BOSTON AT A GLANCE

Lineup

2B Jose Offerman: .294

3B John Valentin: .254

DH Brian Daubach: .294

SS Nomar Garciaparra: .357

LF Troy O’Leary: .280

1B Mike Stanley: .281

C Jason Varitek: .269

CF Darren Lewis: .240

RF Trot Nixon: .270

* Analysis: The Red Sox may not appear to match up very well with the Yankees, but the same was said about their chances against Cleveland. That was before the Red Sox scored 44 runs while winning the last three games over the Indians to overcome a two-game deficit. This team is on a roll, it’s loose and playing as if it has nothing to lose, Boston’s hopes received a huge boost with the return of ace Pedro Martinez on Monday night, and if shortstop Nomar Garciaparra’s right wrist is bothering him, it doesn’t show--Garciaparra hit .417 with two homers and four RBIs in the division series. Third baseman John Valentin went on a tear in the final three games against Cleveland, with eight hits, including three homers, and 11 RBIs in his last 13 at-bats. First baseman Mike Stanley hit .500 (10 for 20), second baseman Jose Offerman hit .389 (seven for 18) with six RBIs, and center fielder Darren Lewis hit .375 (six for 16).

* Key reserves: INF Lou Merloni (.254), INF Donnie Sadler (.280), C Scott Hatteberg (.275).

* Team batting: .278 (seventh in the league).

* Team pitching: 4.00 ERA (first in the league).

NEW YORK AT A GLANCE

Lineup

2B Chuck Knoblauch: .292

SS Derek Jeter: .349

RF Paul O’Neill: .285

CF Bernie Williams: .342

1B Tino Martinez: .263

DH Chili Davis: .269

LF Ricky Ledee: .276

3B Scott Brosius: .247

C Jorge Posada: .245

* Analysis: This was supposed to be the year the Yankees were vulnerable, the year the Indians would finally break through the pinstriped curtain to reach the World Series, but the Indians are gone, and the Yankees showed no signs of relinquishing their title against Texas, sweeping the division series and outscoring the Rangers, 14-1. Boston may have baseball’s best pitcher, but New York has the league’s deepest starting rotation, with Orlando Hernandez, David Cone, Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte. Cone didn’t pitch in the division series, but Manager Joe Torre has inserted him into the No. 2 spot, so if he needs the veteran right-hander in Game 6 he will be able to pitch on his regular four days’ rest. The only problem: Cone will start Game 2 on 11 days’ rest. As he has all season, shortstop Derek Jeter led the Yankees in the division series, hitting .455 (five for 11), and center fielder Bernie Williams hit .364 (four for 11) with six RBIs.

* Key reserves: DH Darryl Strawberry (.327), C Joe Girardi (.239), OF Chad Curtis (.262), C Jim Leyritz (.227).

* Team batting: .282 (third in the league).

* Team pitching: 4.13 ERA (second in the league).

KEYS TO THE SERIES

If the Yankees pitch around Garciaparra, as most teams have, O’Leary will be a key for the Red Sox offensively. Ramon Martinez, Pedro’s brother, needs to pitch as well as he did in Game 2 against Cleveland (two runs, five hits, 5 2/3 innings) for the Red Sox to have a chance, and the Boston bullpen will need to provide many quality innings. The Yankees would benefit from a more productive Chuck Knoblauch (.167 in the division series) in the leadoff spot.

* Records: Red Sox 94-68, Yankees 98-64.

* Head to head: Red Sox won season series, 8-4.