With the cast of characters set for this year’s World Series, it’s looking even better for a Bombers fan to win $25,000.

The Boston Red Sox closed out their comeback win over the Cleveland Indians in the American League Championship Series Sunday night, advancing the Sox to their second World Series in four years. Boston will take on the Colorado Rockies in the best-of-seven series, which opens on Wednesday.

The Bombers are celebrating the 2007 Fall Classic by giving one lucky fan a chance to win $25,000, and it’s quite possible the Red Sox win makes a big payoff more likely. In the top of the third inning of Game 1, if the Red Sox strike out three Colorado hitters in order, and none of the batters reach base by passed ball or error, then a randomly selected fan will go home $25,000 richer.

Josh Beckett, the Red Sox ace and the only 20-game winner in the Major Leagues this season, is expected to start for Boston in Game 1. Beckett finished the 2007 regular season with a 20-7 record and an ERA of 3.27, striking out 194 batters in just over 200 innings pitched. He also averaged more than a strikeout every inning while pitching at Fenway Park, the venerable home of the Red Sox that will play host to the World Series opener.

More encouraging to Bombers fans, though, is Beckett’s performance in the playoffs. He is 3-0 in three starts this postseason with a 1.17 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 23 innings, and he was named Most Valuable Player of the American League Championship Series. The last time he took the mound in the World Series was Game 6 of the 2003 World Series, when Beckett tossed a complete-game, five-hit shutout against the New York Yankees. The native of Spring, Texas struck out nine Yanks to clinch the World Series title for the Florida Marlins and garner the World Series MVP award. He also tied the Major League record for most strikeouts by a pitcher in a postseason.

To enter the promotion, fans can stop by Brazos Valley Bank or Boston’s Pizza before Wednesday and fill out an entry blank. Entries can also be submitted online at bvbombers.com/worldseries/. Entries must be filled out completely to be eligible. Complete rules can be found on the Bombers web site at bvbombers.com/worldseries/rules/.

Join the Bombers for Game 1 of the series on Wednesday, October 24, when the team will be hosting a World Series viewing party at Boston’s Pizza. The broadcast will begin at 7:00 pm, but the fun will kick off at 5:30 pm for Halfway Happy Hour, hosted by The Fox 99.5. You’ll be able to pick up information about season tickets and find out more about the 2008 Texas Collegiate League as well. KaBoom and the Bombshells will be there, so come and join the team… and you might go home $25,000 richer!