No earlier finals pit them against each other yet this year—the head-to-head ledger starts with this one.

Dennis Eckersleys sit at 6-9. They are underwater on the run chart—288 allowed next to 266 driven in. As a club they are hitting 0.533. Across their last five games with a final score, they are 0 wins and 5 losses. They are on a 5-game skid in games that finished. Standings-wise, Dennis Eckersleys are 6th in the AL, 5.5 out of first.

Barry Bondses show 7-9. They have scored 290 runs while allowing 273, so they have outscored opponents on the year. Collectively they are swinging 0.534 on the year. In five-score games going back from today, they are 1 wins and 4 losses. They lost their last finished game. Standings-wise, Barry Bondses are 4th in the NL, 8.0 out of first.

What we expect: Barry Bondses enter with the stronger résumé; Dennis Eckersleys are live if the bats wake up, but the likelier path is Barry Bondses dictating innings and finishing in front.

Not a real line; just a fan read.