THE FIRST LOOK

BOSTON vs. ST. LOUIS

THE MATCHUPS

Batting: The Red Sox won a seven-game series without an RBI from Manny Ramirez, which speaks to their depth, along with the fact Johnny Damon and Mark Bellhorn spent the first half of the series in slumps and the second half hitting Yankee-killing home runs. David Ortiz ended Game 3 of the division series with a home run, Game 4 of the league championship series with a home run and Game 5 of the league championship series with a single, then started Game 7 with a home run. The Cardinals counter with Larry Walker, Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds, two through five, the foundation for one of the game’s most potent offenses. Pujols, Edmonds and Rolen combined for 122 home runs in the regular season; Rolen was slumping in the postseason before hitting the go-ahead home run Thursday night. Tony Womack is a pest on the bases.

Edge: Cardinals.

Pitching: Curt Schilling’s wobbly ankle will continue to be a problem for the Red Sox and the Cardinals might be more inclined to bunt, forcing him to move around more. Pedro Martinez has strung together three consecutive decent starts in the postseason, though he wasn’t too sharp in relief Wednesday night, and closer Keith Foulke has been automatic. Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield is scheduled to start Game 1, followed by Schilling and Martinez. Derek Lowe pitched so well in Game 7 against the Yankees he earned a Game 4 start over Bronson Arroyo. The Cardinals counter with Woody Williams, Matt Morris, Jeff Suppan and Jason Marquis. Right-hander Chris Carpenter, a 15-game winner in the regular season, has not pitched in the postseason because of a nerve injury in his arm but could become available in the World Series.

Edge: Cardinals.

Intangibles: The pressure is thick in Boston, where the locals have 86 years invested in the Curse, soothed somewhat by beating the Yankees on four consecutive nights, the last two in the Bronx. But the Red Sox, under the loose reins of Manager Terry Francona, qualified for their fifth World Series since 1918 anyway. Known better for their sluggers, the Cardinals could put small-ball stress on the Red Sox, and they field five Gold Glovers. The Red Sox and Cardinals met in the 1967 World Series, Bob Gibson winning Game 7, 7-2, at Fenway Park for the Cardinals.

Edge: Red Sox.