Two proud franchises will take the field at Fenway Park tonight, when the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals meet in the 100th World Series. But forget all the history for a moment. Forget the Curse of the Bambino. Forget the 22-year drought since the Cardinals' ninth and last world championship.
This is about the way the Red Sox and Cardinals match up in 2004. Here's a closer look:
When the Cardinals are batting
Red Sox players think they're being complimentary when they say the Cardinals have an American League lineup. St. Louis hit 11 homers in the NLCS, but beyond being potent - with a Murderers' Row of Larry Walker, Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds - the Cardinals also do the little things well, like bunt and steal bases.
Edgar Renteria had two textbook sacrifice bunts in the Cardinals' Game 7 victory over Houston. The Red Sox looked feeble every time they tried to bunt in the ALCS.
When right, Boston's starting pitching is good enough to keep the Cardinals in check. The Red Sox already handled a pair of good lineups, sweeping the Angels and winning four straight in Games 4 through 7 against the Yankees.
But Curt Schilling remains a major question mark. How much can his right ankle take? He was brilliant for seven innings in Game 6 against New York, with his tendons stitched together, and Boston's medical staff says he can have the same procedure done two more times.
The Yankees didn't bunt against Schilling, but the few times he had to cover first, he finished the play with a noticeable limp. Look for the Cardinals to exploit this weakness. Then again, if Schilling is OK, the Red Sox will be awfully tough if the Series goes long, with Schilling in Game 6 and Pedro Martinez in Game 7.
Edge: Cardinals.
When the Red Sox are batting
Boston had the best offense in baseball this season, scoring 949 runs, compared with 855 for the Cardinals. But the World Series format weakens the Red Sox significantly with the NL rules in St. Louis for Games 3, 4 and 5.
With no designated hitter, David Ortiz will get thrust into first base duty, and Kevin Millar will be on the bench. This weakens the Red Sox both offensively and defensively.
Ortiz was sensational in the ALCS, but some of his teammates disappeared offensively. Johnny Damon was hitting .103 in the series until he hit two homers and drove in six runs in Game 7. Manny Ramirez didn't have an RBI in the series. Mark Bellhorn also struggled before waking up with home runs in Games 6 and 7.
