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We have gotten what we have wished for (those of us who don't root for the Yankees, anyway -- and I would bet even a fair share of them are pretty excited by the prospect): a Roger Clemens-Pedro Martinez showdown in the Bronx tonight with the American League pennant on the line. With two such quality chuckers on the mound, what are the chances that we will see a classic pitching duel tonight? Pretty good, one might assume.

Better still, what are the chances that one or both of them will throw one of the greatest games in Rubber Game history? Let's look at the 10 or so best starting pitching performances ever perpetrated under such circumstances (Game 7 of a best-of-seven or Game 5 of a best-of-five) and see who came up biggest in the past. Bill James Game Scores was utilized to put some kind of order to the proceedings.

1. Jack Morris, Minnesota Twins vs. Atlanta Braves, World Series Game 7, 1991
(1-0, 10 innings; 10 IP, 7 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts)

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