Bronx Bombers Live to Fight Another Day

By Selim Khan

The champs get to play on . . . at least for one more game, that is.

With their backs against the wall and no margin for error, down 3 -1 in the American League Championship Series, the Yanks came out aggressive, striking early and often. Despite losing slugger Mark Teixeira for the rest of the playoffs in Game 4 to a hamstring injury, the Yankees scored three runs in the second inning and two more in the third inning, as the Yankees flexed their muscles when Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano went yard on back to back at bats.

Playing with a lead is not something the Yankees have enjoyed much in this series, so it was important for them to get out to an early lead and keep the sellout crowd in the game.

It helped that Rangers lefty CJ Wilson was not as sharp in his second start of the series. In Game 1, he pitched into the seventh inning, silencing the Yankee bats. This time, however, he lasted only five innings giving up six runs, five of them earned.

Although not dominant, CC Sabathia fared better this time around than in his Game 1 outing, pitching through six turbulent innings, giving up eleven hits, but only two runs.

With the score 6 -2 in favor of the Yankees, Sabathia showed his guts and resourcefulness in the sixth inning when the Rangers had the bases loaded with one out, but failed to score, culminating in Sabathia striking out Mitch Moreland looking.

The pressure on the Yankees was palpable. They didn't want to be eliminated in front of the home faithful. Plus, the Rangers were playing with house money knowing that they will be heading back home and have ace Cliff Lee in reserve for a Game 7, if necessary.

Yankees Have Much to Fear in the AL Championship Series (But That Doesn't Mean They Won't Win)

The Yankees continue their quest for a repeat World Series title tonight in Arlington, Texas against the Texas Rangers at 8 p.m. Here's a little preview of what's in store.

By Selim Khan

On the road to another World Series championship, I would advise NY Yankee fans to watch out for the caution advisory sign known as the Texas Rangers. Most fans, as well as media, figured that the ALCS matchup would be a hotly contested one between the Yanks and the Tampa Bay Rays, especially since they ran neck and neck all season long for the AL East crown.

Now with the Rays having been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Rangers, no one should be quick to automatically anoint the AL pennant to the defending champs.

The Rangers are not intimidated by the Yankees. The two teams split their eight regular season meetings, including a three game Rangers sweep of the Bombers in September.

True, critics may say that the Rangers didn’t have much pressure on them in those games because they had a sizeable lead in the AL West and it was a foregone conclusion that they would be a playoff participant this year. Yet, it’s still never easy to beat a team three straight times, especially a team the caliber of the Yankees.

As the ALCS matchup approaches, the Rangers have several things going for them.

First off, they’re led by a bona fide ace in Cliff Lee, who with each playoff win is not only adding to his postseason legacy, but also millions of dollars to his next contract (which many assume will be lavished upon him by the Yankees).

The Yankees, Unobstructed - Oct. 16, 2009

Pennant Time

Game one of the American League Championship Series is schedule to start at 7:57 p.m. tonight. Whether that actually happens remains to be seen. Right now weather.com says there is a 60% chance of precipitation this evening — but if the game is played, I'll be live-blogging the game right here on the Bronx News Network starting at 7:50. Feel free to join in on the comment board and throw down your own input!

In the meantime, let's compare the the Angels and and the Yankees, position-by-position.

C - Edge Angels - While Jorge Posada gets the edge over L.A.'s Mike Napoli for his strong finish to the season, he also has to sit out A.J. Burnett's starts — and Jose Molina is no Mike Napoli.

1B - Slight Edge Yankees - The Yankees have Mark Teixeira and the Angels have the surprisingly strong Kendry Morales. This is actually a pretty close call. Morales ended the season with 34 home runs, 108 rbis and slugged .569. Teixeira hit 39 home runs, 122 rbis and slugged .565. Tex gets the edge because he is among the best fielding first basemen in the game, and because most of his production has come since May.

2B - Slight Edge Yankees - Robinson Cano has turned into one of the elite second basemen in baseball. He gets hits and he has impressive range in the field. That said, Howie Kendrick is a fine hitter and as good of a fielder as Cano.

3B - Edge Yankees - Here's the deal. Comparing Alex Rodriguez to Chone Figgins is like comparing "LOST" to "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" — both are terrific TV shows, but they're in completely different genres. When Figgins gets on-base, he gets in scoring position and then the Angels bats drive him in (to the tune of 114 runs this season). A-ROD on the other hand, compiled thirty home runs and 100 rbis, while missing a quarter of the season. During that stretch, he was the best player in Major League Baseball. Rodriguez was also the best hitter on the Yankees during the Division Series.

SS - Edge Yankees - Derek Jeter has had one of his best seasons. Little argument here.

LF - Edge Yankees - Johnny Damon hits better in Yankees Stadium than anyone. Period.

CF - Edge Angels - Torii Hunter is a better fielder than either of the Yankees Melky Cabrera/Brett Gardner center field tandem. He's also a better hitter, gets on-base more and hits for more power.

RF - Edge Angels - In Anaheim, Bobby Abreu has continued his career-long assault on baseballs. His numbers are better than Nick Swisher's in every category other than home runs.

SP - Edge Angels - The Angels starting rotation is far deeper and more reliable than the Yankees'. That said, the Yankee hitters have actually had a fair amount of success against all four of the Angels starters....Unfortunately, Angels hitters have been just as good (if not better) against Yankee starting pitching.

Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia, has yet to prove his cold-weather chops and tonight might be a good chance. If he can't, this could prove to be a long winter for him and the Yankees.

RP - Edge Yankees - The Yankees' bullpen came together well this year. It took until last week (literally), but the Yankees have pieced together a reliable three-inning bullpen tandem now that Joba Chamberlain has joined Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera in the waiting room. That said, the Angels' eighth and ninth inning pitchers — Darren Oliver and Brian Fuentes — are mean lefties and should be feared.

Series Edge - Slight Edge Yankees - The Yankees finished the season with the best record in baseball, and they did so in convincing fashion. These are the two most well-constructed clubs in the Major Leagues, and I expect whichever team is victorious, will also come home with the World Series.

Remember to check back with the Bronx News Network throughout tonight's game as we get our live-blog on.