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).