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I am a card carrying member of The Red Sox Nation, there for it is impossible for me to leave my heart out of it, but I will try.
Starting pitching: Beckett v.Sabbathia - even
Schilling v. Carmona- Schil. is 9-2 2.02 era career post season. edge to Bos.
Matsuzaka v. Westbrook - Daisuke has much better stuff than Westbrook only if he can keep from getting to fine with his pitches when he gets ahead of the opposing hitters. Edge to Bos. if Dice-K stays aggressive.
Wakefield v. Byrd - Both are very similar pitchers because neither has outstanding stuff, but both of them are smart and know how to pitch.These guys can both be a nightmare for oppossing teams when they are on. However Wakefield has a bad back and hasn't pitched in a while and Byrd is coming of an excellent performance to close out the yankees. Edge to Cleveland.
Bullpens: Papelbon v. Borowski - Borowski is a fine closer and any team would be well served to have him, but he is no Papelbon. Edge to Bos.
Okijima v. Perez - Okijima had to be shut down because of a tired arm but seems to be back to full strength. The yankees could not touch Perez. Edge to Cleveland.
Long relief -To many to go through one by one but, the Sox had, on paper, the best bullpen in the A.L. during the regular season. Edge to Boston.
Defense - The Sox (.986)had the second best fielding percentage in the A.L. with the Indians (.985)right behind them. Even.
Offense- Catcher - Varitek v. Martinez - no contest edge to Cleveland.
First Base - Youkilis v Garko - similar averages, Garko more homers, Youk more runs batted in. Even.
Second Base - Pedroia v. Barfield - same runs batted in but Pedroia hit .317 to Barfield's .243. Edge to Bos.
Shortstop - Lugo v. Peralta - again RBI's the same. Peralta hit .270 to Lugo's .237 due to Lugo's horrible first half (.197) but he turned it around in the second half (.280) Lugo stole 29 more bases than Peralta. Edge to Bos.
Third Base - Lowell v. Blake - Like catcher no contest but this time edge to Bos.
Right Field - Drew v. Nixon/Gutierrez - Even
Center Field - Crisp v. Lofton - Lofton had a higher AVE. and OBP. Crisp more RBI's and solen bases. Even.
Left Field - Ramirez v. Michaels - Edge to Bos.
D.H. - Ortiz v. Hafner - Ortiz beats Hafner in AVE., HR, & RBI. And nobody is clutch like David Ortiz. Edge to Bos.
On paper one would have to say that the Boston Red Sox are favorites over the Cleveland Indians, but the games are played on the field and not on paper. I think that it will be a tough series for both teams unlike the first round. I say the Sox in six.
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