Thursday, October 14, 2010

CC, CJ to Open ALCS

Almost a week after securing their spot in the ALCS, the Yankees finally get to take the field again competitively for the first time since their 6-1 clincher vs the Twins.  CC Sabathia goes for the Yanks, looking to improve upon his mediocre showing in Game 1 of the ALDS, a game in which he labored through 6 innings of work, throwing 111 piches and giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits.  While CC wasn't terrible, he was not the ace he has been for most of the regular season.  And it does not get any easier against the stacked Rangers lineup.  Both Nelson Cruz and Ian Kinsler come off big performances, while Texas' two most potent boppers, Hamilton and Guerrero have been quiet.  That should not be the Yanks only problems though.  Everyone in Texas' lineup is capable of stealing a base; even Bengie Molina who stole a base in the clinching game for Texas.  That could prove problematic for the Yankees catcher.  Jorge Posada had his worst statistical year ever behind the plate.  Only 13 of 85 runners were caught stealing for an embarrassing 15.3% caught stealing.  The key for the Yankees and their pitching staff/catcher has to be to keep the Rangers off the base paths this series.  The Rangers score enough runs with their daunting offense, they don't need help with an aging and slow catcher behind the plate.  Besides that, if CC can control his fastball a little better this time out, the Yankees should set the tone early in this game. 

CJ Wilson has been a revelation for Nolan Ryan and his new philosophy in Texas.  All those NYY fans that endured the Joba Rules last year and the "Phil-osophies" this year, take a long look at what Nolan Ryan has done with his bullpen arm turned starter.  After pitching in 74 games and 73 2/3 IP in 2009, Wilson was asked to become a starter, and he not only accepted, he flourished.  Wilson started 33 games this year, pitching 204 innings, 3 complete games, and all to a nice tune of a 3.35 ERA.  The lefty had no innings limit imposed on him and he completed a whole season.  Take a look MLB.  Why can't a guy climb over the all feared pitch count either?  That's Nolan Ryan's next step.  Wilson is being handed the ball for Game 1 against one of the front runners for the AL Cy Young.  Can he compete with the former Cy, and stake Texas to a 1-0 lead in the club's first ALCS in its history?   Well we'll see tomorrow night if CJ Wilson is up to the task he has been handed.

The Yankees haven't had one big star this postseason, but a collective effort by all to carry them past the Twins into the ALCS.  The biggest producers in their series sweep were their DH's Lance berkman and Marcus Thames, and their center fielder Curtis Granderson, who stayed hot after coming on late in the season.  A-Rod, who put up great numbers in last year's ALDS and ALCS, is still looking to get hot in this postseason.  The Rangers on the other hand, have received poor play by their All Star center fielder, but MVPesque play by their second baseman Ian Kinsler.  In a League stacked with great young second baseman, Kinsler often gets overlooked.  But his bat is just as good as any when healthy.  In 144 games last year, Kinsler belted 31 home runs and drove in 86.  Nelson Cruz is another over looked star in Texas for the same reason as Ian Kinsler.  If Cruz can ever stay healthy for a whole season, he could be an All Star.  The question in this series though, will Young, Hamilton, and Guerrero start to hit?

As I have posted in earlier articles, the series will come down to the bullpens, and the Yankees have the experience and the talent to get it done.  Although Neftali Feliz had a Rookie of the Year caliber season, he couldn't hold the Rays off in Game 3 of the ALDS surrendering a home run to Carl Crawford in 1/3 of an inning.  In 12 2/3 innings, the Rangers bullpen allowed 6 runs for about a 4.40 ERA.  All those runs came in one game, but it just shows that the Rangers can allow a bunch of runs whether it be from Nippert, Oliver, or Feliz.  In 7 innings, the Yankees bullpen allowed just one run.  Kerry Wood and David Robertson are pitching better than Darren Oliver and Dustin Nippert right now as the better setup men, and Neftali Feliz is no comparison to Mariano Rivera in experience or results. 

The Fan's Pick:

Yanks in 6

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