Time to compare the Yanks and Sox' batting orders, 1 through 9.

1) Jeter vs. Damon -- similar numbers here. Damon batted .304, his best since 2000, and had some pop with 20 HR to go with 19 steals. As for Jeter, he hit .292 (his lowest since '97), but had a little more power, with 23 HR and 23 SB. Both are guys who have come through in the clutch- Damon had 2 HR in game 7 of the ALCS last year.

EDGE: EVEN

2) A-Rod v. Nixon -- much as I hate A-Rod, I gotta be honest: Though his numbers have dropped since putting on the pinstripes, he's still one of the AL's best hitters. Nixon is solid, but nowhere near A-Schmuck's league.

EDGE: YANKEES

3) Sheffield v. Manny: Both guys put up MVP-caliber numbers almost every year, but Manny's numbers are slightly better (.308, 43 to .290, 36). Plus throw in the fact that Manny's got a few good years left, while Sheff, at 36 and following shoulder surgery, is questionable.

EDGE: RED SOX

4) Matsui v. Ortiz: Again, 2 guys who are arguable MVP candidates, and both are guys you want up there in a big spot. Shemp is a given for .300 and 30 HR, but whether he can match his power numbers in Japan is still unclear. Until Shemp's a lock to hit 40 like Big Papi is, you've got to give Ortiz the edge.

EDGE: RED SOX

5) Millar v. Giambi/Sierra: On both sides, a big drop from 4 to 5 in the order. But Millar can hold his own: he's got a .291 career average, and is good for 20 HR a year. Giambi has been awful so far, and might be done. Sierra is better as a pinch-hitter these days, and can't play every day anymore.

EDGE: RED SOX

6) Renteria v. Posada: This one's a tough one. Posada is a .270 hitter, good for 20 HR, and gets on base a lot (.379 career OBP). Renteria has less power (about 10 HR a year), but his career .288 average is better than Posada, and he unlike Georgie, he can run. Renteria's lower OBP (.345 career) makes this one a draw.

EDGE: EVEN

7) Varitek v. Martinez/Giambi: Like the 5-hole, this is a sure deal v. a couple of question-marks. Varitek's numbers are solid but unspectacular (about .270, 20 like Posada, but lower OBP), but you have to wonder whether Tino and Giambi can put up even those numbers at this point in their careers.

EDGE: RED SOX

8) Williams v. Mueller: not even close. Both of these guys have won batting titles, but Williams' was way back when Bill Clinton was in office. Mueller won one in '03, and hit a solid .283 in '04, compared with Bernie's .263.

EDGE: RED SOX

9) Womack v. Bellhorn: one thing Bellhorn has over Womack: a track record of decent success. Mark has had an .370 OBP in two of the last three seasons, and can give you 15-20 HR. Womack has a .319 lifetime OBP, has a lot more steals than Bellhorn, but last year's 26 were his lowest ever in a full season. Speed is nice, but doesn't help much if you don't get on base.

EDGE: RED SOX