It almost doesn't seem fair. Or does it?

There's been lots of talk about the depleted Yankee roster. It's true they have lost Gary Sheffield, (though he could return today, according to Newsday.com) Hideki Matsui ( out for at least the next three months) and Shawn Chacon.

But the Red Sox too are without Coco Crisp (He may return within a week), David Wells (The Boston Herald reports he'll start Friday's game against Tampa Bay) and now Wily Mo Pena (missed a start).

Now I'm not saying that the injured reserve list is equal but it would appear as though the lineups are.

1 - Johnn Damon vs. Kevin Youkilis.
At this position Damon gets the edge. More runs, hits, rbis and home runs. Youkilis surprisingly has the same amount of total bases however.

2 -Derek Jeter vs. Mark Loretta
Jeter wins this battle as well. he is head and shoulders above Mark Loretta, though Loretta has been phenominal as of late batting .400 in the month of May.

3 - David Ortiz vs. Jason Giambi.
Surely David Ortiz gets the edge. But the difference is not as great as one may think. Ortiz has 14 home runs and 41 rbis to Giambi's 12 and 35.

4 - Manny vs. A-Rod.
Regrettably you have to give the edge to A-Rod here as well. He has outscored and out hit Ramirez.

5 - Trot Nixon vs. Jorge Podada
Let's call it a tie. The both have as many at bats and are of equal value in the five hole.

6 - Robinson Cano vs. Jason Varitek
Here surprisingly another tie exists. Varitek hasn't been the force that he was even a year ago. Perhaps he is wearing down, but although the offensive numbers aren't there no one can question what he brings to the pitchers. Even with the .230 average he has surpassed or equaled Cano's numbers.

7 - Bernie Williams vs. Mike Lowell
Here is when things begin to change dramatically. Lowell is almost back to his 2003-4 numbers. He is a doubles king and as a result kicks Williams but in most if not all categories.

8 - Terrance Long vs. Willie Harris
Another virtual tie.

9 - Melky Cabrera vs. Alex Cora/Alex Gonzalez
Believe it or not, at this stage of the season. under these conditions. Gonzalez gets the edge. Melky's 1 rbi just isn't going to cut it.

Still the offensive edge goes to the Yankees, if only slightly.

One could argue that the pitching thus far has been equal as well. Though, the loss of Carl Pavano (thank God the Sox didn't acquire this guy) hurts the pinstriped ones. The Sox starters have only one more win than those of New York's starting five.

The Hartford Courant has it right, defense it the biggest difference between these two teams. The Sox currently lead the majors, not just the AL, in defense with a fielding percentage of .991. Compare that to te Yankees' .980 showing. In fact, the Sox have only recorded 14 errors, while A-Rod alone has eight. Pretty telling.

And though defense may only be 10-15% of the game, that is the difference between first and second in the East. And that is most important with the emergene of winning teams in the Central.

It also helps to have a healthy Curt Schilling. I must admit I've been a little worried about Schill,. However, he has gotten a little bit craftier and looks to be be mixing up his pitches well. His curve, which up to this year I hadn't seen much of, has been a huge difference maker - crossing up the batter who was looking for the splitter. His effectiveness has the New York Times wondering if Randy Johnson will do for the Yankees, what Schilling has done for Boston.

If I were a Yankee fan I wouldn't count on it.

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