NYSS - An Abortion of New York Sports Journalism
POP QUIZ: 5 Questions on the Yankees vs. Twins
Did you really think the Yankees were going to miss the Playoffs? I mean I know they stumbled mightily down the stretch but missing the playoffs?!?!? We aren't the Mets. Still, that being said I'd be lying if I said I didn't have concerns about the Yankees as they try to repeat as Champions and bring World Series Championship number 28 back to the Bronx. Last year, I predicted that the Yankees would win the World Series in 6. This year, it's much different so I'm taking a series by series approach. My job, is to ask the relevant questions and turn it over to you to debate amongst yourselves.
1.) Can the 3-Man Rotation work again? Although it's not set in stone, the Yanks appear to be leaning toward a 3 man rotation for the ALDS against the Twins. Last year, pitching questions forced them to turn to a rotation of Sabathia, Burnett, and Pettitte. This year, the rotation maybe more iffy and Girardi may go with the combo of Sabathia, Pettitte & Hughes to face the Twinkies. In that scenario C.C would get the ball in game 1 and game 4 (short rest) and Pettitte would get the ball in games 2 & 5 (regular rest).
2) Is not having home-field advantage going to cost the Yankees in a short series? Here are some facts and numbers to help fuel the debate. In 2005 & 2007 Yankees failed to advance in the ALDS without home-field advantage. 53-28 (2010 Minn Home record) 1-2 (2010 Twins record against Yanks at Target Field. 1005-766 (Yanks All-Time Record vs. Minnesota.)
3) Who will win the x-factor battle? When you have a team of All-Stars or Super Stars like the Yankees do, the X-Factor question can seem pretty lame. The Yankees are loaded with talent, but playing a team like the Twins, who are usually fundamentally sound an X-Factor always emerges. Last year it was a base running gaffe that started the demise of the Twins. This year I have chosen a few things to watch which could determine an X-Factor moment:
a) Boone Logan vs. Jim Thome When this situation happens it will be a major moment.
b) Denard Span vs. Curtis Granderson Who will be more productive?
c) Who's DH'ing? Berkman, Thames, Kearns, Kubel, Thome, Cuddyer.
4) Can the Yankees get to Carl Pavano? If you know me you know how painful this is for me to write. As a Yankee fan, I remember loving the signing of Carl Pavano. Then disaster, injury, a seeming lack of caring and of course the money. 39.95 Million for 26 Starts and 9 wins. Here are some more numbers 7IP, 5 hits, 2 ER and 9k's. 2.57 ERA. Sounds good right? I'll take that in a clinching game from a starter any day. Thanks, CC. WRONG. Those were Pavano's numbers against the Yankees in game 3 last year of the ALDS. Last year they had to face Pavano once. This year potentially twice since he will get the ball in game 2.
5) Can the Yankees stay clutch? Last year like with every championship team in history you can look through the old papers or the history books to find key moments and clutch spots in which a player stepped up and delivered in crunch time. Last year against the Twins there were two such moments. One & Two. Let's see if that will continue.
In all after being 9-2 versus the Twins in the Playoffs the last few years, I see the Yankees continuing their dominance. I like how Alex finished the season with his 14th Season of 30 HR's and 100+ RBI's even though he was injured for a bit.
Prediction: YANKEES IN 4
Tags: 2010, boone logan, burnett, pettitte, playoffs, sabathia, yankees
Views: 28
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by NYsportsGUY on
-
Can't leave the Mets alone CAN YOU?
my answers
1) Yes
2) Yes, it'll prevent Cano and Posada from hitting their usual pop fly homers #hate
3) Boone Logan wins any game he's ever played, especially Battleship ITS A HIT
4) Yankees cannot get to Carl Pavano. He will be super hype to get revenge on the Yankee team that abandoned him
5) Probably, since they're NOT the Mets #reversejinx
-
Permalink Reply by Dan on
-
Looks like this was a good start. I write another playoff review next round.
-
-
The 3rd question was really on point, looking back after the fact
© 2012 Created by NYsportsGUY.
