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World Series Breakdown - Page Three DH, Bench, Pitching, Manager, Intangiles Breakdown Rick Gagliano | 10/21/05
DH and Bench:
When in Chicago, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has an advantage because he can call on any of a number of players including Carl Everett, Geoff Blum or Willie Harris. Everett usually gets the nod at DH for his power and plate coverage, but the other role players for Guillen are solid.
Houston manager Phil Garner has Mike Lamb, who also may get a start in left field or first base and Jeff Bagwell, who's been mostly sidelined with nagging shoulder injuries. If Bagwell were healthy, he'd be a huge plus for Houston. Houston also can use Orlando Palmiero and Eric Bruntlett off the bench. He has options, but the hitting potential is light. Edge: Chicago
Starting Pitching:
Both teams have excellent starters, but the White Sox have been nails in the playoffs. Roy Oswalt may be the best pitcher in the series, but having pithed in Game 6 of the NLCS, he'll be well rested for game 3 in Houston and maybe game 6 if he goes on three days rest, or game 7 if it goes that far. The matchups in the first two games slightly favor the White Sox, with Jose Contreras facing Roger Clemens and Mark Buehrle going against Andy Pettitte in game two. If the Astros can grab one in Chicago, they will have momentum with Oswalt in Houston, who will likely take the mound against Chicago's John Garland. Freddie Garcia would likely start game four for Chicago, while Houston could either counter with Clemens or Brandon Backe, who is a solid post-season performer. Edge: Chicago
The White Sox have guys champing at the bit in the pen. Because their starters were so dominant in the playoffs, the Sox relievers haven't seen much action. Cliff Polite, Orlando Hernandez, Damaso Marte, Neal Cotts and closer Bobby Jenks didn't allow a run in 8 innings, all of that against the Red Sox except for 2/3rds of an inning in game one of the NLCS by Cotts, so they are on their game. Dustin Hermanson, who closed most of the games during the season, has had back problems and is available but will likely only be used in emergencies or extra innings.
Houston's bullpen is equal to the task. Middle relievers Dan Wheeler, Chad Qualls and Mike Gallo allowed only 3 earned runs in 17 playoff innings. Lidge is a lights out closer who can bring the heat with the best of them. Edge: EVEN
Manager and Intangibles:
Ozzie Guillen has gotten most of the press in the post season because of his glibness and apparent enjoyment of the spotlight. He's cagey, hard-nosed and willing to take risks, but the Sox sometimes seemed capable of running themselves out of innings and were saved by their excellent starting pitching against the Angels. Houston manager Phil Garner didn't get the nickname "Scrap Iron" during his playing days for being passive. He handles the game based on what he has and that is usually good defense and pitching and clutch hitting. His tough-minded experience and demeanor will serve as a calming effect for the younger guys on the squad.
The Sox haven't won the World Series since 1917 and this is the Astros' first chance in the 44-year history of the franchise, so you'd have to say that both teams are hungry for the title. Home field goes to the Sox, as does the rest factor. They've been off since last Sunday, nearly a week off. The Astros got a break winning game six on Wednesday, getting two full days to travel and rest up. Both teams are ready to rock, and it all may come down to age vs. youth, and especially so on the mound. Both Andy Pettitte, 33, and Roger Clemens, 43, have looked shaky at times in the playoffs, but both of them have big time experience. Compared to Clemens, most of the players on the field for both teams are relatively kids. If Clemens is tough in game one, the series momentum could shift to the Astros. If he falters, the Sox could win in five.
Both managers will likely have a tight rein on their starters, as two runs could be an insurmountable lead in this series. If anybody gets hot, look for it to be either Biggio for the Astros or Konerko for the Sox. In that case, Chicago gets an edge, unless Biggio can slug more homers - not likely. Edge: EVEN
In the final analysis, Chicago comes out on top and should take this series in six games, winning games 1, 2 and 6 at home and game 4 in Houston. The Astros will win games 3 and 5 at home.
Page 1 - Overview
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