Game 5 of the Atlanta/Houston series began briskly with Craig Biggio ramming a ground ball into left field for a single, though the Astros failed to drive him in. Rafael Furcal led off the bottom of the first with a walk. Jose Vizcaino made an impressive diving catch of a low line drive hit to the left side of the infield by J.D. Drew, keeping Furcal at first. Chipper Jones then hit a ground ball to the right side of the infield, which struck Furcal in the foot for an out as he ran from first to second. The ball subsequently ricocheted into center, allowing Jones to safely reach first, where he remained when the inning expired.

Boston at New York The Red Sox possess a superior offense to the Yankees and are at least comparable in every other area, so we expect New York to fall before Boston's bats. Boston in 6.

Houston at St. Louis While Roger Clemens did not quite match our expectations in the division series, we still expect the Astros' pitching to contain the Cardinals' offense. Houston in 6.

Houston at Boston The outcomes of the division series did not change our opinions regarding this match-up. We still expect the Astros to prevail in seven.