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While your all-star balloting list is impressive, I think perhaps the most important metric in comparing two offenses is blatanly omitted. Total runs scored, which Boston will be leading the league in for the 3rd consecutive year this year. EDIT: I decided to look these up as well. The Sox out performed the Cardinals as a team in all of these categories: OPS, SLG, OBP, BA, HR, 2B, 3B, and scored 94 more runs. Comparing the two is juvenile. If you take total record (regular and post season) the Cardinals were (112-65) and the Sox were (109-67), which is only 2 games better in the loss column over 176 games. The Sox had better pitching, as you admitted, and a much better offense, as I'm claiming. How aren't they the better team? I just don't get the logic. EDIT II: You did a run down of the starting lineups position by position, and I can't argue with your assessment there. To be fair, you'd need to do a pitcher by pitcher comparison. Otherwise, the Sox advantage is grouped together, lessening the effect of a cumulative result.

I think I've made my position on this topic abundantly clear in the thread. Final regular season record matters, but it isn't the be-all end-all determinant for deciding who the best team is. Look at all of the other variables.

I'm done with this. While you may have read my post, you obviously didn't get it. I can't argue with someone who is incapable of reading and comprehending.

No, not fair. If the Sox or Yankees win the WS, I don't think I'd call either the best team in MLB. This year, with their improved pitching staff and still deadly lineup, I'd give that honor to the Cardinals. Last year the Sox had a better rotation than the Cardinals and a better offense. Boston's BP was good too, maybe not as good as the Cardinals, but 2 out of 3 tips the bill in their favor in my opinion. Take away one bad month (May) at the begining of the season (which leaves you plenty of time to recover), and the Sox would have competed with St. Louis for the best record. I have never once said that the Series winner is the best team in baseball, just that last year's Series winner was. Usually, I will admit that the team with the best record is the best team. But for me to do so, I have to look at all the variables. Starting rotation, offensive lineup, runs scored, OPS, Bullpen. If a team is close in wins to the team with the best record, then those variables come into play (especially if those teams meet in the Series and one team sweeps the other).

Bonds up with runners on the corners, 2 out.

Ballgame.

One more strike.

Pap's splitter is improving.

Easy there Paps, no more 59 footers.

I love the way Papi is stroking the ball, and you just can't pitch to him close and late. That being said, there is no way a DH wins it if a position player has similar stats. You guys should just accept that as a fact.

Tizzle!!

11-pitch AB in the 2nd....ground rule double.

I would get excited about a base runner, but Kapler hasn't looked good at the plate tonight. Prove me wrong Gabe.

Do something to get rid of it! Take a cold shower, sacrafice a chicken, lick a toad,... something!!!!

Isn't managing the pitching staff the biggest part of the manager's job?

The probability of Varitek (who follows Manny) hitting a single is greater than the probability of Manny hitting a HR. If they IBB Ortiz and Ramirez, then a runner is in scoring position in a tie game. I can't believe this needs explaining, but I'm a nice guy.

Tito lost his job tonight if the Sox don't make the postseason.

Ok boys, pick Mike up off the floor with a little offense.

Did something happen to Bradford? He didn't pitch the last two days.

What happened to Chadford? He's the righty specialist guy. Wells bomb. I gotta take some time to figure out why that f***ing move was made.

Timlin in the 7th? Um, who's the closer?

Good differential on the FB/Change.

Get the hook warmed up Tito.

The Cap'n has been hitting a lot of weak grounders to the right side lately. I hope he works that out soon.

Airmail!