They call it the Fall Classic. Two baseball teams go in, and one leaves with the World Series. Hayden Meikle, who is not at all biased in favour of one of the teams, offers this quick guide.
What is it?
A best-of-seven competition between the last two Major League Baseball teams standing. One was the winner of the American League Championship Series, the other the winner of the National League Championship Series.
The ''World'' Series?
Yes. And the winning players will refer to themselves as ''world champions''. Jarring, sure, given this is a sports event as American as apple pie. But try not to let it bother you. The name simply came from a time when we had a ''world's series of baseball'' and a ''world's heavyweight boxing championship''.
Who's in it?
The St Louis Cardinals and the (mighty) Boston Red Sox.
Red Sox players to watch?
1. Dustin Pedroia - small, gritty second baseman absolutely beloved by Boston fans.
2. Jacoby Ellsbury - plays centre field and leads off the batting.
3. David Ortiz - veteran slugger known as ''Big Papi''.
4. Koji Uehara - the Japanese pitcher, referred to as a ''closer'' because he enters the game late to try to wrap up a win, has been one of the surprising stories of the season.
Cardinals players to watch?
1. Yadier Molina - a remarkable talent who is a superb catcher and also a devastating hitter.
2. Matt Carpenter - led the major leagues in hits, runs and doubles this season.
3. Carlos Beltran - veteran right fielder, in the World Series for the first time, who always comes up with a big hit when needed.
4. Adam Wainwright - the ace of the St Louis pitching staff.
Any famous Red Sox fans?
The Otago Daily Times sports editor is a passionate ... oh. The most famous Red Sox fan is bestselling author Stephen King, a longtime worshipper at Fenway Park. Academy Award-winners Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are also paid-up members of Sox Nation.
Any famous Cardinals fans?
John Goodman, Billy Bob Thornton and hip-hop artist Nelly.
Has either side won it recently?
The Red Sox broke an 86-year drought when they won the World Series in 2004, and they added another in 2007. The Cardinals were WORLD champions as recently as 2011.
Who will win?
Baseball, which essentially boils down to a gladiatorial contest between one pitcher and one batter at a time, is notoriously difficult to forecast. But let's go ahead and do just that. The Red Sox in six.
World Series
The schedule
Game 1: Today, 1pm, live on Sky Sport 2.
Game 2: Tomorrow, 1pm, live on Sky Sport 1.
Game 3: Sunday, 1pm.
Game 4: Monday, 1pm, live on Sky Sport 2.
Game 5 (Tuesday), Game 6 (next Thursday) and Game 7 (next Friday) if required.
