The ALCS figures to be a far more competitive series than the Division Series. The Red Sox and Indians tied for the best record in baseball, with the Red Sox claiming home field advantage in the series based on their head-to-head advantage during the regular season. Given the superiority of the American League, you could make the argument that this is baseball's real World Series: a match-up of the game's two best teams.

A look at how the teams stack up, position-by-position

FIRST BASE

Kevin Youkilis vs. Ryan Garko

Garko gets the edge in power, but Youkilis is more patient and a more complete hitter. Defensively, it’s not close – Garko is average at best while Youkilis played errorless ball at first. Edge: Red Sox

SECOND BASE

Dustin Pedroia vs. Asdrubal Cabrera

The Indians thought they had solved their second base vacancy with an off-season trade for Josh Barfield, but he slumped miserably in August and lost his job to Cabrera, a rookie. Pedroia could be the A.L. Rookie of the Year and has a post-season series under his belt. Edge: Red Sox

SHORTSTOP

Julio Lugo vs. Jhonny Peralta

Peralta bounced back from a miserable 2006 season and showed good power (21 homers) for the position. Lugo struggled for the first three months before improving in the second half, but still hit just .237. Neither player is spectacular in the field and range is an issue for both. Edge: Indians

THIRD BASE

Mike Lowell vs. Casey Blake

Lowell was the Red Sox MVP, carrying them in the first half when David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez started slowly. He made a lot of errors in the first half, but steadied himself as the season wore down. Blake, converted back from the outfield, is a serviceable third baseman and productive bat for the lower third of Cleveland’ lineup. Edge: Red Sox

LEFT FIELD

Manny Ramirez vs. Kenny Lofton

A matchup of two former teammates, Ramirez has the clear offensive edge and, based on the Division Series, is hitting as well as he has all season. Ramirez can be an adventure in the outfield, but has mastered left field at Fenway. Lofton, back with the Tribe for his third stay, injected some spark when he was obtained mid-season. Not the menace he once was on the bases, he still runs fairly well, though he’s dipped with the glove. Edge: Red Sox

CENTER FIELD

Grady Sizemore vs. Coco Crisp

Crisp, like Ramirez, is a former Indian. His defense this season, his second in Boston, was Gold Glove-caliber as he became more familiar and comfortable with Fenway’s center field. Crisp is among the game’s best fastball hitters, but is streaky at the plate. Sizemore has yet to have the monster season that some predict for him, but he’s a complete player with power, speed and defensive ability. Edge: Indians

RIGHT FIELD

J.D. Drew/Bobby Kielty vs.

Franklin Gutierrez/Trot Nixon

Drew came on nicely in September to (partly)

salvage his otherwise disappointing season, then looked out of sorts in the Division Series. Kielty will likely start the two games against lefty C.C. Sabathia. Gutierrez is seen by some as a star in the making, with good power (13 homers in 271 at-bats), though he’s still somewhat raw. Nixon could get a start against Josh Beckett since he can still get around on good fastballs, but is now limited in the field. Even.

DESIGNATED HITTER

David Ortiz vs. Travis Hafner

Hafner’s production fell off this season (he went from 42 homers and 117 RBI in 2006 to 24 homers and 100 RBI this season) but is still a force with awesome strength. Good as he is, though, he’s no match for Ortiz, who remains the game’s best big-game hitter. Edge: Red Sox

CATCHER

Jason Varitek vs. Victor Martinez

Varitek has the edge in experience and no one calls a better game, but he’s spotty at the plate and hasn’t thrown well. Martinez has gone from being a strictly offensive player to one who has improved greatly – both in receiving and throwing. Edge: Indians

BENCH

With solid lineups for both teams, neither will ask much from the reserves. The Indians have Barfield, Nixon, Kelly Shoppach and Jason Blake while the Sox have Kielty, Jacoby Ellsbury, Alex Cora and Doug Mirabelli. Even.

STARTING PITCHING

Beckett may be the best starter still pitching in the post-season and his October pedigree (three complete-game shutouts in six career starts) speaks for itself. Ditto for Curt Schilling. But the Indians top two of C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona is as good, and the Indians depth (Paul Byrd and Jake Westbrook) claims a slight edge over the Sox’ third and fourth starters (Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield). Edge: Indianas

BULLPEN

Cleveland rates a small edge in set-up relief with the duo of Rafael Betancourt and Rafael Perez rating a small edge over Hideki Okajima and Manny Delcarmen. In the closer’s role, however, Joe Borowski is no match for Jonathan Papelbon. Edge: Red Sox

MANAGER

Terry Francona vs. Eric Wedge

Wedge has come of age with this team, overseeing its growth. But Francona has far more post-season experience and his 14-6 career record in the post-season is worth noting. Edge: Red Sox