I'm a lifelong Sox fan, and an Astros Fan since '80.
Here ya go:
The Sox win with a combination of solid starting piching and an offense that sometimes uses small-ball and sometimes waits for the big homer.
Starters: Ozzie has a philosopy that all his starters have to give him 7 innings of work each game.
Contreras: He looked horrible for the first half of the season, but has somehow put it all together in August. It will be hard for the Astros to score more than one or two against him.
Buerhle: Solid pitcher, can be dependent on his breaking balls to work, he can be hit early, and late, sometimes gets ratted by rallys
Garland: if he's on a roll, hitters are in trouble, if he's shaky, he could be gone in 2-3 innings. His confidence is the key.
Garcia: Totally thrives on away games and day games. Sometimes throws poorly, but guts out of jams. Will be tough in Minute Maid.
Bullpen:
Hernandez is a perfect long reliever, works great under pressure, much better pitcher with no one on base, so he can use the high leg kick. Cotts has been murder on lefties, Politte can be hit, if Hermanson is healthy, he's great, but gives up homers sometimes. Jenks is filthy. 98-102 fastball with a dirty curve ball, if he can get it near the plate. We haven't seen him deal with playoff pressure yet, so who knows.
Offense:
At the top of the lineup, the Sox job is to get Podsednik on base, have him steal or bunted over by Iguchi, and have Dye, Konerko or C4 drive him in. Ozzie will settle for single runs in this situation if needed. Pods will work the count to 3-2 each at bat if possible, Iguchi has hit great in situations with Pods on base, and has surprising power. Dye isn't suited for the 3 spot, but has performed well in the playoffs, sometimes swings at bad pitches. Konerko's a streaky hitter, but he's hot right now. Everett, we know about, he's very impatient at the plate. Rowand started the year hitting well, but he's ice cold now. Has good speed. A.J. seems to be in the middle of all the great Sox plays, can hit a homer now and then, strikes out a bit too much. Crede has been money throughout the playoffs. Uribe is also a very streaky hitter, he hits lots of fly balls when he's off his swing. Too bad Frank Thomas won't play, he'd be fun. Subs: Speed with Harris and Ozuna, Timo Perez is a good singles hitter, Blum, we know about, Widger has had some key hits this season.
The White Sox defense is surprisingly good, Uribe, Podsednik and Rowand are outstanding, Crede, Dye can make great plays at times, but are above average, Iguchi makes great plays, but can take a play off at times, doesn't get to too many short outfield flies. Konerko is average.
