Sox - Yankees: How they really match up

For the third time already in this short season, the Red Sox will play the Yanks tonight, opening up a short -- but probably not sweet -- two game series in the Bronx. Despite expected doubts, I'm hearing the Sox will try for a quality start for once tonight.

Most who know me understand the media has a tendency to get under my skin. All I ask for is for "non-corportate, un-bias, non right-wing media" industries and members. I want truth, reality, and for reporters and writers to give me the news, not create it. It's been difficult since Henry and Warner bought the Red Sox for authentic coverage to be given to the royal fans. Most of us are fed scripted and carefully planned opinions that try too hard not to bash the team and its management, while still creating enough intensity and attention to keep fans engaged.

It gets tiring time after time, since Dr. Charles took over the PR department and clowns on stilts hovered over Landsown Street like crowes over trash cans. The media spent much of the offseason protecting the team's arrogant and thoughltess plan to win with defense in an offensive park, while ignoring the recent holes in the bullpen (Wagner, Saito to ATL). Much of the media also decided that the Red Sox had enough talent to compete with an possibly overtake the Yankees. In honor of the two teams playing tonight, it is necessary and well overdue for fans to truly look at how far apart the talent on the two teams really is.

Catcher: Jorge Posada vs. Victor Martinez

Say what you want about Jorge's defense declining in recent years and his bum shoulder and occasional injuries, the guy still hits the hell out of the ball and carries the pitching staff. His leadership caries as much weight as a power lifter, which is never a bad thing over the course of a 162 game season. Victor's defense is atrocious, but him and Posada are about equally talented offensively, both switch-hitting and providing pop at the plate. Advantage: NYY

First Base: Mark Text-Message vs. Kevin Youkilis

Not to knock on Youk, but Mark Teixeira is probably the best first baseman in the American League. One can't criticize the Red Sox for having Youkilis as their first baseman -- he's outstanding in the field, at the plate, and as a teammate. But one certainly can criticize the Sox for not having their enemy's ammo. Advantage: NYY

Second Base: Robby Don't Ya Know vs. Dustin Pedroia

This will sound like a typical Red Sox homer, but I don't care what anyone says. With his size and limits, Dustin Pedroia is the best second baseman in baseball. Chase Utley and Robinson Cano have ball-player bodies. They're taller than 5'5". They have power hitters hitting behind them, oh, and they grew up playing that position. Dustin Pedroia was a short stop, and I don't care if Cano spent some time there. Pedroia made the transition, and won a gold glove. He won the AL Rookie of the Year in 2007 and had a killer postseason. He killed the Rays in the 2008 ALCS, and last I checked, won the MVP that year. He's a leader and has the heart of a lion, and everything I hear is that he's the new captain in the locker room. I watched Robinson Cano in the playoffs in 2009. He struck out numerous times, played lazy defense all throughout 2009, and has a reputation for partying in the past off the field. I give him credit -- he has been one of the top players this season. But you don't decide who is better after April and two weeks off May. You do it over time, and Pedroia is more proven and flat out better. He maximizes himself. Just look at the hardware. Advantage: BOS

Shortstop: Derek Jeter vs. Marco Scutaro

Don't really have to say too much here. Scutaro has been decent to date, but: Advantage: NYY

Third Base: Alex Rodriguez (with Jon Miller's fake spanish accent) vs. Adrian Beltre (Bel-TRAY, as Miller would also say)

Again, no contenst here. Beltre has been solid at the plate with his power coming on. A-Rod is the biggest super-star in the rivalry. Advantage: NYY

Left Field: Randy Winn/Marcus Thames vs. Jacoby Ellsbury

While the Yankees not signing Jason Bay or Matt Holliday is surprising, it can't be as surprising as the Red Sox not locking one of them up, either. With a power outage on both sides here, the Sox clearly have the better left fielder. I think Ellsbury needs to grow a little bit regarding injuries; Sean McAdam had a report a few weeks ago that Jacoby had to be forced numerous times in the minors to play through smaller injuries, most likely fallout from Agent Scott Boras. Advantage: BOS

Center Field: The Grandy Man vs. Mike Cameron

A young star vs. a 37-year-old outfielder who frequently strikes out. Not much of a contest here again, with the Yanks cleaning this one up. Granderson has been solid until his recent DL trip. He certainly got the Red Sox attention with two big home runs in the opening series. Advantage: NYY

Right Field: Nick Swisher vs. J.D. Drew

If Drew made 6 million dollars a year, no one would think twice about this one. He's a superb defender with a plus arm. He has great range and plays the tricky Fenway right field well. He does get on base, regardless of the puzzling batting average. He deserves a lot of credit for carrying the team in 2008 when David Ortiz hurt his wrist. Though he drives us all crazy for the occasional day off, double play ball to the right side, or taking a third strike, he's better than Swisher. Advantage: BOS

Designated Hitter: Nick Johnson vs. David Ortiz/Mike Lowell

Think it's officially time to put Mike Lowell into the mix here? Me too. Though Ortiz has had a few nice games lately, if we're feeling that good about it, we're all in trouble. Lowell has been solid when given the chance, but Ortiz has killed them time and again with his strike outs and lack of homers, RBIs, and smiles. Breaking the bat over his leg in front of Francona a few weeks ago couldn't be more wrong; to show up the manager who protected you when you got caught with 'roids is just mean. To make things awkward in the clubhouse for a class-act like Lowell -- who has taken his fair share of poor treatment by management -- is even worse. Nick Johnson, however, is equally as bad. I give the advantage to the Red Sox, only because Lowell is a respectable hitter and Johnson has more career DL trips than the NBA playoffs have tattoos. Advantage: (gulp) BOS

Starting Rotation: Lester, Beckett, Lackey, Dice-K, Buchholz vs. Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte, Hughes, Vazquez

As bad as Vazquez has been, this one isn't close. It's my duty to write the truth and what I think. On paper, I think the Red Sox have the potential and ability to be better; that isn't the case so for in 2010. Beckett has been dreadful. Lester and Lackey have been inconsistent, and Buchholz has had his share of stinkers. Dice-K is as unpredictable as the weather. So far this year (again, so far...), the Yankees rotation has been much, much better. With Pettitte hurt and Sergio Mitre making starts for them, along with Vazquez stinking up the joint, the Sox have a chance to turn this around. However, the numbers and results don't lie. Advantage: NYY

Bullpen: Rivera, Chamberlain, Robertson, Marte, etc. vs. Papelbon, Bard, Okajima, Ramirez, Delcarmen, etc.

The Red Sox bullpen opened the season with two or three relievers who don't belong in the American League, maybe even baseball. The Yankees have their share of problems, but haven't blown games. Okajima, we all love him, can't get out of jams when he inherits runners. Daniel Bard, for some reason, hasn't been called out. I understand he throws 98-100 MPH and looks cool out there, but he's blown several games already and has given up some brutal poorly-timed home runs. Sorry, just reporting the truth. Delcarmen should have been dealt when he had value, and Ramon Ramirez throws strikes as often as I refuse to swear. Papelbon has been very good and overall, some of the reliever's numbers aren't that bad. However, the Yankees have out performed and probably have a better bullpen when Joba is at his best in the 8th inning. I do think the Yankees have the better pen, but it is so close that we will call it a draw. Advantage: None

Manager: "G.I." Joe Girardi vs. Tito Francona

His nickname in his first season as Red Sox manager was "Francoma," criticized for managerial decisions that made fans wonder if he was in a coma. He's been outstanding with his moves; he rarely, if ever, loses a game by himself for the team. Girardi deserves credit for winning a World Series without doubt, but he isn't a great manager, or even a real good one. He did well with Florida in 2006, but he manages the bullpen as well as the Enron people did their company. Two World Series is more than one. Advantage: BOS

Your totals... Yankees win 6 categories, Red Sox win 4. Though that seems close enough, when you look at the core positions: Rotation, Up the Middle (Catcher, Shortstop, Centerfield), and middle of the order, it's not as close as it seems. Any Given game day... Any Given game Day...

JMO