The White Sox are -130 favorites to win the World Series. -- I hate being the favorite, but I like being in the World Series. It's a trade off I'm happy to make.
The Astros have a pitching staff unlike anything we have seen in the post-season. Here are the ERA+ marks for all of the starters that we've faced so far along with what the Astros would look like in a 7 game series.
Clement 96 Clemens 221 Wells 99 Pettitte 174 Wakefield 106 Oswalt 141 ================== Backe 87 Total 301 Clemens 221 Average 100.33 Pettitte 174 Oswalt 141 =================== Byrd 112 Total 1159 Washburn 131 Average 165.57 Lackey 122 Santana 90 Byrd 112 ================== Total 567 Average 113.4 Grand Total 868 Average 108.5
Ozzie is going to used the same rotation that he got the Sox the AL title in the ALCS.
There will be at least two (more likely 3) games in Houston, where the Sox will be without the black hole at DH. I say black hole because Carl Everett has an incredible .561 OPS in the playoffs.
Here's how I would make out my lineups
vs. Pettitte vs. Others Podsednik Podsednik Iguchi Iguchi Dye Dye Konerko Konerko Rowand Pierzynski Crede Crede Pierzynski Rowand Uribe Uribe Pitcher Pitcher
I doubt Ozzie is so proactive with Rowand, Pierzynski, and Crede, but that's what I would do, nonetheless.