Benches

Both teams have terrific role players who see time in the starting lineup. The Rays will platoon Rocco Baldelli (pictured) with Cliff Floyd at DH, and they are not afraid to use Baldelli or rookie Fernando Perez in right fi eld when Gabe Gross sits. The Rays have turned Ben Zobrist into a pretty good jack-of-all-trades. With Kevin Youkilis sliding over to third base, Mark Kotsay should see most of the action at fi st, which leaves Sean Casey glued to the bench. Alex Cora is one of the best utility infi elders in baseball. The Sox seem to have better depth at catcher with Kevin Cash and David Ross, two very good backstops. If something should happen to Dioner Navarro, the Rays would be stuck with journeyman Michel Hernandez.

Edge: Rays