Best Baseball Series

Take yourself out to these ballgames.

A's vs. Boston, May 16-18

The world champs swing by Oakland, which means thousands of A's fans will be sneaking projectile-ready Duracells into the Coliseum.

Giants vs. A's, May 20-22/A's vs. Giants, June 24-26

Year after year, the cross-bay rivalry hardens a bit more into a Manichaean showdown. This season is as stark as ever: old (Giants) vs. young (A's), rich (GM Brian Sabean) vs. poor (GM Billy Beane), evil (Barry Bonds) vs. good (take your pick).

Giants vs. Los Angeles, May 24-26

As if this rivalry needed more fodder, the Dodgers bounced the Giants from playoff contention last October with Steve Finley's grand slam.

Giants vs. Kansas City, June 7-9

The Royals don't offer much in the way of competition or entertainment. That is, unless 21-year-old Zack Greinke -- he of the mid-90s fastball and mid-60s curveball -- is on the mound.

Giants vs. St. Louis, July 8-10

A face-off between the two most feared hitters in baseball, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols and Bonds (provided his knee heels and he isn't under indictment).

A's vs. Texas, July 14-17

If you're lucky, you'll get a chance to watch Texas reliever Frank Francisco, who, A's fans will remember, throws a hard fastball, a decent splitter, and a large plastic folding chair.

A's vs. Los Angeles (Anaheim), Aug. 9-11

The Angels, a team built by checkbook, visit the A's, a team built by spreadsheet.

Giants vs. Chicago, Sept. 8-11

By this point in the season, Cubs skipper Dusty Baker, formerly the Giants' manager, will surely have ridden his star pitchers onto the disabled list, but that won't make these four games any less heated.