ALDS Game 3 Victory Song

3 down, 8 to go.

Some Boss for the Boss.

Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run

Yankees Polish Off Twins

Yankees Complete Sweep of Twins

Written for Baseball Digest Online by: Drew Sarver on 12th October 2009

Solid starting pitching, timely hitting by Alex Rodriguez, and poor base running by the Minnesota Twins. That’s been the standard of this years AL Division Series playoff between the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins. The trend continued last night when the Yankees defeated the Central Division title winners 4-1 to to complete a three game sweep of the first round playoff. The Yankees will now face the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who also completed a three game sweep of the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, in the ALCS beginning Friday at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees and Andy Pettitte trailed Carl Pavano and the Twins 1-0 after six innings. That’s right, the former “American Idle” had blanked the Bombers on just two hits up to that point. Pettitte was nearly Pavano’s equal, having not allowed a base runner through four innings, and just one earned run and three hits. That’s when the Yankees newest Mr. October, at least for round one round of the playoffs, struck.

Alex Rodriguez came to the plate with out in the 7th and drilled a 3-2 fastball high atop the wall in right-center field for a game tying home run. In seven career post season game against the Twins, Rodriguez has now driven in nine runs. Pavano bounced back to strike out Hideki Matsui for the inning’s second out, but Jorge Posada went the opposite way for a solo home run to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead.

The Yankees bullpen then took over as Pettitte exited with one out in the bottom of the 7th. Joba Chamberalin allowed a double to Delmon Young, but retired Brendan Harris and Jose Morales to preserve the lead. Phil Hughes would need a little luck in the 8th inning to do the same.

Nick Punto doubled to lead off the inning and Denard Span followed with a bouncer back up the middle. Derek Jeter cut the ball off, but had no play on Span at first. But the Captain alertly spun and threw home to keep Punto at third. He did more than just that. Punto had gone half way down the line and was now caught in between. He scurried back to third but Posada’s throw beat him to the bag and A-Rod applied the rally crushing tag. Instead of runners on the corners with no one out, the Twins merely had a man on first with one out. Ron Gardenhire, hands a top his head in frustration, looked on in exasperation, his team having run themselves out of another potential big inning.

Hughes retired Orlando Cabrera for the second out and Joe Girardi sent for Mariano Rivera to face Joe Mauer. Rivera shattered Mauer’s bat as the soon to be AL MVP grounded out meekly to Mark Teixeira for the final out of the inning.

Posada and Robinson Cano added RBI singles in the 9th and, after allowing a lead off single to Michael Cuddyer, Rivera retired the next three batters for a four-out save and sent the Yankees back to the ALCS for the first time since 2004.

Series Notes

Alex Rodriguez was 5-11 (.455) with 2 home runs and 6 RBI in the series.

The Yankees three starting pitchers – CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Andy Pettitte combined to allow three earned runs in 19 innings.

Johnny Damon was just 1-12 in the series and swung and missed his way to the “Golden Sombrero” in Game 3. It comes on the heels of a 22-89 (.247) last month of the season.

Andy Pettitte tied John Smoltz for the most career post season wins with 15.

Joe Mauer was 5-12 (.417) with two walks, but his RBI in Game 3 was his only one in the series.

2009 ALDS Game 3 Lineups

The Yankees have Posada back in the lineup tonight. No other changes.

SS Jeter
LF Damon
1B Teixeira
3B Rodriguez
DH Matsui
C Posada
2B Cano
RF Swisher
CF Cabrera

P Pettitte

The Twins dropped injured 3B Matt Tolbert from the roster and added Brian Buscher.

CF Span
SS Cabrera
C Mauer
1B Cuddyer
RF Kubel
LF Young
3B Harris
DH Morales
2B Punto

P Pavano


The Yankees strugged against Pavano in two starts while Pavano was a member of the Indians. Derek Jeter was 3-7, but Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher were a combined 1-11. In his career, Mark Teixeira has gone 2-6 with a home run and 5 RBI.

Joe Mauer is 4-10 with a home run and 2 RBI against Pettitte, but that's nothing compared Brendan Harris, who has gone 8-17. And Delmon Young tops that with 9-14 (.643). In fact most of the Twins lineup has a good track record against the veteran left-hander.

Game 3 Music to Fire You Up

Some music to get fired up by.

ALDS Game 2 Afterthoughts

photo courtesy of nj.com

Umpire Phil Cuzzi, is unfortunately, the most wanted man in Minnesota. And unfortunately for him, he's still working the Yankees-Twins series. Cuzzi knows he blew the call in Game 2 and there's nothing that can be done about it.

It's amazing how dumb some reporters can be. During the Game 2 press conference, a reporter asked Twins manager Ron Gardenhire if the correct call would have changed the complexion of the game. Gardenhire did his best to keep from exploding before finally saying, "The next guy got a single. You tell me."

Twins closer Joe Nathan seems to have forgotten that it was he who blew the Twins lead in the 9th.

"...hopefully the umpire realizes he has to do something to get better,” as if Cuzzi needed more on-the-job training."

Alex Rodriguez' hip surgeon Dr. Marc Phillepon watched his start client take batting practice before the game and also examined his hip. Phillepon came away impressed with what he saw and feels there's a 90% chance A-Rod won't need further surgery.

A-Rod's 3-RBI singles have knocked in Derek Jeter each time.

The Game 2 crowd was the new Stadium's first in excess of 50,000 fans.

Playoff WIn 2 Victory Song

2 down 9 to go.

Yankees Take Commanding 2-0 Lead

A-Rod, Tex Rock the Bronx

Written for Baseball Digest Online

The Minnesota Twins have been this road before. Take a lead at the new Yankee Stadium, blow the lead late, and then watch as the New York Yankees celebrate a victory with pie ala A.J.. Tonight, the script played out to perfection with the added “bonus” of a blown call by the men in blue.

Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the 9th, Mark Teixeira reached base with his first hit of the series. Alex Rodriguez then hit a deep drive off Twins’ closer Joe Nathan that landed well beyond the fence in center field for a game tying home run. Seconds after the ball left his bat, A-Rod looked over at his teammates and pumped his fist. It was a “jump on my back boys” moment for a player who won’t be hearing about post-season slumps any time soon. Oh, and A-Rod drove in the Yankees first run too.

Then after escaping a bases loaded, no out jam in the top of the 11th, the Yankees celebration began when Teixeira hit a bullet off left-hander Jose Mijares down towards the left field corner. The ball hit the top of the wall and ricocheted into the stands for a game winning homer. And yes, A.J. delivered hiscompensatory pie.

The victory ended a wild night at the new digs and put the Yankees up a commanding two games to none in the best of five series. Starters A.J. Burnett and Nick Blackburn got into a good ol’ fashioned pitcher’s duel before the Twins broke a scoreless tie in the 6th. Burnett, who walked five on the night, issued a one out free pass to Delmon Young, who stole 2nd base as Carlos Gomez struck out for the second out of the inning.

Ron Gardenhire sent light hitting Brendan Harris up to pinch-hit for Matt Tolbert, who had to leave the game with a strained oblique. Harris came through with a deep drive to left-center that eluded Johnny Damon and then caromed past Melky Cabrera for an RBI triple. Burnett got out of further trouble by getting Nick Punto to ground out to end the inning.

The Yankees, who didn’t have a hit until Robinson Cano’s single in the 5th, came right back in the home half of the 6th. Derek Jeter reached on a one out ground rule double and Damon followed with a walk. Blackburn retired Teixiera on a pop up for the second out, but A-Rod singled to left to even the game at a run apiece.

The bottom of the Twins order had a big night and they came through in the clutch against Phil Hughes in the top of the 8th. Gomez reached on a two out walk and moved to 3rd on Harris’ single to right. Punto’s single to center put the Twins up 2-1 and knocked Hughes from the game. Denard Span showed the top of the Twins order could be productive too when the lead off man singled off of Mariano Rivera for a 3-1 Minnesota lead. Rivera kept it a two run game with a strike out of Orlando Cabrera.

Both teams blew big opportunities in the game due to base running mistakes. Burnett hit both Young and Gomez with two outs in the 4th and Tolbert singled to right field. But Gomez rounded 2nd base too far and Nick Swisher alertly threw behind him to an awaiting Jeter, who applied the tag before Young could score. A very “Timo Perez” moment in New York.

The Yankees had their own snafu as they appeared ready to win the game in the 10th. Jorge Posada reached on a one out single and was replaced on the bases by Brett Gardner. The Yankees top base stealing threat easily swiped 2nd base and then moved to 3rd when Nathan’s errant pick off throw sailed in center field. Gardenhire elected to walk Jeter to set up the double play and the Yankees unwittingly obliged.

Damon hit a line drive that ticked off Nathan’s glove towards Cabrera at short. Gardner misread the ball and took off for home. Cabrera snagged the line drive and easily doubled Gardner off the 3rd as the Twins finally got a break. But it was a break they couldn’t take advantage of, thanks in part to left field umpire Phil Cuzzi (pronounced Cuz-zee; and you know people in Minnesota will realize what that rhymes with).

Mauer sliced a fly ball down the left field line off of Damaso Marte and just out of the reach of Melky Cabrera, who had moved over from center field at the start of the inning. The ball clearly landed several inches in fair territory before bouncing into the stands for what should have been a ground rule double. But Cuzzi emphatically ruled it foul. Without a good angle to see it, no one from the Twins argued the call.

It seemed like it wouldn’t matter when Mauer and Jason Kubel stroked back to back singles, and David Robertson gave up another base hit to Michael Cuddyer to load the bases with no one out. But with the infield playing in, Teixiera gloved Young’s hot smash for the first out. Gomez then swung at the first pitch, as did Young, and grounded to Teixeira, who threw home for the force out. Robertson and the Yankees were then able to breath again when Harris flew out to Gardner in center field for the final out of the inning.

And then the players took their roles and Yankees Stadium witnessed its’ 16th walk-off victory of the season.

2009 ALDS - Game 2 Lineups

No surprises in the Yankees lineup (since we already knew about Molina)

SS Jeter
LF Damon
1B Teixeira
3B Rodriguez
DH Matsui
RF Swisher
2B Cano
CF Cabrera
C Molina

P Burnett

For the visiting Twins:

RF Span
SS Cabrera
C Mauer
RF Kubel
1B Cuddyer
LF Young
CF Gomez
3B Tolbert
2B Punto

P Blackburn


Only Johnny Damon (3-11) and Nick Swisher (3-12) have double digit at-bats against Blackburn. Mark Teixeira is perfect against the right-hander, going 6-6 with a home run and 5 RBI. On the other end, Robinson Cano is 0-8.

Orlando Cabrera has the most at-bats (28) against Burnett, while 8 others have 10 or more. Joe Mauer is 5-13 (.385) with 1 RBI. Among them, Michael Cuddyer 2-13 (.154), Jason Kubel 5-17 (.235), and Delmon Young 3-10 (.300).

Orlando Cabrera is Weak

Tip of the hat to the Mrs. for finding this. Orlando Cabrera, never one afraid to cut the mustard, tried to break a bat across his knee last night. Tried being the key word.

Cabrera had just struck out on a 95-mph fastball, down in the zone, from Phil Hughes.

Here's the full sequence from Big League Stew.

Playoffs Win 1 Victory Song

Hopefully there will be 10 more of these!

Pat Benatar - All Fired Up

Some Game 1 Thoughts

Workouts after victories aren't so bad.

The sun is always a little brighter after a nice win. Some thoughts about last night's win.

. How good does A-Rod feel this morning? A-Rod got the monkey off his back with a couple of RBI singles. It was strange seeing Kate Hudson and Jay-Z celebrating together.

. Derek Jeter is Derek Jeter. The Captain of Clutch comes through again with a 2-run, game tying home run that rocks the house. (Great piece on being Jeterian by the Star Ledger's Steve Politi)

.Was it necessary for Joe Girardi to go with Mariano Rivera in the 9th? With a day off today, Girardi probably wanted to keep Mo sharp. But after getting two quick outs, Rivera issued a walk and gave up a base hit. Suddenly his pitch count was to 23. No reason to yank Phil Hughes with two outs in the 8th either.

. Jorge Posada thought he had Game 1 off too. Posada and CC Sabathia crossed each other up, once each according to Sabathia, which resulted in a pair of passed balls for Posada. To make matters worse, Posada lolly gagged after one of the pitches, enabling Joe Mauer to score from third base.

Posada made a nice block on a pitch in the dirt later in the game, but couldn't locate the ball, allowing two runners to advance. The YES Network's John Flaherty pointed out that Posada didn't freeze the base runner at second with his eyes.

. TBS isn't as annoying as FOX. Okay, someone on Twitter pointed out to me that I set the bar pretty low on that one. Chip Caray is carrying on a family tradition of bad/annoying/inebriated (ok, that was just grandpa Harry, though maybe that applies to Dad Skip too) announcers. The "internets" are still laughing about Caray's overuse of the word "fisted" in the Twins-Tigers one game playoff.

I've always like Ron Darling as a commentator, but he was rambling last night and threw in a few malapropisms ("Joba needs to grab the antlers" - it's "grab the bull by the horns", Ron).

TBS had some of the same nonsense production as FOX though- Trying to break the record for talking about the Yankees payroll and failed playoff performances. They brought up all the negative stats for A-Rod, even when he did come through with a clutch hit.

There was sound/audtio problems, but nothing compared to those that took place in the two other division series games that TBS showed yesterday. The Cards-Dodgers was particularly bad.

. Mark Teixeira's start to the playoffs made me think of Tino in '96.

. Orlando Cabrera is annoying.

. Still surprised Ron Gardenhire pitched to A-Rod with a man in scoring position after A-Rod's earlier RBI hit.


As you may or may not know, we/me/I here at My Pinstripes tweet quite a bit during games. There's good interaction between the Yankees fans, beat writers, and other baseball people. I encourage you to join, if you haven't already, and follow me

Tweet of the Night - Have to go with Steve Politi (NJ_StevePoliti): "If Posada gets the game-winning hit, does Burnett send Molina out to pie him?"

A-Rod Revival Sparks Yankees to Game One Win

Alex Rodriguez doesn't need to hear the stats to know how bad his recent post-seasons have been. But in Game 1 of the American League Division Series tonight in the Bronx, A-Rod started to make amends for those post-season failures.

A-Rod had a pair of RBI singles and the New York Yankees spanked the Minnesota Twins, 7-2 to take a 1-0 lead in the best of five series. A-Rod wasn't alone though in getting off to a good post-season start.

Derek Jeter reached safely in all four at-bats and belted the first playoff home run in the new Yankee Stadium. It tied the game at two apiece in the 3rd inning and fired up the home crowd that had been temporarily silenced when the Twins took a 2-0 lead.

Nick Swisher doubled in the 4th scored Robinson Cano all the way from first base to give the Yankees their first lead of the night. A-Rod's RBI single off of rookie starter Brian Duensing an inning later put the Bombers ahead by two and the next hitter, Hideki Matsui, hit a long home run to straight away center field off lefty Francisco Liriano for a 6-2 Yankees lead.

CC Sabathia wasn't spectacular, but was very good. He threw 113 pitches in 6 2-3 innings and allowed one earned run. The Twins put two runs on the board against him with two outs in the 3rd. Orlando Cabrera singled and Joe Mauer followed with a double to the gap in left-center. Michael Cuddyer's single to right brought home one run and Mauer scored when Jorge Posada couldn't handle Sabathia's delivery for a passed ball.

Sabathia passed an immediate test in the 1st inning when Denard Span reached 3rd base with less than two outs. But the Yankees ace struck out Mauer and retired Cuddyer on a fly out to center. He exited with two on and two out in the 7th, but Phil Hughes stranded the runners when he struck out Cabrera.

Game Notes

Even with Hideki Matsui on deck, odd decision by Ron Gardnehire to pitch to Alex Rodriguez with Derek Jeter on 3rd base in the 7th. A-Rod delivered his second RBI single, this time off of Jon Rauch.

Admiral Eric Olson threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Derek Jeter's home run was the 18th of his post-season career.

Mariano Rivera pitched the 9th inning, allowing a 2-out walk and a single before retiring Cabrera to end the game.

Jorge Posada had the dubious distinction of committing two passed balls.

Scoring recap

Top 1st: Minnesota

- D. Span doubled to left center

- O. Cabrera struck out swinging

- D. Span to third on passed ball

- J. Mauer struck out swinging

- M. Cuddyer flied out to center

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 0, NY Yankees 0

Bottom 1st: NY Yankees

- D. Jeter singled to shallow left

- J. Damon popped out to right center

- M. Teixeira grounded out to shortstop, D. Jeter to second

- A. Rodriguez flied out to right

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 0, NY Yankees 0

Top 2nd: Minnesota

- J. Kubel struck out swinging

- D. Young struck out swinging

- B. Harris singled to shallow center

- M. Tolbert grounded into fielder's choice, B. Harris out at second

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 0, NY Yankees 0

Bottom 2nd: NY Yankees

- H. Matsui grounded out to second

- J. Posada flied out to right

- R. Cano struck out looking

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 0, NY Yankees 0

Top 3rd: Minnesota

- N. Punto singled to shallow center

- D. Span grounded into double play third to second to first, N. Punto out at second

- O. Cabrera singled to shallow right center

- J. Mauer doubled to left center, O. Cabrera to third

- M. Cuddyer singled to shallow right, O. Cabrera scored, J. Mauer to third

- J. Mauer scored, M. Cuddyer to second on passed ball

- J. Kubel struck out swinging

2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 0

Bottom 3rd: NY Yankees

- N. Swisher lined out to left

- M. Cabrera singled to left

- M. Cabrera to second on wild pitch

- D. Jeter homered to deep left, M. Cabrera scored

- J. Damon singled to left

- M. Teixeira grounded into fielder's choice, J. Damon out at second

- A. Rodriguez struck out swinging

2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 2

Top 4th: Minnesota

- D. Young struck out swinging

- B. Harris flied out to center

- M. Tolbert grounded out to second

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 2

Bottom 4th: NY Yankees

- H. Matsui grounded out to first

- J. Posada singled to shallow right

- R. Cano grounded into fielder's choice, J. Posada out at second

- N. Swisher doubled to shallow left, R. Cano scored

- M. Cabrera struck out swinging

1 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 3

Top 5th: Minnesota

- N. Punto lined out to second

- D. Span struck out swinging

- O. Cabrera singled to shallow left

- O. Cabrera stole second

- J. Mauer grounded out to second

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 3

Bottom 5th: NY Yankees

- D. Jeter walked

- J. Damon grounded out to first, D. Jeter to second

- M. Teixeira popped out to right

- A. Rodriguez singled to left center, D. Jeter scored

- F. Liriano relieved B. Duensing

- H. Matsui homered to deep center, A. Rodriguez scored

- J. Posada struck out looking

3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 6

Top 6th: Minnesota

- M. Cuddyer lined out to shortstop

- J. Kubel fouled out to third

- D. Young flied out to left center

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 6

Bottom 6th: NY Yankees

- R. Cano grounded out to second

- N. Swisher flied out to shallow center

- M. Cabrera flied out to center

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 6

Top 7th: Minnesota

- B. Harris struck out looking

- M. Tolbert hit by pitch

- N. Punto singled to pitcher, M. Tolbert to second

- M. Tolbert to third, N. Punto to second on wild pitch

- D. Span flied out to right

- P. Hughes relieved C. Sabathia

- O. Cabrera struck out swinging

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 6

Bottom 7th: NY Yankees

- D. Jeter walked

- J. Damon safe at first on first baseman M. Cuddyer's fielding error, D. Jeter to second

- M. Teixeira grounded out to third

- J. Rauch relieved F. Liriano

- A. Rodriguez singled to right, D. Jeter scored

- H. Matsui walked, A. Rodriguez to second

- J. Posada grounded out to second

1 runs, 1 hits, 1 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 7

Top 8th: Minnesota

- J. Mauer singled to shallow center

- M. Cuddyer struck out swinging

- P. Coke relieved P. Hughes

- J. Kubel lined out to first

- J. Chamberlain relieved P. Coke

- D. Young grounded into fielder's choice, J. Mauer out at second

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 7

Bottom 8th: NY Yankees

- R. Mahay relieved J. Rauch

- R. Cano grounded out to pitcher

- N. Swisher flied out to left

- M. Cabrera struck out looking

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 7

Top 9th: Minnesota

- B. Gardner in center field

- M. Cabrera in right field

- M. Rivera relieved J. Chamberlain

- B. Harris struck out swinging

- M. Tolbert struck out looking

- N. Punto walked

- D. Span singled to shallow center, N. Punto to third

- O. Cabrera grounded out to second

0 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors

Minnesota 2, NY Yankees 7

Those Other Series

I haven't forgotten about the rest of the playoffs, just been more focused on the Yankees' ALDS match up. But here's how I see things:

Red Sox vs. Angels

The Angels have been miserable in the playoffs against Boston and I don't see it changing. The Angels should be able to run at will against Jason Varitek and Victor Martinez, but Boston's 1-2 punch of Josh Beckett and Jon Lester is awfully tough.

The Angels have been through a lot this year with Nick Adenhart's death and a rash of injuries, and Mike Scosia has done an amazing job of keeping it all together. But I don't see the Angels' rotation, outside of John Lackey, shutting down the Boston lineup.

Prediction: Boston in 5


Rockies vs. Phillies

The Phillies have had their problems this season, particularly in the bullpen, but there's still plenty of talent in the starting rotation and a powerful offense.

The Rockies turned things around when manager Clint Hurdle was replaced by Jim Tracey, and played some of the baseball in the 2nd half. I don't like their starting pitching in this series. None of them scare you.


Prediction: Phillies in 3


Cardinals vs. Dodgers

St. Louis easily outclassed the heavily favored Cubs to win the NL Central. The Dodgers had a cake walk in the NL West, at least until the last 2 weeks of the season. Then things got ugly and they nearly blew the division (though they would have made the playoffs either way).

The difference in this series will be the Cards' top 2 starters - Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright should be able to shut down the Dodgers bats, which have been slumping of late. And Albert > Manny.

Prediction: Cardinals in 4

Yankees-Twins Preview

Yankees-Twins ALDS Preview

Written for Baseball Digest Online

It took 12 innings Tuesday, but the Minnesota Twins finally emerged as the New York Yankees’ opponent in the first round. The “real season” begins today at 6 p.m. ET at the big ballyard in the Bronx. The first playoff series held in the new Yankee Stadium has already been dubbed by Minnesota natives as “David vs. Goliath”. But don’t be fooled by that. While the the Twins may not have the payroll the Yankees do, they have the scouting and player development to compete with the big boys on an annual basis.

Time to take a look at the two teams.

Positional Breakdown

The Managers

Joe Girardi is seeing his first playoff action. He’s leading a team with high regular season win totals and even higher post-season expectations. Under Joe Torre, the Yankees made three straight first round exits followed by not even making the playoffs in 2008. The pressure will be on Girardi to win the Yankees’ 27th championship

Ron Gardenhire has been to the post-season four previous times, losing three times in the first round. This is the Twins’ first trip back to the post-season since 2006. Gardenhire is a great in-game manager and likes to play little ball. He’ll have to find a way to stop the Yankees, who beat the Twins in all seven meetings this season.

Edge: Twins (Slight nod to Gardenhire)

1st Base

Mark Teixeira had a tremendous season in his first year in the Bronx. After signing an 8-yr, $180 million contract in the off-season, Teixeira had his usual early struggles, but than played MVP caliber baseball the rest of the year. He tied for the AL lead in HR, won the RBI crown, and is in contention for a gold glove for his defense.

Michael Cuddyer is one of the main reasons the Twins made the playoffs. Cuddyer stepped up his game when regular 1st baseman Justin Morneau went down with a season-ending injury. He hit 8 home runs and drove in 24 runs in the last month of the season.

Edge: Yankees

2nd Base

Robinson Cano enjoyed his best offensive season in 2009. He banged out a career-high 204 hits and 25 home runs, and drove in 85 runs. Though Cano still struggled with runners in scoring position, he was dynamite at setting the table. Cano’s defense has gotten better every year and this season he was a true gold glove contender.

Nick Punto’s scrappy play is loved by his manager. Punto can do all the little things that help the Twins win ball games – bunt, defense, base running. The thing he can’t do is hit much, and that could hurt the Twins in the long run. Alexi Casilla is another option for Gardenhire.

Edge: Yankees

Shortstop

Derek Jeter enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career (at age 35, no less). Not only did Jeter excel on offense, but he was lauded for his defensive prowess as well. He committed just 8 errors while showing improved range. Jeter put together an MVP contender season at the plate. He surpassed 200 hits for the 7th time, topped the century mark in runs scored (17), hit 18 home runs, drove in 66 runs, and swiped 30 bases in 35 attempts. His .871 OPS was the 4th best of his career and his highest total in three seasons.

Orlando Cabrera brought 13 seasons of major league experience to the Twins when he was acquired from the A’s at the trade deadline. He gives the Twins a steady bat and glove and 31 games of post-season experience.

Edge: Yankees

3rd Base

Alex Rodriguez missed the first month of the season, but put up tremendous numbers in spite of it. His big bang theory in this past Sunday’s game put him at the 30-HR/ 100-RBI mark for the 12th straight year. His return to the lineup also helped kick start Teixeira and the entire team. He has always played stellar defense and showed more range as the season went on and his surgically repaired hip improved.

Matt Tolbert is a .228 lifetime hitter with some speed. That’s about all you can say.

Edge: Yankees

Left Field

Johnny Damon put together a solid season in a contract year (24 HR, .854 OPS, 107 Runs, 36 doubles). He’s not the defensive player he once was, and could be replaced in games Melky Cabrera who would slide over from center field and be replaced by Brett Gardner.

Delmon Young hasn’t put together the season that both his former (Rays) and current teams have expected. But he did drive in 10 runs in the last three Twins games to help the team reach this point.

Edge: Yankees

Center Field

Melky Cabrera was riding the pines when the season started, having lost the center field job to Brett Gardner. But the Melkman persevered and eventually took over the spot. He was one of the Yankees’ most clutch players in late inning situations.

Denard Span became the table setter the Twins were expecting Carlos Gomez to be.

Edge: Even

Right Field

Nick Swisher was another Yankee without a job. Swishilicious took over right field full-time when Xavier Nady when down with an elbow injury and took advantage. Though he didn’t hit for average, the Yankees’ rock ‘n roll right fielder hit 29 home runs, 35 doubles, drove in 82 and scored 84. He also drew 92 walks to help put up an .869 OPS. Just as importantly, he helped loosen up the stodgy Yankees clubhouse.

Jason Kubel had the word “potential” attached to him for a long time. Knee injuries slowed down his progress, but Kubel has emerged as a bona fide major league hitter. His two 3-run home runs on Sunday helped assure the Twins of playing another day. He hit .300 and posted careers high in HR and RBI (27, 100) and posted a .905 OPS. He’s better suited for DH, but will see time in RF.

Edge: Twins

Catcher

Jorge Posada came back with a bang from last season’s shoulder surgery. Hip Hip Jorge belted 22 home runs and drove in 81 runs in just 111 games. He’ll sit in favor of Jose Molina, however, when A.J. Burnett is pitching.

Joe Mauer has done it all this season- a season in which he will earn the AL MVP award. His gaudy offensive numbers: .364/.442/.586 (28 HR, 96 RBI) shouldn’t overlshadow what a superb game caller/defender he is.

Edge: Twins

DH

Hideki Matsui may be in his last season in Pinstripes, but despite a bad knee, he was solid. Godzilla had a huge second half to finish with 28 HR and 90 RBI.

Kubel may start some games at DH depending on how Gardenhire wants to set up the outfield. Anyone other than Kubel will have a huge drop off in production.

Edge: Yankees

Bench

Yankees have much more depth/versatility on the bench. They can go power (Hinske), speed (Gardner) or utility (Hairston).

Twins have a big time speed threat in Carlos Gomez, but not much else.

Edge: Yankees

Starting Rotation

Yankees – CC Sabathia will get game 1 and 4 assignments. A.J. Burnett handles 2 and 5, with Andy Pettitte getting game 3.

Twins – Minnesota goes with rookie Brian Duensing in game 1, Nick Blackburn in 2, and Carl Pavano in game 3. Scott Baker will most likely get game 4, with Blackburn brought back for game 5.

Edge: Yankees

Bullpen

Yankees – The Yankees’ one-two punch of Mariano Rivera and Phil Hughes is among the best in baseball right now. Rivera is Rivera. Hughes has developed into one of the nastiest set-up men. Now he’ll have to continue it in the post-season. Joe Girardi will mix and match and has the “luxury”(?) of using Joba Chamberlain for an inning here and there.

Twins - Joe Nathan is one of the best closers in the game, but the Yankees have had success against him in the past. Matt Guerrier and Jose Mijares will be counted on in key situations.

Edge: Yankees

PREDICTION – Yankees in 4

2009 ALDS - Game 1 Lineups

The time for surprises are out the window. The Yankees lineup is pretty obvious.

SS Jeter

LF Damon

1B Teixeira

3B A. Rodriguez

C Posada

2B Cano

RF Swisher

CF M. Cabrera

P Sabathia

For the Twins:

CF Span

SS O. Cabrera

C Mauer

1B Cuddyer

RF Kubel

LF Young

DH Harris

3B Tolbert

2B Punto

P Duensing

The Yankees have had limited exposure to Duensing, with Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira both 1-2. No other Yankee has more than one at-bat against the rookie left-hander.

Sabathia, on the other hand, has had great success against this Twins lineup.

Span 1-3

O. Cabrera 5-33 (.152)

Mauer 5-23 (.217)

Cuddyer 11-52 (.212)

Kubel 0-2

Young 3-15 (.200)

Harris 3-15 (.200)

Tolbert no AB

Punto 6-36 (.167)

That's a combined 34-214 (.159)

Yankees Playoff Roster Finalized

Courtesy of the Yes Network:

Position players (14)
Derek Jeter
Johnny Damon
Mark Teixeira
Alex Rodriguez
Jorge Posada
Hideki Matsui
Robinson Cano
Nick Swisher
Melky Cabrera
Brett Gardner
Jerry Hairston Jr.
Jose Molina
Eric Hinske
Francisco Cervelli

Pitchers (11)
CC Sabathia
A.J. Burnett
Andy Pettitte
Mariano Rivera
Phil Hughes
David Robertson
Damaso Marte
Phil Coke
Alfredo Aceves
Joba Chamberlain
Chad Gaudin

I'm a little surprised that the Yankees took 3 catchers, however it became pretty much an automatic when Joe Girardi decided to have Jose Molina catch A.J. Burnett in game 2 (and possibly an "if necessary" game 5).

I thought at this point Brian Bruney, based on recent outings, would make the squad, but he too was left off. Apparently Girardi is still not comfortable enough to trust Bruney in big spots.

Jerry Hairston Jr., rather than Ramiro Pena, made the team as the utility infielder, meaning his wrist must be in pretty good shape.

No surprise that Eric Hinske made the roster to add some pop off the bench.

Twins it is

71% of you who took our poll wanted the Twins to be the Yankees opponent. For better or worse, you got your wish. It took 12 innings of exciting baseball yesterday before Minnesota finally beat the Detroit Tigers 6-5 in their one game playoff.

Alexi Casilla singled home Carlos Gomez with the winning run off closer Fernando Rodney, who was working his 4th inning. Rodney had already blown a one run lead in the 10th, but manger Jim Leyland decided he was the only guy to go to.

The Division Series starts this evening at 6 p.m. EDT with CC Sabathia facing rookie Brian Duensing. Stay tuned for a more in-depth ALDS preview later today.

In Search of Number 27

This is a new series I have started for Baseball Digest that will take a look at the Yankees past Octobers.

Shades of October: 1976

As the Yankees begin the hunt for their 27th World Championship, it’s time to reflect on some of their past successes, and failures.

Any New York Yankees fan born in the early 1960’s was too late for the amazing run of 12 pennants in 14 seasons. The Yankees made the World Series series every season from 1960 through 1964, winning twice (’61,’62), but those fans like myself were too young to remember. Then then “Declinasty” began in 1965.

The team had become full of aging veterans that were well past their prime. Future Hall of Fame members Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford were shells of their former selves. Ownership fired manager Yogi Berra after the ‘64 season, despite leading the team to the World Series. The team’s majority stake was sold to CBS, beginning a near of decade of hands off ownership.

Good players were few and far between – Bobby Murcer, Thurman Munson, Mel Stottelmyre, and Roy White came up through the ranks, but the Yankees always fell short of being in top tier in the American League. Then came the sale of the Yankees to George Steinbrenner, a shipping magnate who was a self confessed “football guy”. Steinbrenner started shaking things up and the team started to improve.

The culmination came in 1976 when the Yankees, helmed by former player Billy Martin, won their title since division play began in 1969. They would be returning to the post-season for the first time in 12 years, the first in which they would have to win a playoff series to reach the World Series.

The AL championship series with the Kansas City Royals was tied at two games apiece, with the fifth and final game played on October 14, 1976 at Yankee Stadium. The Bronx landmark had reopened six months earlier after a two year renovation. Nearly 57,000 people packed the “House that Ruth Built” to see Ed Figueroa square off against Dennis Leonard. Figueroa, who two years later would become the first Puerto Rican born pitcher to win 20 games, had won 19 games in his first year in Pinstripes.

The Yankees were up 6-3 in the 8th inning and appeared set to celebrate their first pennant in over a decade. But George Brett had other plans. With two men aboard and left-hander Grant Jackson on the mound, Brett unloaded a game tying 3-run home run into the right field seats. A loud, mass groan reverberated throughout the Stadium.

Royals reliever Mark Littell had retired all five Yankees he had faced in the 7th and 8th innings, and took the mound to start the 9th. Littell had been good throughout the series, allowing just three hits and one walk in 4 2-3 innings. Yankees 1st baseman Chris Chambliss stepped up to the plate having already driven a pair of runs with a sacrifice fly and a ground out. Yankees radio announcer Bill White told his listeners that Chambliss had the big hits for the Yankees all season long. He was clairvoyant. Chambliss turned on the first pitch and hit it deep to right-center field. Right fielder Hal McRae got to the wall, but leaped in vein as Chambliss’ ball was well out of reach.

Instant pandemonium struck the Bronx- fans stormed the field as Chambliss rounded the bases, barreling through and over anyone who got in his way. Chambliss was never sure if he touched home plate, so eventually he got a police escort from the dugout to where home plate had been. He stepped firmly on the dirt to ensure the Yankees first trip to the World Series in what seemed like forever.

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.