It’s the Cardinals and Red Sox for 21st century bragging rights. The Red Sox won the World Series in 2004 and ’07; the Cardinals in 2006 and ’11. By the end of this World Series, which begins Wednesday at Fenway Park, one team will be the first to three world championships in the new century.
Here’s how it breaks down:
First base
Matt Adams vs. Mike Napoli
Adams brings some pop and has been a decent but unspectacular replacement for injured Allen Craig. Napoli hit two big home runs against the Tigers in the ALCS and has given the Red Sox solid production all season.
Edge: Red Sox
Second base
Matt Carpenter vs. Dustin Pedroia
After entering the MVP conversation during the regular season, Carpenter slumped badly early in the playoffs, but rebounded later in the NLCS. Pedroia still is among the game’s better second basemen, but his .311 on-base percentage this postseason hasn’t helped the Red Sox.
Edge: Cardinals
Shortstop
Pete Kozma vs. Stephen Drew
Kozma had a strong NLDS before disappearing against the Dodgers in the last round, but is a strong defensive presence. Drew has been a mess at the plate during the postseason, batting .086, but brings a strong upside.
Edge: Red Sox
Third base
David Freese vs. Xander Bogaerts
Freese followed a mediocre regular season with a disappearing act in the NLDS and NLCS. The former October hero is batting just .189 with four RBIs this postseason. Bogaerts replaced Will Middlebrooks in the ALCS and gave the Red Sox some needed offensive production.
Edge: Even
Left field
Matt Holliday vs. Jonny Gomes
Holliday came alive near the end of the NLCS, which included a big home run against Ricky Nolasco in Game 4 at Dodger Stadium. He had another strong regular season, posting a .879 OPS. Gomes is among the MIA in this Red Sox lineup, batting just .200 in the postseason.
Edge: Cardinals
Center field
Jon Jay vs. Jacoby Ellsbury
Jay has been lost at the plate the entire postseason and appeared shaky at times tracking balls in the outfield. Ellsbury has a .992 OPS this postseason, only helping his cause heading to free agency. Ellsbury also has six stolen bases in these playoffs.
Edge: Red Sox
Right field
Carlos Beltran vs. Shane Victorino
Beltran remains among the premier October players of this generation and finally will get to display his talents on baseball’s biggest stage. Victorino is a New England folk hero for his grand slam that sank the Tigers in the ALCS. He will be playing in his third World Series.
Edge: Cardinals
Catcher
Yadier Molina vs. Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Molina’s greatest value to the Cardinals remains his game calling, but he still is capable of delivering a big hit. Michael Wacha and Joe Kelly are Molina’s biggest successes of this postseason. Saltalamacchia hit 14 home runs during the regular season and gives the Red Sox a dependable presence behind the plate.
Edge: Cardinals
DH
Allen Craig vs. David Ortiz
Craig just began taking batting practice last week after a foot injury ended his regular season on Sept. 4. He drove in 97 runs this season and has been missed by the Cardinals. The Red Sox appeared cooked in the ALCS until Ortiz hit a grand slam in Game 2 that changed the complexion of the series. He still is among the game’s most feared hitters.
Edge: Red Sox
Starting rotation
The Cardinals have a dynamite 1-2 punch in Adam Wainwright and Michael Wacha, the rookie who pitched 13 ²/₃ scoreless innings against the Dodgers in the NLCS. Joe Kelly and Lance Lynn have pitched to mixed results this postseason, but can be trusted in big spots.
Jon Lester has emerged into a dependable postseason ace for the Red Sox, with John Lackey, Clay Buchholz and Jake Peavy forming a solid nucleus behind him. The Red Sox need the Lackey from the ALCS and the Peavy from the ALDS.
Edge: Cardinals
Bullpen
Trevor Rosenthal brings a 100 mph fastball to the closer’s role for the Cardinals, and Seth Maness has not allowed a run in five appearances this postseason. Carlos Martinez and Randy Choate have also been valuable pieces to the puzzle. The Red Sox have a good thing going with Brandon Workman, Craig Breslow and Junichi Tazawa leading into Koji Uehara. The journeyman Breslow has become one of the best lefty relievers in the majors.
Edge: Red Sox
Bench
Daniel Descaslo and Shane Robinson are battle-tested for the Cardinals. Robinson worked his way into the starting lineup for Game 6 of the NLCS against the Dodgers for the slumping Jay, and the Cardinals could go that route again. Daniel Nava has to be considered a power threat off the bench for the Red Sox, and Mike Carp and David Ross bring veteran bats.
Edge: Red Sox
Managers
Mike Matheny vs. John Farrell
Matheny in two seasons has picked up where Tony La Russa left off. A former catcher, he understands the game’s nuances. Farrell is a rising star who will become a household name with four more victories this season.
Edge: Even
Intangibles
The Red Sox have the benefit of four potential games at Fenway Park, where they are 4-1 this postseason. The Cardinals will rally around Beltran, trying to get him the first world championship ring of his 16-year career.
Edge: Even
POST WRITERS PICKS
JOEL SHERMAN
Cardinals in 7
Red Birds vs. Red Sox. Welcome to a Red October between evenly matched teams. Cards won’t beat themselves on the bases and in the pen the way the Tigers did in the ALCS.
KEN DAVIDOFF
Red Sox in 6
Boston’s pitching makes the difference in an exciting Fall Classic. Koji Uehara wraps up his thrillingly unlikely season with three more saves.
GEORGE A. KING III
Red Sox in 7
Very evenly matched teams. Edge goes to the Red Sox in experience and a hot bullpen.
MIKE PUMA
Red Sox in 6
These Red Sox resemble their 2004 brethren as a team of destiny. The American League is due to bust through after three straight World Series defeats.
KEVIN KERNAN
Cardinals in 7
Wacha, Wacha. Cardinals young starters and young bullpen will be too much to handle for Red Sox.