Red Sox vs. Yankees

When the Red Sox came back to score two runs off Mariano Rivera last night I was already asleep but I would agree with the statement that the "better team" won. Just for fun - let's compare these two teams position by position:

1st - the edge has to go to Boston's trio of Mientkiewicz, Millar and Ortiz over Tony Clark and John Olerud (with the potentially disruptive return of Jason Giambi thrown in for good measure)

2nd - again the edge has to go to Boston with Mark Bellhorn and Pokey Reese over Miguel Cairo and Enrique Wilson

SS - I'll be generous and call this a draw even though Jeter has a slight offensive edge over Orlando Cabrera and Cabrera has a huge defensive advantage over Jeter.

3rd - A-Rod

Catcher - this is a draw.

Left field - Manny Ramirez has an edge. Manny may be the league MVP but I think that Matsui is the Yankee's team MVP.

Center - Johnny Damon gives the Red Sox the edge over an aging Bernie Williams.

Right - If the MVP doesn't go to Manny - then it probably will go to Gary Sheffield. Advantage Yankees

Starting Pitching - big edge to the Red Sox who have two guys in the hunt for the Cy Young award while the Yankees have a bunch of guys who hope that their season ERA's remain under 5.00.

Bullpen - on paper the edge goes to the Yankees but in reality I think the Yankee bullpen has been so overused that fatigue and wear and tear negates any edge. Push.

Closer - People can't romanticize what Mariano Rivera was. They have to understand what he is today. In the past he was the best closer in history. Today he does not give the Yankees and edge over Keith Foulke.