Enjoy The World Series-- I'm Taking A Break

So, the 2010 Yankee season is over. The Yankees were out-played in the ALCS, plain and simple. The Texas Rangers deserve to go to the World Series. Congratulations to them.

I will be taking a break from blogging for a few weeks. Unless something really big happens in Yankees Universe, look for my next post around the time the first postseason award is announced. I believe that will be Manager Of The Year. Until then, enjoy the World Series.

See Y'all In Texas!

The Yankees are still alive! They have forced a Game 6 Friday night in Arlington, Texas!

Today's game was a heckuva good one. CC didn't have his best stuff but he showed why he is the Yankees ace, striking out 7 and walking none. The bats finally came alive, too. Three home runs! I love it when the Bronx Bombers show up.

Now its back to Texas. GO YANKEES!

ALCS: Pressure's On In Game 3

I live in an area affected by the Cablevision/FOX fiasco, which means I haven't seen one pitch of the NLCS. If this keeps up I'll miss part or all of the World Series. If the Yankees advance and this thing is not resolved I don't know what I will do.

If the Yankees advance. Right now, it is not looking good. They needed to win both games in Texas. Instead, they settled for a split. With Cliff Lee going tonight for the Rangers and AJ Burnett pitching for New York tomorrow night, the Yankees could be down 3-1 by the time Game 5 rolls around.  That is a horrible thought that I cannot get out of my head.

I know, Cliff Lee is not Sandy Koufax. He is not a god. But the man is undefeated in postseason play. True, the Yankees have the winningest postseason pitcher going for them in Andy Pettitte, but his game might be compromised by 1st base umpire Angel Hernandez. Hernandez has called three balks on Pettitte in his career, balks that probably should not have been called. (He is a terrible umpire and should not be working playoff games.)

So the deck is stacked against the Yankees for the next two nights. Can they bet the odds and win one of these game? Let's hope so.

ALCS Preview: Yankees vs Rangers

So, I got my wish. I wanted the Rays done away with and they were. Thank you Texas Rangers.

Will this come back to haunt me? We'll see. The Rangers are definitely capable of winning this series, especially if it goes to a Game 7, which Cliff Lee would pitch. That is the only bad thing about him having to wait until Game 3 to pitch. Lee aside, I think the Yankees can hit any of the other Rangers starters, including CJ Wilson tonight.

I also believe the Yankees pitching is very capable of shutting down Rangers hitting, especially if Phil Hughes and Andy Pettitte pitch the way they did in the Division Series. The only thing I am really worried about is the Rangers running game. Jorge Posada stinks at throwing out runners! I think the Yankees will pitch out more to try to combat this.

So, my prediction? Well, I want the Yankees to put the Rangers away in 5 games. That probably won't happen. I'll say they'll win the series in 6 games. 

Go Yankees!

Between Series: Some Thoughts

I predicted the Yankees-Twins ALDS to go five games with the Yankees advancing to the ALCS by the skin of their teeth.  I had the Twins giving them a lot of trouble because they are so much better this year. Only problem was that the much improved Twins team didn't show up. It was a re-write of last year, the Yankees sweeping the Twins aside once again.

Can the Yankees sweep their ALCS opponent aside in the same manner? No. Trouble was had with both the Rays and the Rangers this season. A sweep is not in the works. But can they get past either team? I'll be better able to answer that question later this week when I do my ALCS preview. Right now I'm concentrating on Game 5 between the Rays and Rangers.

The Rays have regained home field advantage and they have their ace David Price going for them again. But I like the Rangers chances with Cliff Lee. He's a veteran and he's already won Game 1. I think he can do it again. Well, I want him to do it again. The Rays just continue to drive me crazy. I want them done away with already. I don't want the Yankees to have to face them. My worst nightmare would be for the Rays to beat the Yankees in the ALCS, then go on to win the World Series.

I hope to God that does not happen. Go Rangers.

ALDS Preview: Yankees vs Twins

Well, this time I was right. The Yankees didn't win the AL East. They are the AL Wild Card and will face the Minnesota Twins.

I didn't want the Yankees to win the East.  Cliff Lee twice in a short series? Scary. I wanted the Yankees to face the Twins and yesterday I got my wish. So, why am I so scared?

The 2010 Minnesota Twins hardly resemble the 2009 model which the Yankees swept away in the ALDS. This team is much better than it was last year. With names like Francisco Liriano and Joe Mauer, they will be sure to give the Yankees trouble starting on Wednesday night at Target Field.

In addition to Liriano, the rest of the Twins starters are nothing to sneeze at either. To put it bluntly, their pitching is just better than the Yankees, who, after CC Sabathia, have a lot of question marks. Offensively I'll give the edge to the Yankees, especially with the Twins not having Justin Morneau.  However, good pitching stops good hitting. That is why I'm so scared.

It's going to be a tough series for the Yankees.  They'll have their hands full. Can they do it? I've never picked against the Yankees and I'm not going to start now, but it's with a lot hesitation that I make my prediction: The Yankees will win the 2010 ALDS. In five games.