FIRST LOOK

WORLD SERIES

ANGELS vs. SAN FRANCISCO

Regular-season record: Giants, 95-66; Angels, 99-63.

Head to head: Did not play.

How they got here: Giants defeated Atlanta in NLDS, 3-2; defeated St. Louis in NLCS, 4-1; Angels defeated New York Yankees in ALDS, 3-1; defeated Minnesota in ALCS, 4-1.

Team batting: Giants, .267, fourth in NL; Angels, .282, first in AL.

Runs scored: Giants, 783, third in NL; Angels, 851, fourth in AL.

Home runs: Giants, 198, second in NL; Angels, 152, tied for 10th in AL.

Team ERA: Giants, 3.54, second in NL; Angels, 3.69, second in AL.

*--* HOW THEY MATCH UP

*--*

CATCHER

Benito Santiago, Giants vs. Bengie Molina, Angels: Santiago resurrected his career from the scrap heap and has been a clutch hitter in the playoffs. Molina led the AL in percentage of base stealers thrown out, but had trouble preventing wild pitches against the Twins. Edge: Giants.

FIRST BASE

J.T. Snow, Giants vs. Scott Spiezio, Angels: If there’s a better defensive first baseman than Spiezio, it’s probably Snow. Spiezio is a better hitter. Edge: Angels.

SECOND BASE

Jeff Kent, Giants vs. Adam Kennedy, Angels: Kent has won an MVP award and is one of the best-hitting second basemen of all time. Kennedy probably won’t hit three homers in a game again, and he sits against left-handers. Edge: Giants.

THIRD BASE

David Bell, Giants vs. Troy Glaus, Angels: Bell is a good defender and is steady at the plate. Glaus has more power and is better on defense. Edge: Angels.

SHORTSTOP

Rich Aurilia, Giants vs. David Eckstein, Angels: Both are average on defense. Aurilia had an off year at the plate, while Eckstein has been the catalyst on offense for Anaheim. Edge: Giants.

LEFT FIELD

Barry Bonds, Giants vs. Garret Anderson, Angels: Barry Bonds is, well, Barry Bonds. Anderson is an underrated player and a key to the Angel offense. Edge: Giants.

CENTER FIELD

Kenny Lofton, Giants vs. Darin Erstad, Angels: Lofton has given the Giants a solid leadoff man and is their only real base-stealing threat. Erstad is a perennial Gold Glove candidate who does all the little things that help you win ballgames. Edge: Angels.

RIGHT FIELD

Reggie Sanders, Giants vs. Tim Salmon, Angels: Sanders has been through a World Series before -- last season with Arizona. Salmon is the comeback player of the year, but he struggled against the Twins. Edge: Angels.

DESIGNATED HITTER

Take your pick, Giants vs. Brad Fullmer/Shawn Wooten, Angels: The Giants have several options among Shawon Dunston, Tsuyoshi Shinjo, Marvin Benard and Pedro Feliz. Fullmer and Wooten are solid for Angels. Edge: Angels.

ROTATION

The Angel quartet of Jarrod Washburn, Kevin Appier, Ramon Ortiz and John Lackey were solid against the Twins, though Appier provided some scary moments. The Giants will rely on Russ Ortiz, Jason Schmidt, Kirk Rueter and Livan Hernandez. Edge: Angels.

BULLPEN

The Angels have one of the best bullpens in baseball, and a premier closer in Troy Percival. The Giants have Felix Rodriguez to match strikeouts with Francisco Rodriguez, plus Robb Nen to close. Percival is better than Nen. Edge: Angels.