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

Dennis Eckersleys sit at 6-6. Run differential is in the black: 230 plated against 218 allowed over the season. As a club they are hitting 0.549. Across their last five games with a final score, they are 3 wins and 2 losses. They lost their last finished game. Standings-wise, Dennis Eckersleys are 6th in the AL, 2.5 out of first.

Barry Bondses show 6-6. They have scored 208 runs while allowing 188, so they have outscored opponents on the year. Collectively they are swinging 0.500 on the year. In five-score games going back from today, they are 4 wins and 1 losses. They won their most recent final. Standings-wise, Barry Bondses are 4th in the NL, 5.0 out of first.

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

Not a real line; just a fan read.