BASEBALL: Boston Red Sox at Chicago White Sox

With all due respect to the over-achieving Detroit Tigers, today's one to watch is a matchup of the two best teams in the American League (and therefore also the best teams in baseball). These well-balanced squads have split the past two World Series amongst themselves and seem poiseded to clash over this year's title as well. Today's contest features 10 game winner John Beckett for the Red Sox against 10 game winner Freddy Garcia for the White Sox.

I'd give a narrow edge to Chicago as the slightly stronger team. Both teams have tremendous power. But in all of baseball, it is only the combination of Paul Konerko - Jim Thome - Jermaine Dye that can surpass Boston's feared duo of David Ortiz - Manny Raminrez. And the White Sox everyday lineup and starting pitching also both appear to be deeper than the Red Sox. Jon Papelbon and Bobby Jenks are close enough at closer to be a wash, but the Red Sox bullpen as a whole has indeed outperformed Chicago's. And Boston's star power of Curt Schilling and Big Papi does have the potential to give them an edge in a short playoff series. In summation, these teams are both really good.

My pick: Chicago. Ozzie Guillen will have his boys fired up after losing to Boston 7-2 yesterday. Maybe he'll call the Red Sox a bunch of fags before the game. As someone who's been to Yankee Stadium a few times over the years, it wouldn't be the first time I heard that description of the Red Sox.



So that's what I'll be watching. What will you be watching? The Red Sox? Or the Red Sox Nation? How do you like them apples ?!? Let's see you top that one, Ozzie!