First off, let me just say that I have a lot of respect for the Indians--and as a native Bostonian, the fact that they beat the Yankees makes me respect them even more. ("Yankees suck!")

But, the Vegas oddsmakers have the Red Sox as a favorite. Some are even calling the Red Sox a "heavy" favorite. Do you think The Tribe isn't getting enough respect or that people aren't giving them enough of a chance against the Red Sox?

You've got two bona fide aces in Sabathia and Carmona, and Byrd really made good work of us the last time he pitched against us. Your closer (Borowski) is a choke artist but your middle relief (especially Perez) impressed me with their performance against the Yankees.

My overall take is that the Indians have a slight edge in starting pitching, but the Sox have more bats and a solid bullpen, as well as more postseason experience. (prediction: Boston in 6).

(answers from Yankees fans not accepted).

Don't quite know how you can call a guy with 45 saves a choke artist, but he does keep people from changing the channel, that's for sure.

For me, its simple, Cleveland has been the hottest team in baseball for their last 48 games (only losing 14 of them). This wasn't even the easiest part of their schedule. In fact, they had their west coast road trip over that stretch. I see them continuing their momentum. Cleveland wins in 6 games.

I see Boston winning in 6 games.....I think CC will win game 1 for the tribe, Carmona will lose making the series 1-1......i think Boston will blow one of those other games (dont know which one)....and i think they will win in 6 games

Boston gonna win in 5. I tell you why. The Indians aren't as good as they looked against the Yankees. The Yankees always fold in the playoffs and they would have lost to anyone in the first round. Boston is much better than Cleveland all around. I like Beckett and Schilling matched up against anyone. Sabathia and Carmona had their good starts and now got nothing left in the tank.

The Indians have a real shot in the ALCS. During the last 2 months of the season thier offense improved from awful to above average. Their rottion never had any question with cc having a career year, and their bullpen is a very young talented one that is highly over rated.

Once the sox got eliminated which was like at the all-star break, I'v thought the Indians were going to win the World Series, even though they are like our division rivals behind the twins.
I feel that they have a strong enough pitching staff to shut down the Red Sox and their amazing offense. I think it will be Indians in 5.
Then the Indians will beat the Rockies in 6 for the World Series.

GET READY TO GET SCALPED WHEN POPI COMES TO TOWN.

i believe that his will go into 7 games. However, I will say that Clevland will win and go to the series. I am putting my money on cleveland to win the series. I would give the first game to the sox though for starting Beckett.

I love the indians chances in games 1 and 2. I have been watching every game that i could this year and I know that when cc and carmona are on, they can be unhittable. And for the guy who says they have nothing left in there tank, what the hell are you talking about???have you even watched the indians??.. I see the indians winning in 6 games. GO TRIBE!!!

I'm an Indians fan. I'm at peace with whatever happens. Boston's a good team, but I think this is the year for the Indians to go all the way and win the Series! Go Tribe!

The prevailing opinion among Major League Baseball enthusiasts is, simply, that Boston is the best team in baseball, though fans of Colorado, winners of 17 of the last 18, would make a solid argument for their Rockies.

The 2004 World Series champions begin pursuit of another flag Friday night at Fenway Park versus Cleveland, the American League's Central Division champions and this season's Yankee slayers.

Red Sox supporters point to a postseason experienced pitching staff that's anchored by Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling and a potent offense that's paced by David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.

Beckett and Schilling are a combined 11-2 with an impressive 1.88 ERA in 168 playoff innings.

Backing them up in the bullpen is Jonathan Papelbon, who has a career 1.62 ERA.

Ortiz and Ramirez belted four home runs in Boston's three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels in the first round of the postseason.

Professional Handicappers League member Steve Zukiel is going against conventional wisdom and picking the Indians, who toppled New York 3-1 in the opening series, to advance to the World Series for the first time since 1997, when Florida won in seven games.

"It is going to be a very entertaining series," Zukiel said.

"We know they both are going to score their fair share of runs, but as always, it is going to come down to pitching.

"With that being said, I believe the Tribe has the better overall pitching.

"If the BoSox don't care about winning, then they will put Eric Gagne in as much as possible.

"This guy has to be one of the most overrated relievers in baseball.

"I love the Tribe's bullpen.

"They have some great young pitching and I love the man they call Fausto (Carmona)."

Beckett was a minus $1.55 favorite over big C.C. Sabathia in the opener at Bodog early Thursday morning.

The Las Vegas Hilton opened the Red Sox at 10/1 and Indians at 30/1 to win the Fall Classic when odds were posted during last years World Series.

PHL member Bill Fishman says whichever American League club advances should be able to handle either Colorado or Arizona, who begin NLCS play Thursday night.

"The American league winner is far deeper then anything the National League will throw at them, pitchingwise and offensively," Fishman said.

"Arizona and Colorado are fun teams to watch, however."