Catcher: Yorvit Torrealba (.255-8-47) v. Jason Varitek (.255-17-68) Varitek is a veteran who’s been here before and offers more offensive punch than Torrealba. Torrealba however might actually call a better game. Edge: Red Sox

1st Base: Todd Helton (.320-17-91) v. Kevin Youkillis (.288-16-83) This one is closer than the numbers show - especially away from Coors where Helton’s career average is a lot lower than the .320 he’s posted so far. At Coors however he’s a killer and the team leader for the Rockies. Edge: Rockies

2nd Base: Kaz Matsui (.288-4-37 with 32 steals) v. Dustin Pedroia (.317-8-50) Pedroia’s had a wonderful rookie season and has shown himself to be a good hitter. He doesn’t have Matsui’s speed but he’ll out hit him. Edge: Red Sox

3rd Base: Garrett Atkins (.301-25-111) v. Mike Lowell (.324-21-120) This one is close. Lowell was one of the best 3B in the AL this year and Atkins had consistently been this good over the past several years. Edge: Even.

SS: Troy Tulowitzki (.291-24-99) v. Julio Lugo (.237-8-73 with 33 steals) If you dismiss Lugo’s speed from the equation this one isn’t even close - especially defensively. Edge: Rockies.

RF: Brad Hawpe (.291-29-116) v. J.D. Drew (.270-11-64) If all you take into account is the numbers this looks like a gross mismatch but as someone said during Boston’s series with Cleveland "Who’s that guy wearing J.D. Drew’s jersey?" Apparently it’s a different J.D. Drew from the one whose regular season play was so lackluster. If he shows up again this category is even, if not..... Edge: Rockies

CF: Wily Taveras (.320-2-24 with 33 steals) v. Coco Crisp (.268-6-60 with 28 steals) /Jacoby Ellsbury (.353-3-18 with 9 steals in 116 AB) Taveras is a slap hitter with a lot of speed and who can set things up for the hitter who follow him in the lineup and the same can be said for Crisp, but Crisp has struggled mightily recently and that might mean that rookie Ellsbury is called on to step in. The Red Sox could really use the speed against the weak arm of Yorvit Torrealba though. Edge: Rockies

LF: Matt Holliday (.340-36-137) v. Manny Ramirez (.296-20-88) Ramirez hasn’t been himself for much of the season and lingering injuries and struggles have turned him from a great hitter into a merely good one for much of this season and his age may be a factor. Holliday is coming off an MVP season and has been just about as clutch as you could imagine. This one isn’t close. Edge: Rockies.

DH: David Ortiz (.332-35-116) v. Ryan Spilborghs (.299-11-51 in 264 AB) In games with a DH this is a very uneven matchup as Big Papi is one of the best hitters, especially in clutch situations and the Rockies will have to settle for pot luck in the position. However in games at Coors where there is no DH the whole situation changes.
Edge: Red Sox.

SP: Beckett/Schilling/Matsuzaka v. Francis, Jimenez, Fogg Across the board the Red Sox have an edge in starting pitching, but this series isn’t likely to have too many pitchers duels. Edge Red Sox.

Middle Relief: When it comes to the bullpen the Rockies have been masterful, relying on a cadre of ex-closers (LaTroy Hawkins, Matt Herges, Brian Fuentes, Ryan Speier) who can effectively kill an offense an inning at a time. They have enough depth that the Rockies don’t have to wait until their starter is in trouble before replacing him. In contrast the Red Sox pen has been shaky and relying on anyone after Mike Timlin or Hideki Okajima is a big gamble.

Closer: Manny Corpas v. Jonathan Papelbon Both guys have been lights out this season but Papelbon’s stuff is just slightly better. Edge Red Sox. Defense: Colorado set a record for best fielding percentage of all time and committed just 68 errors in 163 games. The Red Sox weren’t bad either with just 83 miscues to their credit but no question Colorado wins this matchup. Edge Colorado

Intangibles: The Rockies have been sitting on their hands for a week and resting, healing and trying to stay game ready. But that is an awful lot of time for a team who’s been a on a hot streak. Still the rest and time off should have them fresh and relaxed going into this series - as should the fact they have nothing to prove. Is the momentum still there? If it is, the Red Sox had best watch out. For the Red Sox they’ve just come off a long series, but with a three game winning streak which was fueled by massive offense. They’ve got to guard against an emotional letdown and not take Colorado for granted. Edge: Even

Managers: Clint Hurdle v. Terry Francona: Francona has been here before while Hurdle is facing the biggest show for the first time. He’s done a masterful job but the Rockies haven’t been in too many bad situations thus far in the playoffs. Edge: Red Sox

Other factors: 1) The Coors field effect probably isn’t going to be a major factor as it’s not one of the best hitting parks in the NL anymore while Fenway is one of the best in the AL.
2) Without the DH at Coors the Red Sox will be forced to play without one of their big bats - either David Ortiz, Mike Lowell or Kevin Youkilis is going to end up on the bench. Youkilis is the likely choice, but Ortiz’s knee isn’t 100%.
3) The Rockies have a lot of lefties they can throw - that could reduce J.D. Drew to a bench role for much of the series.

Prediction: Rockies in 5