Dominant pitching staffs meet in World Series

	Jose Contreras has walked only two batters in 25 innings this postseason. AP

One thing is for sure: a drought will end. The White Sox' 88-year streak without a world championship is the second longest in baseball (only the Cubs have waited longer). The Astros' 43-year-wait is the fifth-longest. Here are some early observations on both teams and a prediction:

• It's a turn-back-the-clock Fall Classic: two teams unfamiliar with one another that rely on power pitching to cover for middling offenses. Chicago ranked ninth in the AL in runs, Houston was 11th in the NL. Both managers love the sacrifice bunt, which figures to be the weapon of choice in this low-scoring Series, as well as the stolen base.

• Wet, cold weather for the weekend in Chicago also favors the pitchers and low-scoring games.

• Roger Clemens, 43, will become the second oldest pitcher to start a World Series game. (Jack Quinn, then 46, took a no-decision for the 1929 A's).

• Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye, Scott Podsednik, Joe Crede and Juan Uribe are combined .404 lifetime against Clemens (23-for-57).

• As they did against the Angels, the hot White Sox starting pitchers can prey upon another aggressive lineup. Only three NL teams walked less often than Houston.

• The movement on Chicago RHP Jose Contreras' splitter is unlike anything the Astros have seen. But will bullpen rust haunt Chicago early in the Series?

• Unlike some AL clubs in years past, Chicago should not be hurt too much without the DH on the road. The Sox were 7-2 in NL parks this year.

• Houston outfielder Chris Burke was a breakout player in the NLCS and could remain an X-factor.

• The Astros should be comforted to know that they'll have Roy Oswalt lined up for Game 7 if the Series goes the limit. But at that point Oswalt will be pushing a whopping 275 innings for the year.

Bottom Line

Chicago, the best road team in the majors this year, can steal a game or two in the bedlam of Minute Maid Park. In an epic Series reminiscent of the taut 1991 thriller between Minnesota and Atlanta, the White Sox win in seven.