The AL East: New York Yankees

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

If there's one team that seems to exude an aura over baseball, it's the New York Yankees. 27 World Series Championships is a major feat to say the least. They did snare #27 in 2009. They make a somewhat historic run at the onset of the century as well. Still, the recent tide has flowed away from the pinstripes during the last decade. Cause for concern? Anytime the Yankees don't win the whole deal, red flags wave at an alarming rate for Yankees fans.

As I prepped myself for this, I asked myself a few questions. One. Was the whole Derek Jeter thing this past fall overblown? Two. Would a real offseason aid an aging Alex Rodriguez? Three. How would losing out of Cliff Lee affect the starting staff? Four. How deep would the Andy Pettitte retirement cut into the staff? All causes for concern. While I may not exactly provide an answer to each of those, I think we can get the picture.

Let me really delve into this and say that I believe the Yankees still have one of baseball's most potent offenses. Sure, I realize Jeter had his worst season last year. Maybe it's time shake up the lineup a bit. Put him at #2 in the order and have left fielder Brett Gardner have the opportunity to bat leadoff. The Captain can still handle a bat as well as anyone in the game. He will be more than happy to lay down a bunt to advance the speedy Gardner.

And let's not forget the power that this infield possesses. The other three guys (Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano and A-Rod) are all capable of hitting 30 HR and driving in no less than 90 runs. All have the capability to hit .300 as well. The right side of the infield is almost as good as it gets defensively with Cano and Teixeira. The other side may be a different situation (No Jersey Shore mentions, please!).

While Jeter captured a Gold Glove last season, there was little doubt from number crunchers that he had no business in doing so. A-Rod has displayed problem in getting a throw to any base at any time. While neither hold the range they used to, it could be said the the left side of the infield is serviceable at best.

That's where Gardner and center fielder Curtis Granderson can come into play even more than your left and center guys do. They have to be more on the ready from a defensive stance that others that play the same positions. Their chances of seeing balls go through the infield are a little greater. But they they both wield a bat.

Gardner is as fast as anyone in baseball. In his 2+ seasons, he has 86 thefts while being caught only 15 times. Granderson isn't exactly chump change there, but his stolen base count is near as impressive. But Granderson can pop the ball on occasion. Over the last five seasons, he's averaged almost 24 dingers each year.

And what about Nick Swisher in right? Not a defensive wizard, but he will fight to get the job done out there. It's obvious in comparing his first two seasons in New York that he is becoming more acclimated not only to the position, but to the New Yankee Stadium as a whole. His bat arose from its 2009 slumber as Swisher posted one of his best offensive seasons since entering the league for good in 2005. He set career highs in SLG and OPS.

Are the Yankees Really in Trouble?

Most would answer this question yes...with perhaps a bit of hesitation. I agree they're in trouble, but they can come back, can't they?

Maybe not. Much has already been made about how quiet the Yankees bats have been save Game 1. Since that game, New York is hitting an catastrophic .168. It's not any better with runners in scoring position. That average drops to .111. Oh, the bats woke up toward the end of Game 1, but those bats have been pretty much silent since then.

There are only two Yankees hitting over .300. Robinson Cano (.407) has been the thorn in the Rangers' side. Curtis Granderson (.318) has provided a bit of hitting from the bottom of the order. Derek Jeter is next at .281. The next Yankees starter is Brett Gardner. His average? A sparkling .227.

Can CC cure the Yankees ails?

And now, the Yankees will rely on 21-game winner CC Sabathia. Usually, a good thing, but CC was hittable in Game 1. He lasted only four innings, allowed 5 runs on 6 hits. The most notable hit was Josh Hamilton's first-inning three-run homer. The other damaging hit was a 4th inning, two-run double by Michael Young.

ALCS Matchups

The American League Championship Series kicks off tonight with the New York Yankees visiting the Texas Rangers. Here a quick look at the positional comparisons.

First Base: Mark Teixeira v. Mitch Moreland/Jorge Cantu
While Tex suffered a bit offensively in 2010, it did not have an adverse effect on his glove. The Rangers have been searching all season for that one guy that can play the position every day. Rangers manager Ron Washington has inserted Mitch Moreland in for now.
Advantage: Yankees. Tex is still the best glove at the position.


 Second Base: Robinson Cano v. Ian Kinsler
What a matchup this is between the two best young second basemen in the game. Cano will receive some AL MVP consideration and no one is smoother at turning a double play. Kinsler has battled injuries this season, but the bat is back.
Advantage: Yankees. Only because Cano has done it all year long.

Shortstop: Derek Jeter v. Elvis Andrus
Jeter is Mr. Yankee for a reason. Andrus proved the stage wasn't too bright for him as he hit .333 in the ALDS against a good Rays staff.
Advantage: Yankees. C'mon. It's Jeter.

Friday Night Bad for Beantown

Are you a sports fan in Boston? If you are, then Friday evening had to be one nigh you'd love to forget.

James was the king Friday night.
38 points, 7 assists and 8 boards.

1. Cavs 124, Celtics 95
There have been 292 postseason NBA games played in Boston. This was one for the record books...and not a good one either. The Celtics 29 point defeat was the worst in Celtics history. That doesn't tell the whole story. This one was over before it started.

Cleveland's LeBron James, amid all the talk of a bum elbow, seemed all the better especially after taking a hard foul (called a flagrant which I don't totally understand since Perkins did make a play for the ball) from Kendrick Perkins and torching the C's in the first quarter. James outscored the Celtics in the first quarter all by his lonesome, 21-17. The score after the first was Cavs 36, C's 17.

Gagne returned to the Flyers lineup on
Friday to give Philly the 5-4 win.

2. Flyers 5, Bruins 4 (OT)
The Flyers avoided the series sweep with a thrilling overtime victory, but it didn't come easy in any way.

After a Claude Giroux goal at 8:35 of the second period, the Flyers owned a 3-1 lead and appeared to have the game under control...until about two minutes later. Boston's Michael Ryder made it 3-2 at 10:56 and the game was on. After a power play goal by Milan Lucic tied the game at 3 about 4 minutes into the third, Philly was once took the lead at 14:20 on Ville Leino's first goal of the playoffs.

With less than a minute remaining, former Flyer Mark Recchi knotted the score at 4 sending the contest into overtime. All the momentum tilted the Bruins way and a sweep was at hand. Then, Simon Gagne, playing in his first game of the series since suffering a toe injury against the New Jersey Devils in the previous series, and scored at 14:40 to hand the B's to a 5-4 defeat.

Hughes owned the Red Sox on
Friday night.

3. Yankees 10, Red Sox 3
Red Sox starter Josh Beckett looked good...for his first 5 innings. Beckett surrendered only a three-run homer to Nick Swisher in the 4th and then the wheels came off during the 6th. After Beckett's 5.1 innings of work, he left the Fenway Park mound handing the Yanks 9 runs on 9 hits, 3 walks and 2 hit batters after 106 pitches.

All the Red Sox offense could muster off Yankees starter Phil Hughes was 2 runs in the 7 innings Hughes worked. Hughes is now displaying a 4-0 with a 1.69 ERA. Hughes has 31 K's over 32 innings of work including the 7 K's he takes away from last night's outing. Hughes is showing why the Yankees have held high expectations for the 23 year old since he was a first round pick in 2007.

The lone bright spot for the Red Sox...David Ortiz had 2 RBI. He's now batting .178.

Not the greatest day in Boston sports, that's for sure, but the Bruins can close out their series on Monday. If Boston can seal the deal, the would get the winner of the Pittsburgh Penguins-Montreal Canadiens series winner. That series is tied at 2 a piece with Game 5 tonight.

MLB Ump Taking Heat Nothing New

West

I know umps and refs are to be seen and heard only when they are doing their job of enforcing the rules and aspects of sporting events. But many think MLB umpire Joe West went just a tad overboard in a recent story on NorthJersey.com. But I also think his comments deserve some merit, too.

By now you've heard or read of West's comments in reference to the sometimes excrutiating amount of time some baseball games take to be played. It is even longer when the games involve the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox as West points out in the story. In the three game series, the shortest game timewise was 3:21. The longest being 3:48.

West has been demonized by virtually every person that has some form of association with baseball because of his comments. Curt Schilling had a comment or two about West and his appoach to games in which he is an ump.

"Watch Joe West during the game. He never lets the catcher throw a ball in play. He rushes everything, and calls a small plate. He's decent behind there, consistent, but smaller than he can be. If he wants to pick up the pace he should get the pace of the game going by calling more strikes ... strikes.

"Not to mention he often times acts like he'd rather be any place in the world other than the field."

Schilling has never been one to mince words, but he does have another reason game times seem extended.

"... Part of the reason the games are slower is because their offenses are so deep, and so good. Hitters never give away at-bats. Every pitch matters, on both sides, for nine innings.

"The reason the games are slow is very clear, and one not many will print -- TV. Ad revenue has gotten to the point that TV is allowed to dictate pace of game, not the game itself."

Excellent points, Curt. Deep offenses and TV revenue. Got it and I agree. That still doesn't explain why during some at-bats an individual will ask for timeout on almost every pitch.

We know of the "pathetic and embarassing" comment by West, but what's getting lost in all the fray is that were not getting the whole scope of West's comments. He understands why it happens.

"I understand it's strategy," West said. "I understand they're trying to set up the count and take so many pitches."

West also understands that the Yanks and Red Sox have the ability to score a lot if runs and that tends to lead to slow play. West points out that the umpires receive evaluations on the time of games, too. West elaborates a bit more on game times.

"It's sad when school kids can't watch the end of the game because it ends too late."

Ah, the kids. Always a soft spot when we view sports as a whole. I remember many a time sneaking and turning on my radio just to listen to the end of a game...and getting in trouble because I got caught. That was usually because I had the radio too lound.

I think some are also pointing fingers at Joe West when he's merely trying to enforce an edict MLB laid down some five years ago. When umpires aren't granting timeouts, as Angel Hernandez was clearly doing during the Yanks-Sox game on Tuesday evening, they receive criticism from the players and managers. When they do, they get most likely a mark from evaluators for not quickening the game's pace. It your classic "no win" situation...or is it?

Not if MLB steps forward and tells both the teams and the umpires that enforcement of these "rules" is mandatory.

Baseball's Champs: the New York Yankees

I bet you think I'm going to bash the Yankees for their latest conquest in becoming a 27 time World Series Champ. Despite all the things that are being said about New York and how they bought the Series, I must, in all honesty, disagree.

The spending spree that is known as the New York Yankees, or "The Evil Empire" as they have also been referred as, is merely playing within the established rules that baseball permits. George and Family are willing to spend the bucks and baseball permits it.

But the purpose of this post is not to bring up the extrememly sore subject of the spending. No, believe it or not, the Yankees built this Championship. Hard to believe, I know. The groundwork for it was laid in the year of their last series win.

Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte. These four are the holdovers from the 2000 World Champs. Jeter represents all that is good for the Yankees (and baseball) as well as serving as their captain and leader. Rivera is undoubtedly the best closer in the game's history. Posada is as steady as any catcher. Pettitte took a hiatus in Houston and a hit for his HGH use, but he did return and proved to be an integral figure. All four were homegrown talent.

Now you add some big signings between 2001 and 2008. The first was Hideki Matusui who came from Japan prior to the 2003 season. All Godzilla did was win the MVP award with his 6 RBI in Game 6. Add Alex Rodriguez. Despite his "run-in" with PEDs and his offseason hip surgery, ARod contributed this year unlike any postseason he'd played in the past. He came aboard in 2004. Throw in Johnny Damon. Damon bolted from the hated Boston Red Sox to join the Yanks prior to the 2006 season.

Remember how Jeter, etc., were homegrown? So were Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Robinson Cano. These four give the Yankees the beginnings of a foundation going forward. THe major question involves Joba and Hughes. Are they starters or relievers. The front office must arrive at a decision quickly in order to continue. Joba seems better suited as a reliever. Hughes emerged as New York's 8th inning guy out of necessity.

Fianlly, there's the free agent frenzy prior to this season and a key acquisition. Brain Cashman and Hank Steinbrenner brought in CC Sabathia, the highest sought pitcher, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira, the highest sought position player, via free agency. But a key cog was brought into the Yankee fold via trade. That is Nick Swisher. All four are different and their differing personalities gelled with the other Yankee players.

I want to make this point clear, I am not a Yankee fan. Growing up in southwestern Ohio, I was eased into the Cincinnati Reds history, culture, and fanbase. I learned to despise New York during the 1976 World Series and it carried over for a few years. But as I've grown older, I've learned that sports franchises have evolved into businesses. George Steinbrenner opened everyone's eyes to that.

And business is all about the dollar...spending or making.

MLB: Last Night of 2009 Season?

It is possible that tonight's Game 6 of the World Series will be the final game of the 2009 season...that's if the New York Yankees have anything to say about it. But the Philadelphia Phillies have designs on one more game and send Pedro Martinez (left) to the mound against Andy Pettitte.

What do the Phillies need to do to force a seventh game?

If Charlie Manuel can get 6 strong innings from Pedro, that will be the place to start. He got that type of effort from Martinez in Game 2. Pedro allowed three runs in his six innings of work. Phillies fans cannot ask for much more from Martinez.

The Phillies bats must get to Yankees starter Andy Pettitte early and often. If Pettitte is allowed to get in a groove, tonight could very well be 2009's last game. Getting Pettitte out early could expose the New York bullpen. With the obvious exception of Mariano Rivera, they bullpen is vulnerable.

The next "issue" that Philadelphia must address is the current slump that has grasped Ryan Howard. In 19 at-bats, Howard has 3 hits and only 1 RBI. Of his other 16 at-bats, Howard has 12 strikeouts. For the record, Howard is hitting. 207 agaist lefties. Not a pleasant sight for Howard to see Andy Pettitte on the hill tonight.

Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino (right) says he's good to go for Game 6 despire getting drilled with a pitch on his right hand during Game 5. With the weather being on the cool side for the game (dipping into at least the low 40's), it might be a matter of how long Victorino will be able to stay in the game even though we know he will want to play.

Now, the biggest question for Game 6 if your the Phillies: Who will get the ball in a save situation? We all saw the Brad Lidge of '09 arise during Game 4 by permitting the Yankees to score three runs when there were two outs and no one on base. In Game 5, Ryan Madson got the call (with a three run lead) to close out the game. Madson or Lidge?

Don't even think about who'll start for Philly in Game 7. Got to win Game 6 first.

World Series Analysis/Breakdown

  V

Here is a positional breakdown of the World Series between the NL's Philadelphia Phillies and the AL's New York Yankees.

Phillies		POS		Yankees
Ryan Howard		1B	X	Mark Teixeira
Chase Utley	X	2B		Robinson Cano
Pedro Feliz		3B	X	Alex Rodriguez
Jimmy Rollins		SS	X	Derek Jeter
Raul Ibanez	X	LF		Johnny Damon
Shane Victorino	X	CF		Melky Cabrera
Jayson Werth	X	RF		Nick Swisher
Carlos Ruiz	PUSH	C	PUSH	Jorge Posada
Matt Stairs	PUSH	DH	PUSH	Hideki Matsui
Lee, Blanton, Hamels		SP	X	Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte
Happ, Madson, Park, Bastardo		BP	X	Hughes, Joba, Robertson, Coke

Brad Lidge		CL	X	Mariano Rivera
Charlie Manuel	X	MGR		Joe Girardi

This series will be over examined on every level…maybe even by Yankees manager Joe Girardi. Here’s my reasons for the advantages.

First base: This was the hardest to separate. Both Howard and Teixeira had MVP quality seasons. One thing that Howard has progressed so well with is his defense, but he’s still not Gold Glove caliber, although I believe one day he will win one. Teixeira’s glove relaxes his infield teammates. That was the only difference.

Second base: As far as second basemen go, nobody turns a double play like Cano. Plus, Utley has been a bit disappointing in his defense early in this post season. There about the same in hitting, but Utley will steal a base where Cano is more slow-footed. This is also Cano’s first World Series. Utley is merely revisiting.

Third base: I really don’t have to defend this, but I’ll say that ARod’s numbers are awesome (.438 batting average, 5 HR, 12 RBI). Enough said.

Shortstop: If this were a couple of season’s ago, Rollins would get the edge. But Jeter put together possibly his best season ever…and he may just get some MVP consideration.

Left field: Before a groin issue put Ibanez on the shelf, he was an MVP front runner in the NL. He’s been a bit slow to come around, but he has responded. Damon struggled against the Twins but cam alive against the Angels. Again, defense makes the difference and Ibanez has more assists and has committed less errors.

Center field: Victorino has a Gold Glove, more speed, and a better bat. People always want to underestimate Cabrera, but Victorino is clearly the choice.

Right field: Werth’s bat came back alive in the final game of the NLCS cracking a pair of homers. Swisher continues to struggle this postseason. Plus, Werth is a better base runner and fielder.

Catcher: Regular season, it’s Posada. Postseason brings out the best in Ruiz.

DH: What’s to compare here? The swing and hopefully they hit. Both will have a handful of chances to change the outcome of this series.

Starters: Hard to go against the Yanks here. Even with the magic Charlie Manuel has pulled so far.

Bullpen: Neither pen has shown us a whole lot, but the Yankees have the better arms. New York fans just better hope their lack of experience doesn’t show.

Closer: Lidge is almost looking like the Lidge of ‘08. He’s still not Rivera.

Manager: Girardi wears 27 for a reason. The Yanks currently hold 26 Championships. Will he guide New York to 27? Charlie Manuel was in Girardi’s shoes last year. Experience separates this one.

Yes, the Yankees should emerge with number 27, but this has the potential to be the highest scoring World Series ever. No lead will be safe with the Bank and New Yankee Stadium being virtual bandboxes. Closing out games will be the main difference and Mariano Rivera is the greatest closer in baseball history. And he only throws one stinking pitch. Yankees in 7.

Yes, CC may have to pitch three times.

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ALCS Preview - Angels/Yankees

 v.

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.....

MLB AL Playoff Breakdown

v.

Season series: Yankees 7-0

First base: Michael Cuddyer (Twins)/Mark Teixeira (Yankees)

Advantage: Yankees

Tex will likely finish 2nd in the AL MVP voting while Cuddyer has moved from right field due to the season ending injury to Justin Morneau

Second base: Nick Punto or Alexi Casilla (Twins)/Robinson Cano (Yankees)

Advantage: Yankees

Casilla's a hero right now in the Twin Cities, but Cano can get you a home run and he turns a DP better than any second baseman in baseball.

Third base: Matt Tolbert (Twins)/Alex Rodriguez (Yankees)

Advantage: Yankees

We all know of A-Rod's struggles in the postseason, but maybe he's due this year...

Shortstop: Orlando Cabrera (Twins)/Derek Jeter (Yankees)

Advantage: Yankees

Cabrera was picked up before the trade deadline and helped to solidify the Twins infield, but Jeter had maybe his best overall season of his HOF career.

Left field: Delmon Young (Twins)/Johnny Damon (Yankees)

Advantage: Yankees

Young is still a bit raw but played well down the stretch. Damon's playoff experience gives him a slight nod.

Center field: Denard Span or Carlos Gomez (Twins)/Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner (Yankees)

Advantage: PUSH

It will most likely be Span and Cabrera starting but Gomez and Gardner could see a lot of time, too. Cabrera is the better defensively but Span can be a terror on the bases

Right field: Jason Kubel (Twins)/Nick Swisher (Yankees)

Advantage: Twins

Both are somewhat a defensive liability, but Kubel has better offesive numbers and the Twins need all the punch they can get.

Catcher: Joe Mauer (Twins)/Jorge Posada (Yankees)

Advantage: Twins

This is a lot closer than anyone can imagine. Mauer will most likely (and should) be the MVP, but Posada has more postseason experience and that closes the gap.

DH: Brenden Harris or Jose Morales (Twins)/Hideki Matsui (Yankees)

Advantage: Yankees

Matsui has recovered from injuries and his presence makes the Yankees lineup so much more potent.

Starting pitching: Brian Duensing, Nick Blackburn, Carl Pavano, Scott Baker (Twins)/ CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte (Yankees)

Advantage: Yankees

If the Twins didn't have to use Baker recently, their rotation wouldn't look like it's a mess. The Yankees, despite the names, aren't as solid as everyone believes

Closer: Joe Nathan (Twins)/Mariano Rivera (Yankees)

Advantage: Yankees

If I was comparing any other closer to Nathan, the Twins would have the edge. Just not against the greatest closer of all time.

If the Twins can find another dash of magic and pull off a victory in Game 1, that may cause Yankees fans to push the panic button. Sabathia hasn't had much postseason success, so winning today is critical for the psyche of the Yankees despite having tons of playoff experience. The Twins are just plain scrappy and have more grit than any other team in the postseson. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire says he has ball players. Thing is, the Twins just can't win in New York. Yankees in 4.

v.

Season series: Angels 5-4

First base: Kevin Youkilis (Red Sox)/Kendry Morales (Angels)
Advantage: Red Sox
Morales did put up better offensive numbers, but Youk has the better glove.

Second base: Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox)/Howie Kendrick (Angels)

Advantage: Red Sox

Pedroia didn't duplicate his MVP campaign of last year, but Kendrick was sent down earlier in the season to get straight.

Third base: Mike Lowell (Red Sox)/Chone Figgins (Angels)

Advantage: Angels

Lowell hasn't totally recovered from his surgery. Teams gameplan around Figgins because he demands that much attention.

Shortstop: Alex Gonzalez (Red Sox)/Erick Aybar (Angels)

Advantage: Angels

Will Gonzalez be able to give it a go? It's the postseason, so expect him to play. Aybar is on the rise as far as young SS go. He could be the X-factor for the Angels.

Left field: Jason Bay (Red Sox)/Juan Rivera (Angels)

Advantage: PUSH

Bay was an MVP candidate until just before the All-Star break, but faded. Rivera ended up with better offensive numbers but Bay is a slightly better fielder.

Center field: Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox)/Torii Hunter (Angels)

Advantage: Angels

Hunter was also in the runing for MVP until an injury derailed him. But Hunter has bounced back to the same level. Ellsbury could be the next great centerfilder.

Right field: J.D. Drew (Red Sox)/Bobby Abreu (Angels)

Advantage: Angels

Drew did have a decent offensive campaign, but his rash of nagging injuries has curtailed his defense. Some are saying Abreu deserves some MVP considerations. Nobody but the Angels wanted him. They're laughing at the rest of MLB.

Catcher: Jason Varitek and Victor Martinez (Red Sox)/Mike Napoli (Angels)

Advantage: Angels

Here's the only reason I took the Angels...the Angels will run, run, and then run some more on the Sox catching duo.

DH: David Ortiz (Red Sox)/Vladimir Guerrero (Angels)

Advantage: Red Sox

This is almost a push, but Ortiz has picked it up over the last couple of weeks.

Starting pitching: Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Clay Buchhoz (Red Sox)/John Lackey, Jared Weaver, Scott Kazmir, Joe Saunders (Angels)

Advantage: Red Sox

Even though Beckett has had his recent stuggles, he's one of the best postseason pitchers of this generation. If he pulls it together, the Angels could be in trouble because if this series goes to a fifth game, Beckett will get the ball in Game 5.

Closer: Jonathon Papelbon (Red Sox)/Brian Fuentes (Angels)

Advantage: Red Sox

Fuentes may have 48 saves, but he's really struggled over the last month.

This should be the year the Angels break through against Boston, but it could easily go the full five games. The main difference is the bullpen. The Angels have had major struggles recently while the Red Sox have been one of the best pens all season. I look for this to go the distance with the Angels using the Rally Monkey to get the Red Sox monkey off their back. If the Angels are able to run on the Red Sox catchers, it will spell doom in Boston. Angels in 5. I think they can be beat Beckett.