At last, the Big Show has arrived and, despite the predictions of many, it is 100% New York-free. Anthony Statler and David Medsker break down each team, position by position, and offer their brilliant, armchair expert analysis on who takes the prize. (Keep in mind that at the beginning of the season, Medsker predicted the White Sox would beat the Mets in the World Series. Whoops.)

Catcher: Yadier Molina vs. Ivan Rodriguez
Johnny Bench is in hog heaven. Pudge and the youngest Flying Molina Brother are the hardest catchers to run against in baseball. The similarities, however, end there. Despite Molina’s heroic two-run homer in Game 7 of the NLCS, he’s actually a lousy hitter (.216-29-6-49). Look at that batting average again: it’s 84 points below Pudge’s average during the regular season. Plus, Pudge has been here before, winning it all as a member of the 2003 Marlins. He’ll be the calm in the storm for the Tigers youngsters.
Edge: Tigers

First Base: Albert Pujols vs. Sean Casey
If Casey is healthy (he missed the final two games of the ALCS), he is extremely hard to strike out and provides the Tigers a nice line-drive hitter from the left side of the plate. With no disrespect to Casey, however, Pujols is the best pure-hitter in this series and possibly in all of baseball. Pujols can hit for power, average and is amazing in the clutch (he hit .397 with runners in scoring position in the regular season).
Edge: Cardinals.

Second Base: Ronnie Belliard vs. Placido Polanco
Polanco has the edge in terms of batting average and fielding percentage (six errors to Belliard’s 11), but Belliard has considerably more pop than Polanco, hitting 13 home runs this season to Polanco’s four. The Cards get another edge, but this Series will not be won or lost by who’s playing second base.
Edge: Cardinals

Shortstop: David Eckstein vs. Carlos Guillen
Eckstein is a gritty player who will do whatever he has to do to make a play both in the field and at bat. Although he struggled in the ALCS (hitting just .180), Guillen led Detroit in batting average, runs scored, stolen bases and on base percentage in the regular season. He is also one of the most underrated middle infielders in the game.
Edge: Tigers.

Third Base: Scott Rolen vs. Brandon Inge
File this one under who’d a thunk it: Brandon Inge actually outslugged Scott Rolen this year, hitting 27 home runs – in the 9-hole, no less – to Rolen’s 22. However, in every other category, both offensive and defensive, Rolen wipes the floor with Inge. He strikes out almost half as often, hits for higher average, and is a multiple Gold Glove winner. Inge, um…hey, look! Another dinger! To Inge’s credit, at least he’s healthy enough to play every day. But the Cardinals aren’t nearly as worried about facing Inge as the Tigers are about facing Rolen.
Edge: Cardinals

Outfield: So Taguchi/Preston Wilson, Jim Edmonds, Juan Encarnacion vs. Craig Monroe, Curtis Granderson, Magglio Ordonez
When Edmonds is healthy, he has the ability to do it all at the plate. St. Louis has also found a nice balance with Taguchi and Wilson, but Encarnacion has lacked power and will chase pitches. Even though he hit the home run to send the Tigers into the WS, Ordonez struggled at the plate for much of the ALCS. However, he can get hot at any moment and if Monroe can continue is tear (.429, one HR, four RBI in the ALCS), Detroit is going to be lethal. Defensively, Edmonds and Granderson (who has tons of speed) are the best out of this group, while Ordonez and Encarnacion have had their fair share of issues in right field (although Ordonez has played well defensively in the postseason).
Edge: Tigers, slightly.

Starting Pitching: Kenny Rogers, Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson, Zach Miner vs. Chris Carpenter, Jeff Weaver, Jeff Suppan, Jason Marquis, Anthony Reyes
The Tigers’ ERA was seven tenths of a point better than that of the Cardinals. Opponents batted 11 points lower against the Tigers than the Cardinals (.257 to .268). The Cardinals gave up 104 more earned runs than the Tigers. And those are the regular season numbers. The Tigers’ playoff pitching line? 7-1 record, 2.92 ERA, 52/22 K/BB ratio. The Cardinals have pitched great this postseason too (7-4, 2.97, 70/40), but the bloom finally comes off of Jeff Weaver’s rose.
Edge: Tigers

Bullpen:
Former Brave Adam Wainwright, Tyler Johnson and Randy Flores have overachieved thus far for the Cardinals, but they are about to play on quite another different level. The Tigers have an overpowering pen that has really come together through the playoffs. Rookie flamethrower Joel Zumaya has the ability to shut down top hitters while closer Todd Jones has been lights out after an up and down regular season. Detroit has also gotten quality outings from Fernando Rodney, Jamie Walker and Wilfredo Ledezma.
Edge: Tigers.

Bench Players:
Aside from So Taguchi and his gaudier-than-gaudy line (1.000, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3.750 OPS), the Cardinals bench is hitting between .000 (John Rodriguez) and .227, and that hitter is…wait for it…Scott Spezio? That’s right, the alleged Mr. Clutch is actually hitting near the Mendoza line, though I suppose that lends credence to Reggie Jackson’s claims that batting average is overrated. Taguchi’s heroics aside, I’d still rather face him than Marcus Thames and his 26 home runs.
Edge: Tigers

Manager: Tony LaRusa vs. Jim Leyland
The two friends have enough postseason experience to make Tommy Lasorda blush. Despite having possibly the least talented Cardinals team in recent years, LaRusa keeps getting the most out of his players every time they take the field. The job that Leyland has done in Detroit has been nothing short of remarkable. Leyland has a nice mix of young and veteran players that he knows how to use in all situations. His players have learned how to win and have the utmost respect for Leyland.
Edge: Even.

Anthony’s prediction:
I guess the old adage of the hottest teams at the end of the season usually win the World Series. Both of these teams were left for dead at the end of the regular season – and rightfully so – as both squads stumbled into the postseason. However, credit must be given to both of these teams, because all that matters in the end is winning ballgames. Sorry St. Louis, your time is up though. I’ve never seen a team of destiny quite like the Detroit Tigers, and their pitching will be too much for the Cards.
Tigers in 4.

David’s Prediction:
What Anthony said. Detroit’s had a chance to rest at the time when they needed it the most, while St. Louis had to beg, borrow and steal to make it this far. Say goodnight, Tony.
Tigers in 5