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World Series Breakdown - Page Two Player by Player Breakdown Rick Gagliano | 10/21/05
Player-by-player Breakdown
From top to bottom, these teams stress consistency over power. Here's how they match up by position.
1st Base: Chicago's Paul Konerko vs. Houston's Lance Berkman
Konerko is probably the only player who could be called a bona fide power hitter in this series. He knocked 40 homers and 100 RBI in the regular season, but also struck out 109 times. Berkman, who missed the early part of the season due to injury, batted .293 with 24 HRs and 83 RBI in 132 games. Berkman also has a tendency to whiff, but is adept at drawing key bases on balls. Konerko gets the overall edge on power, but Berkman is better in the clutch. Edge: EVEN
2nd Base: Chicago's Tadahito Iguchi vs. Houston's Craig Biggio
As good as Iguchi, the 30-year rookie import from Japan has been, Biggio is better. Iguchi bats second in the order and compiled a .274 batting average in the regular season, but struck out 114 times, not something you'd like from your #2 guy. Biggio is a Hall of Famer in the making, closing in on 3000 career hits. His batting average was .264 during the regular season, but nobody has been better during the playoffs. Biggio got key hits in a number of games, seldom strikes out and is the team leader. Edge: Houston
3rd Base: Chicago's Joe Crede vs. Houston's Morgan Ensberg
Crede came up with big hits in the ALCS and has developed into a steady player but only hit .252 this season. His defense is solid and despite his relative youth, he's mentally tough in the clutch. For Houston, Morgan Ensberg had career highs in homers and RBI and is one of the key batters in Houston's lineup, usually batting in the #3 slot, in front of Berkman. Not quite the defensive player Crede is, he more than makes up for that with his bat. Edge: Houston
Uribe's regular season numbers were not impressive, but he's been clutch throughout the playoffs. He covers the plate well and extends at bats. He doesn't strike out much, but doesn't walk often either. His defense is impeccable. Everett's offensive numbers were similar to Uribe's but he strike out often and doesn't draw walks. He's steady at short and plays good positional defense, but doesn't have the range or the arm of Uribe. Edge: Chicago
Pierzynski has extensive post-season experience and is excellent handling the White Sox pitchers. His batting average is on the low side, but he has good power on occasion and keeps his head in the game. Ausmus has always been regarded as one of the best defensive catchers in the game and anything at the plate will be a bonus. He won't hurt anyone with power, but is steady handling the Houston staff. Edge: Chicago
Left Field: Chicago's Scott Podsednik vs. Houston's Chris Burke
Podsednik gets the nod here due to his speed. He swiped 59 bases in the regular season and creates havoc for opposing pitchers on the bases. A solid .290 hitter, his 75 Ks vs. 47 BBs is a good ratio for a leadoff guy. Burke batted only .248 in the regular season, but caught fire in the playoffs. Still, he's a rookie and his inexperience will work against him. Edge: Chicago
Center Field: Chicago's Aaron Rowand vs. Houston's Willy Taveras
Rowand is steady but not that fast for a center fielder and he strikes out more often than he should. He makes up for that with occasional pop and hits balls into the gaps. Any hitting from him will be a bonus. Taveras is the fastest player on the Astros and will be key to Houston's running game, as he led the team in steals with 34 during the regular season. He batted .291 during the season and .357 in the playoffs. Defensively, he roams the outfield with the best of them and has an above average arm. Edge: Houston
Dye resurrected his career in 2005 with his best season since 2001. He batted .274 with 31 homers and 86 RBI, but was only 7 of 29 with a mere 3 RBI in the playoffs. He's got good power, his strikeouts were well down this season and he will run in key situations. Lane's numbers were nearly comparable to Dye's with 26 homers and 76 RBI. Likewise, he cut down on the Ks and will steal a base on occasion. Dye's experience gives him a slim advantage here. Edge: Chicago
Page 1 - Overview
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