Tigers, Twins - Pick Your Poison

While the Yankees get their regulars some rest this week, they'll also be keeping an eye on the Detroit Tigers-Minnesota Twins series that could determine the AL Central winner and the Yankees first round opponent in this year's post-season.

The Tigers entered the four game series with a two game lead. After a rain out on Monday, the two teams are meeting in a day-night doubleheader today, followed by single games on Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon.

While the Twins have been red hot down the stretch, they are still the team the Yankees should want to play in the division series. And the reasons are pretty obvious.

1. The Yankees have dominated the Twins in recent years, including this season, winning all seven games between the two teams.

2. The Twins have no clear cut ace. While they have solid, dependable pitchers, none of them stands out as does the Tigers' Justin Verlander does.

3. The Twins have likely MVP Joe Mauer in their lineup as well as the hot hitting Michael Cuddyer. But there will be no Justin Morneau. Though the Twins scored more runs than the Tigers during the season, the Tigers have a more threatening lineup.

4. While Tigers' closer Fernando Rodney has converted 35 of 36 save opportunities, he's not an intimidating presence. The same can be said for Twins' closer Joe Nathan, whom the Yankees have had success against in previous post-seasons.

5. Some people are concerned about the Twins running game, but Minnesota had only 83 stolen bases entering today's play (the Tigers have 72). Really nothing to worry about.

So there you have it, the main reasons the Yankees should want to play the Twins. The top reason is the top reason for a reason. Okay, that sentence made me dizzy. The bottom line is that the Yankees beat up on the Twins and should want to play them over Detroit.

But what do you think? Take the new poll and let me know.

Poll: Did Joba Earn a Post-Season Start?

Joba Chamberlain's performance tonight against Boston will start a new debate as to the possibility of him making a start in the post-season. I think maybe, but what do you think? Take the new poll and let everyone know.

1st Half Ends With a Thud

As I've said before, just one you start feeling good about this team, they get derailed and have an awful series like the one just completed in Anaheim. The Yankees dropped the finale on Sunday because of a poor outing by CC Sabathia and a lack of clutch hitting (how many times has that phrase been used?).

Yesterday's game was a prime example of what's wrong with this team right now and what has plagued them all year. CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett cannot be expected to throw gems every time out, so it's a major issue when the back end of the rotation struggles.

Joba Chamberlain is pitching very poorly right now and not accepting it either. His post-game words sound a lot like the dillusional, immature statements Ian Kennedy said last year.

Andy Pettitte has not been the same since he tweaked his back. He's allowed 4 or more earned runs in 8 of his 14 starts since May 1 (5.49 ERA sine then).

Chien-Ming Wang has been hurt and/or ineffective all season. He'll be out at least a month, which means tryouts are underway. Al Aceves was ineffective in his one start and the Yankees prefer to use him in the bullpen, especially if Chamberlain and Pettitte aren't giving the team innings.

Sergio Mitre is likely to get a shot. He's gone 3-1, 2.40 in 7 starts at Scranton and has averaged better than 6 innings a start. The 27-yr old right-hander has shown promise in the past with both the Cubs and Marlins (he played for Joe Girardi), but he does hold a 5.36 career ERA. He also served a 50 game suspension for using performance enhancing drugs.

Josh Towers would be another option, but his stuff isn't as good as Mitre's. The Yankees can't afford to move Phil Hughes out of the bullpen (unless a quality reliever is acquired), which means a deal for a starter would be another option. Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Doug Davis, Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Tallet, Brian Moehler are among the mediocrity that is probably available.


The Yankees lack of clutch hitting is another matter that won't be addressed with a trade. Guys just need to step up. Girardi said that the outfield will be a mix the rest of the way. Sounds like Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, and Nick Swisher may see more bench time with Eric Hinske getting more at-bats. Despite his home run total this year and pretty good offense, Damon has solidified my position that there is no way he should be in Pinstripes next year. His outfield play has been atrocious bordering on comical. And as much I love Godzilla, this has to be his last year in Pinstripes as well.

I think they Yankees would still benefit from a bat that is better all-around hitter than Hinske. The Yankees can hit solo home runs with the best of them, but trying in that runner from third with less than two outs is far from being their specialty.

So, what do you think? Take our new poll, "What's the Yankees immediate need".