THEY'RE OFFENSIVE: The Cardinals can score. Just look at their lineup, which features four consecutive potential cleanup hitters: Larry Walker second, Albert Pujols third, Scott Rolen fourth and Jim Edmonds fifth. Just look at their numbers, which would rank among the top five in the AL: a .278 average, 855 runs, 214 homers, a .460 slugging percentage, a .344 on-base percentage.
LEATHER KINGS: The Cardinals usually don't beat themselves. Five of their eight starters have won Gold Gloves, and they take very good care of the baseball. In 11 playoff games, they made one error.
PITCHING IN: The Cards just missed leading the NL in team ERA, but the number can be deceiving. They had the best bullpen in NL, compiling 57 saves and a 3.01 ERA, but their rotation ranked only in the middle of the pack. And it looks even thinner in the playoffs, with Jeff Suppan evolving into the ace.
THE GENIUS: Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is prepared for anything, and sometimes that can be the difference. Terry Francona has managed to get the Red Sox here, but La Russa has been here before and has it all figured out.
THEY HAVE A CURSE, TOO: The Red Sox are trying to overcome decades of failure. The Cardinals are fighting more recent history - they led the majors with 105 wins, but the team with the best record hasn't won the World Series since the Yankees in 1998.
Five things about the Red Sox
THE CURSE: The Cardinals are a formidable opponent, but the Red Sox also are battling 85 years of history, carrying the burden of all of New England as they try to win the Series for the first time since 1918. It could get heavy.
FRIENDLY FENWAY: There may be more of a homefield advantage at Fenway Park than any other stadium in either league, what with the quirky outfield, odd dimensions and roaring crowd, and the Sox have learned to take advantage of it. The Sox hit 46 points higher at Fenway than on the road and scored 1.1 more runs a game.
THE BIG SCHILL: The Red Sox got a huge boost of confidence when Curt Schilling returned to the mound with sutures in his injured right ankle and pitched very well in Game 6 of the ALCS. They'll be counting on him to do it again, maybe twice.
THE MANE EVENT: Wild and loose has been a seasonlong description of the players' attitudes, as well as their hairstyles. Being so free-spirited turned out to be a big plus, because there was no panic when they got down 3-0 to the Yankees.
THE RULES ARE DIFFERENT: For the three games in St. Louis, the Sox have to move DH David Ortiz to first base, which weakens them defensively, and have to bench Kevin Millar (or move him to rightfield and bench Trot Nixon), which hurts them offensively. And they have to send their pitchers, including Pedro Martinez in Game 3, to the plate, which could be a real adventure.
THE DIFFERENCE
Both teams can hit well, though the Red Sox might be a little better. Both teams can field well, though the Cardinals might be a little better. Both teams are a little short on pitching, though the Cardinals might be a little shorter. So what it comes down to is how good the Cardinals pitchers are. If they do well, they have a chance. But if the Red Sox wear them down, it could be over quickly.
