October is in the air and that means the 2010 Major League Baseball postseason is set to get underway. Before the teams take the field to begin the race to 11, we here at The Five wanted to take a look at the upcoming matchups.
#2 Minnesota Twins (96-66) vs. #4 New York Yankees (95-67)
Tale of the Tape
Season Series: 4-2 New York Yankees
Last 30 games: Minnesota: 18-12; NY Yankees: 13-17
The 2009 World Series Champions sputtered down the stretch but head into the postseason with a very favorable matchup. The Yankees have dominated the Twins in the past including a 14-2 record against Minnesota dating back to 2009 and a 3 game sweep in the playoffs one year ago. While the Bronx bombers success is evident, the Twins head into the postseason as the hottest team in the American League, posting a 48-26 record since the All Star Break.
via MLB.com
New York has several question marks as they get set to defend their crown. Most notably, the Yankees starting pitching staff seems completely up in the air behind CC Sabathia. On Tuesday, manager Joe Girardi announced that RHP AJ Burnett will not be in his rotation and LHP Andy Pettitte (still recovering from injury) and young RHP Phil Hughes will round out the Yanks three man rotation. New York still has a potent offensive attack even with down years from Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. Mariano Rivera and the recently acquired Kerry Wood make up an extremely strong back end of the bullpen. The Yankees won the World Series in 2009 using just 4 pitchers (Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte, Rivera) and Joe Girardi and staff will look to do it again in 2010.
In order for the Twins to advance to the ALCS they will have to go through the team that has stood in their way time and time again. Could this be the year Minnesota is up for the task? LHP Francisco Liriano will take the hill in Game 1 and if he is able to go toe-to-toe with CC Sabathia, all bets are off. The Twins bullpen has been a pleasant surprise, especially after the loss of closer Joe Nathan for the entire 2010 season. Without 1B Justin Morneau, C Joe Mauer and OF Delmon Young will have to elevate their play to another level.
Prediction: Yankees in 4
#1 Tampa Bay Rays (96-66) vs. #3 Texas Rangers (90-72)
Tale of the Tape
Season Series: 4-2 Tampa Bay
Last 30 Games: Tampa Bay: 15-15; Texas: 16-14
The Rays are looking to advance to their 2nd ALCS in 3 seasons. The Rangers are making their first trip to the postseason since 1999. In a battle of two offensive powerhouses, pitching will be the difference in this series.
via MLB.com
LHP Cliff Lee made history last season when he went 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in the postseason as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. The Rangers acquired Lee in July hoping he would turn into Mr. October once again. Although Lee posted a record of 4-6 with a 3.98 ERA in 15 starts with the Rangers, his pitching has turned around as of late. He closed the season with a 1.94 ERA during the month of September. Lee will look to headline the Rangers young pitching staff this October.
David Price will headline the Rays staff. The lefty phenom had a breakout season in 2010 and will look to carry over his success into the postseason. Behind Price, the Rays will rely on James Shields and Matt Garza to carry to load.
Both bullpens will be active and could be end up being the difference in this series. Both teams have outstanding closers (Rafael Soriano and Neftali Feliz respectively) but struggle in middle and late relief.
If potential AL MVP Josh Hamilton is fully healthy, the Rangers could give the Rays a major run for their money.
Prediction: Rays in 5
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