vs.

Paul LoDuca

.286 / .335 / .726

(AVG/OBP/OPS)

Catcher

This position is a weakness for both teams.  Neither backstop is a major offensive contributor, and House's arm is only marginally better than LoDuca's anemic one.  But LoDuca can boast a respectable batting average, so it's:

Advantage:  Oaks

J.R. House

.245 / .326 / .682

Barry Bonds

.284 / .444 / .934

First Base

The Barry Bonds Experiment has worked out well for the Oaks.  Bonds won't win any Gold Gloves, but he hasn't embarrassed himself at first base, and he continues to be a human walk machine while still contributing the occasional home run.  Helton's numbers are considerably down from his stellar 2003 campaign, making it:

Advantage:  Oaks

Todd Helton

.245 / .359 / .809

Luis Castillo

.265 / .337 / .653

Second Base

Utley provides some solid pop in the lineup for the Perfectos at a position where the Oaks aren't getting much, and Utley's a stronger fielder as well.  This is a solid:

Advantage:  Perfectos

Chase Utley

.282 / .345 / .834

Scott Rolen

.282 / .351 / .837

Third Base

Although Felipe Lopez has received some starts at third against righties (Jones plays in LF against righties), his awful offensive output means Counsell is likely to get the nod.  His solid performance this season, combined with Jones' superior numbers when he's at this position, are enough to offset Rolen's strong offensive contributions.

Advantage:  None

Craig Counsell

.310 / .404 / .799 (vs. R)

Chipper Jones

.297 / .360 / .894 (vs. L)

Rafael Furcal

.264 / .344 / .741

Shortstop

Furcal's great range offsets his 21 errors, while Lopez's numbers are weak even for a defensive shortstop.

Advantage:  Oaks

Felipe Lopez

.221 / .326 / .665

Pat Burrell

.289 / .356 / .929

Left Field

The scary thing for the Perfectos is that, despite his 37 HRs and 126 RBIs, Burrell might not even be the best of Oakland's "Four Horsemen."

Advantage:  Oaks

Chipper Jones

.286 / .414. 885 (vs. R)

Juan Pierre

.365 / .380 / .792 (vs. L)

Brian Giles

.272 / .449 / .987

Center Field

Giles is a little slow in CF, but the mobility of  his corner outfielders cuts down on the amount of territory he needs to cover.  Offensively, it's no contest.

Advantage:  Oaks

Endy Chavez

.271 / .346 / .683 (vs. R)

Preston Wilson

.218 / .301 / .687 (vs. L)

Bobby Abreu

.308 / .418 / .921

Right Field

In case you hadn't heard, the Perfectos had some guy named Vlad who got hurt.  But with the great comeback Abreu's had since his abysmal 2003 season, even Vlad might not be enough to negate the...

Advantage:  Oaks

Juan Pierre

.278 / .326 / .673 (vs. R)

Endy Chavez

.302 / .362 / .773 (vs. L)

Randy Wolf (15-10, 3.53)

Vicente Padilla (14-12, 3.43)

Russ Ortiz (17-9, 4.11)

Aaron Heilman (11-5, 4.29)

Starting Pitching

The front of the rotation is fairly even, but the Perfectos don't have a great option for the #3 spot, let alone #4 if they go with a four-man rotation.  That makes it another

Advantage:  Oaks

A.J. Burnett (19-6, 3.22)

Jake Peavy (14-10, 3.61)

Orlando Hernandez (11-10, 4.51)

Jerome Williams (13-10, 4.64)

John Smoltz (8-3, 2.80)

Blaine Neal (3-2, 3.13)

Shane Nance (9-3, 3.79)

Middle Relief

The Oaks enjoy the luxury of having Smoltz as a set-up man, and while Ray King has been terrific and the rest of the St. Louis bullpen solid, those W-L records for Oakland tell the story.

Advantage:  Oaks

Ray King (4-4, 2.16)

Tim Redding (5-4, 3.45)

Valerio de los Santos (5-2, 4.18)

Jason Isringhausen (6-6, 2.38, 33 SV)

Closer

A strength for both teams.  Isringhausen has been here before and is looking to win back-to-back titles, but Williamson have been just a little sharper, blowing only three saves all year to Isringhausen's six.

Advantage:  Perfectos

Scott Williamson (5-4, 2.09, 37 SV)