ALCS Preview - Angels/Yankees

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Today, we'll take a look at the ALCS between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the New York Yankees. We'll view each position and see which team has the advantage at that position. After all of that, I'll make my prediction on who will win this series between the two best teams in the American League's regular season.

Season series: 5-5 (Yankees won 3-1 at Yankee Stadium, Angels won 4-2 at Angel Stadium). If you could ever look at a stat and see that home field advantage applies, it might be here. Now, the position players.

First base: Angels - Kendry Morales v. Yankees - Mark Teixeira (left)
These are arguably the two best 1B in the AL (Twins and Tigers fans may disagree. And they are legit in those). Both amassed MVP numbers for the season. Tex got most of the press because of playing in New York, but Morales came into his own this season given the fact that Tex went from the Angels to the Yankees in the offseason. Offensively, these guys are even. It's the glove that's the difference.
Advantage: Yankees

Second base: Angels - Howie Kendrick v Yankees - Robinson Cano
Kendrick was sent down to the minors earlier in the season to get his head back together, and the results were good. Cano continues to be in the upper echelon of MLB's second baseman.
Advantage: Yankees

Third base: Angels - Chone Figgins v. Yankees - Alex Rodriguez
There's no Kate Hudson factor that applies here. How did the Angels advance agsint the Red Soxand Figgins didn't even get a hit? That needs to change for the Angels to get past the Yanks. Add this to the talk: ARod did have a good season despite the extensive layoff. Look at these numbers: 30 HR, 100 RBI, batting average of .286. He walked more in '09 than in '08 while playing in 14 less games.
Advantage: Yankees

Shortstop: Angels - Erick Aybar v. Yankees - Derek Jeter
Do I really need yo go through the reasoning?
Advantage: Yankees

Left field: Angels - Juan Rivera v. Yankees - Johnny Damon
The main thing that separates Rivera and Damon from an offensive standpoint is strikeouts. Rivera played in only 5 less games, but struckout 41 less times (Rivera: 57, Damon: 98). Where Rivera gets a decided edge is in the field. He had 11 assists and commited only 2 error. We know it can be an adventure with Damon.
Advantage: Angels

Center field: Angels - Torii Hunter (right) v. Yankees - Melky Cabrera
We will get to see some excellent center fielders in this one. It's the bat that really divides Hunter from Cabrera. Add in the leadership qualities of Hunter and there's even more of separation.
Advantage: Angels

Right field: Angels - Bobby Abreu v. Yankees - Nick Swisher
Abreu did see a slight dip in his HR. He would've hit 30 playing in the new Yankee Stadium. Swisher was just 1 HR shy of 30. That's the only meaningful stat where Swisher has an offensive edge. Defensively, these guys are pretty much even despite the video we've seen of Swisher's misadventures. Abreu has more assists (10 to 2), but he committed more errors (8  to 5). Not as close as everyone thinkd.
Advantage: Angels

Catcher: Angels - Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis v. Yankees - Jorge Posada
Intriguing this is. With New York going with a three man rotation, Posada will most likley catch most of the games. The Angels are more than willing to test his arm. There's the difference.
Advatage: Angels

Designated hitter: Angels - Vladamir Guerrero v. Yankees - Hideki Matsui
Straight offense in this comparison. Neither strike out a whole lot which is important for the DH. Matsui will take a walk and we know Vlad is almost impossible to walk. Guerrero missed about a third of the season due to injury and Matsui appears to have his legs under him. Plus, Matsui has bts around him in the order for protection. Vlad doesn't have as much of that.
Advantage: Yankees

Starting pitching:
The Yankess will go with a three man rotation (CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Andy Pettitte). I'm not totally liking that, but if the weather is a factor (and it looks like it might), then it could be interesting for New York. That might put the Yanks more in the driver's seat, but you cannot discout the Angels four (John Lackey, Joe Saunders, Jared Weaver (left), Scott Kazmir). Lackey has almost as much grit as any pitcher in the majors. Weaver had a career high 16 wins and can go the distance if needed. So much coser than people think.
Advantage: Yankees...barely

Bullpen:
Can you name one pitcher (besides the closer) for the Angels? It might be that East Coast bias working. That might be a good thing. We know the Yanks will send out Joba for the 7th and Hughes for the 8th. Hughes showed a bit of vunerability against the Twins and that could lead to trouble if not corrected.
Advantage: Yankees

Closer: Angels - Brain Fuentes v. Yankees - Mariano Rivera (right)
Fuentes blew 8 save opportunities and has an ERA of 3.93. Rivera blew 2 save opportunities and had an ERA of 1.76. You can get two innings from Rivera, if you need it. Is there any better in postseason anyway?
Advantage: Yankees

Bench:
Both have defensive replacements in the outfield and infield. With Gary Matthews, Jr., Maicer Izturis, and Reggie Willits, there's a speed factor. The Yankees can offset that with Brett Gardner and Jerry Hairston, Jr. But New York has Eric Hinskee that can change a game with one swing. The Angels don't really have that type of luxury.
Advantage: Yankees

If you go up and down, it looks like New York has a decided edge...and they do. But I'm going away from all of that and taking the Angels in 7. Something just tells me.....