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October 3, 2005

Playoff Prospectus

Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox

by Nate Silver

Sox versus Saux. This is the first time that these two clubs have met in October, a distinction owing mostly to the fact that the White Stockings have reached the postseason just four times since divisional play began in 1969.

This is probably the most compelling matchup of the four opening series, and it'd be easy to pin a Moneyball versus "Ozzieball" label on the contest, but that doesn't entirely do it justice. Yes, the White Sox steal bases, and the Red Sox don't; the White Sox sacrifice, and the Red Sox don't; the Red Sox take pitches, and the White Sox don't. But what we really have here is a more classic matchup: a team superior at run prevention and average at run scoring against their alter ego.

Lineups (AVG/OBP/SLG/EqA/VORP)

Chicago White Sox

LF-L Scott Podsednik (.293/.354/.353/.265/12.6)
2B-R Tadahito Iguchi (.278/.342/.435/.275/27.1)
RF-R Jermaine Dye (.271/.330/.505/.285/30.1)
1B-R Paul Konerko (.283/.375/.534/.309/52.4)
DH-B Carl Everett (.250/.309/.434/.261/11.3)
CF-R Aaron Rowand (.271/.329/.408/.262/20.1)
C-L A.J. Pierzynski (.256/.308/.420/.253/15.2)
3B-R Joe Crede (.252/.303/.456/.262/11.8)
SS-R Juan Uribe (.254/.303/.415/.251/12.0)

Boston Red Sox