marlins again  —  Free-agent outfielder Cliff Floyd said he is thinking about retiring after 15 seasons.  But first he wants to take a swing at ending his career where he had some of his best years - in Florida.  —  "I would love to come to the Marlins.

Simulations say ... Red Sox will be champions  —  The 2007 postseason has produced one of the more intriguing World Series matchups of recent years: the hot-hitting Boston Red Sox, fresh off yet another dramatic ALCS comeback, against the Colorado Rockies, winners of 21 of their last 22 …

Mets set to pass on Rangers' Rudy Jaramillo, stick with HoJo  —  BOSTON - The Mets are expected to stick with Howard Johnson as hitting coach and intend to pass on pursuing the Rangers' Rudy Jaramillo for that position, GM Omar Minaya said.  —  Three years ago, Minaya had interviewed Jaramillo …

CHARLEY WALTERS: Twins pitcher Carlos Silva seeks four-year contract  —  A little birdie says the Twins have offered free-agent pitcher Carlos Silva a three-year deal worth slightly more than $7 million a season.  Silva, however, wants at least one more year on a contract.

Musical performers set for Games One and Two of 2007 World Series  —  John Williams, Ashanti, James Taylor and Boyz II Men to perform at Fenway Park  —  Seventeen-time Grammy award winning and five-time Academy award winning American orchestral composer John Williams will lead the Boston Pops …

Guillen likely to leave Mariners  —  Outfielder's departure would open spot for Jones in starting lineup  —  It is appearing more likely Jose Guillen will opt out of his contract with the Mariners for the 2008 season and become a free agent.  —  No decision has to be made until after the World Series …

Torre tells Costas length of contract killed deal  —  Joe Torre last night did his first one-on-one television interview since parting with the Yankees, talking with Bob Costas on HBO's "Real Sports" hosted by Bryant Gumbel.  Torre said flat out what he had hinted at last week …

Nationals filling last spots on 40-man  —  Nats add two pitchers, a first baseman and an outfielder  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals added pitchers Garrett Mock and Justin Jones, first baseman Josh Whitesell and center fielder Roger Bernadina to the 40-man roster on Tuesday.

Rockies can offer avalanche of hope  —  The Colorado Rockies lifted the World Series to new heights this week — in elevation, if not TV ratings — and stirred a slumbering baseball city.  And as the one David of October to emerge and face a Goliath, the Rockies also have spread hope to the masses.