But Chicago’s 3-4-5 hitters can be deadly. Jermaine Dye drove in 86 runs this year, Paul Konerko 100 and Carl Everett  87. Cleanup man Konerko is hot at the right time, having driven in 11 runs while belting four home runs during the 2005 postseason. Obviously, it’s important when your best power hitter comes through at the right time; just ask the Angels on the topic of Vladimir Guerrero.

The White Sox also have received clutch contributions from Joe Crede, Scott Podsednik and Aaron Rowand, once again illustrating a team that feels it up and down the lineup at just the right time.

It’s hard to argue that the Astros are receiving inferior play from their key batsmen during these playoffs. Morgan Ensberg has nine ribbies, Lance Berkman eight and Jason Lane six. They’ve done a splendid job and should be commended. And they will have been, continuously, from the last out Wednesday night in St. Louis to the first pitch Saturday in Chicago.

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That’s part of the problem. The Astros feel like a team that has endured so much disappointment just to get here. There was a finality to their clincher against the Cardinals. They made the World Series. The goal had finally been accomplished. Guys like Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell could put a capper on their careers. Said Bagwell: “My career is coming to an end.  I don’t know if we’re ever going to get back. And it’s been a long time coming.” For Clemens and Pettitte, this is gravy.

I don’t want to say the Astros are just happy to be here. But on some level, they’re content. They’re satisfied.

The White Sox don’t have that same karma. They’re delightfully clueless. They’re just playing ball and winning games. They seem to understand the magnitude of being in the World Series, they just seem more focused on winning ballgames.

So batten down the hatches, Chicago. There’s a shaker coming.

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