| To go into more detail, I think the Astros "Big 3" is better than the Sox "Big 3". but, with Garcia and Duque, I think the Sox are deeper. So, the Sox will have a big advantage in Game 4 (Garcia vs. Backe) and if one game ends up being a slugfest and the teams need a long reliever, the Sox have a HUGE advantage having Duque coming out of the pen.
I give Houston the edge in the closer category too...Lidge is a Top 5 closer, Jenks is unproven. I don't know much about the rest of their bullpens though. I do know, however, that Wheeler has been pretty good for Houston.
I think Chicago has a better line-up than Houston. They've got speed with Podsednik, power with Konerko, and a bunch of other guys who, although they are unspectacular, can get the job done.
Houston has struggled to score runs all year long. Biggio is still a quality player, plus Berkman and Ensberg are long-ball threats, but who else really scares anybody on this team? Not Bagwell anymore. Mike Lamb? Adam Everett?
So, I think that in a hard-fought, well-pitched, low-scoring series, the Sox will emerge victorious
Red Sox in '04...White Sox in '05...Cubs in '06?!?! |