This column originally ran in The Standard-Times on Sept. 2, 2005.

By Nick Tavares

Talent rules and money buys talent. In the American League East, in the final stretch of the season, the Red Sox and Yankees are gunning for the final spot, and it's no secret how they got there. Their management put them in a position to win by spending on talent.

David Ortiz and Gary Sheffield are great hitters. Jason Varitek and Derek Jeter are leaders. Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez are so talented they sometimes don't know what to do with themselves.

But talent alone doesn't win titles. Both teams are banking on underdogs and role players to push them over the edge. On paper, New York and Boston are about as equal as equal can be, but it's the smaller stakes in the rail that can make or break a team. Here are a few of the many players on both sides that could push this race in their squad's favor

Kevin Millar

He's waited long enough, but Millar might finally be playing like he deserves to be in the starting lineup every day. Maybe it was the bleached-blonde hair, or the Hogan mustache he sported earlier this week, or maybe it was just the good fortune to run into Tampa Bay at the right time, but he's been swinging a mighty stick as of late.

Three home runs to complement a .320 average in his past 10 games is a good sign. In spite of all the firepower in the Sox' lineup, having a guy with the potential of 25 home runs and 96 RBI at his best would certainly be a big boost.

He could flop, too, which would put the weight on John Olerud's fragile body.

Jaret Wright

Wright has two things going for him right now he's healthy, and he's been here before. As a 21-year-old phenom with Cleveland in 1997, he took the Indians on his back and nearly delivered a World Series title in the process.

Since then, he's battled arm troubles and attitude adjustments in stops that have led him to another chance at October glory, in New York no less. With more than $20 million committed to him and a chip on his shoulder, he's a pitcher to be taken seriously.

Tony Graffanino

Mark Bellhorn's ineffectiveness nearly necessitated an early call-up of prospect Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia should be a star at second soon, but Graffanino made sure that there would be no need to rush along a rookie.

Batting .324 since his trade from Kansas City and playing near-sterling defense, Graffanino has solidified the bottom of the Red Sox order, which had holes for the first time since 2002.

Jason Giambi

If Giambi doesn't win Comeback Player of the Year honors, they should stop handing out the award. Giambi, who was nearly sent to Columbus back in May, has been a monster since. His 25 home runs and 64 RBI have fit in the Yankees' lineup comfortably behind Rodriguez and Sheffield, and 11 of those round-trippers have come in a 10-game flurry.

He's saved his career in the process, and he'll be looking to shed more baggage in October.

Bronson Arroyo

Arroyo's numbers in his last 10 starts -- 3-4 with a 5.24 ERA -- aren't impressive. The Sox' rotation is shaky at best right now, with Schilling finding his feet, Wade Miller hurt and David Wells running his mouth off. Arroyo needs to go seven strong from here on out if Boston is to protect its slim lead, and he could be called upon to save the bullpen in a short series.

If he can, he'll generate far more fans and accolades than his guitar ever could.

Mark Bellhorn

Bellhorn may be the X-factor to end all X-factors. To run from October hero to struggling starter to exiled minor-leaguer to Major League gamble in less than 11 months is impressive, to say the least. The Yankees have taken little risk in picking up Bellhorn, but the reward could be huge.

If Bellhorn regains his swing in time to take advantage of New York's tiny right field, he could push Robinson Cano, hitting .229 in his last 10 games, out of the starting lineup.

And there's no better October plotline than revenge. Check back to last October for proof.

Nick Tavares is a columnist for The Standard-Times. E-mail him at ntavares@s-t.com

This story appeared on Page C1 of The Standard-Times on September 2, 2005.