GAME 2 LINEUP FOR THE YANKEES

Tonight's Lineup

Derek Jeter SS

Curtis Granderson CF

Mark Teixeira 1B

Alex Rodriguez 3B

Robinson Cano 2B

Nick Swisher RF

Jorge Posada C

Lance Berkman DH

Brett Gardner LF

Andy Pettitte P

WHY THE YANKS CAN WIN THE ALDS

Anxious doesn't begin to describe my night. Sabathia's allowed to give up hits, I know he's not Superman, and I know the way the Yankees approach pitchers and they usually strike later in the game, so i'm pacing and looking at every move Girardi makes. For instance, it doesn't matter now, but why isn't Gardner stealing second. If Jeter gets that hit when he's on second, he may be scoring. 2-1 Twins in the 3rd. But he didn't and we ended the inning with 2 men stranded and A-Rod striking out.

Since then, the Yankees looked like they were lost for a bit, striking out like they're the Bad News Bears. I just wanted them to slow it down, take some pitches, relax. This stadium is nice, and you're not in the Bronx. You're better than that. Hit!

Then a lot of good things happened. I loved the play by Cano when it was hit up the middle and he snagged it and threw out the Twins hitter. It was graceful and brilliant. Teixeira's double was sweet in the 6th. And of course the 6th inning rally to put the Yankees up 4-3. I laughed out loud because Granderson couldn't hit left handed pitching remember? What was even more terrific was the stupid announcers were suddenly silenced like they were disappointed that the Yankees took the lead. More on the crappy announcers in a moment. Robertson's strikeout of Thome was huge in the 7th with 2 men left on base. Got to love that kid.

When Tex hit that towering home run off of Crain in the 7th I was feeling great. There were signs of the 2009 playoffs all over again. I just hope it sticks. I love that A-Rod stole a base. I've been asking for that kind of baseball for weeks.

Mo shuts the door tonight but not without controversy. Of course the umpires continue to make bad calls. Greg Golson makes an incredible 3rd out catch in the 9th that not one Ump saw it. It was clear that it was not a trap, but what can you do. After Thome pops out, the bottom line, Yanks win 6-4. 2 more to go.

Now, back to the announcers tonight. I think I hate Ron Darling more than Papelbon...talk about someone who just sucks in the booth. I want to punch my television. In fact, the whole TBS booth, Smoltz, who I used to love until now, and Ernie Johnson...they drive me up the wall. They have slobbered over Liriano like he's Nolan Ryan. They tell stories about the Twins like their folklore heroes. They speak like they've struggled so much and they deserve this win. I have 3 words. STOP THE SLANT. You're not three announcers from Minnesota, you're a National game... act like it. If I was watching the Minnesota feed, I'd be keeping my mouth shut, But I can't if you sit there and drool over this Twins team in a National arena. My God. And what the hell is Craig Sager wearing by the way?Anyway...Game 2 tomorrow night, Pettitte on the mound. Good night.

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BRINGING BACK A CHAMPIONSHIP TO THE BRONX

Last years Yankees we're magical. Here's a trip down memory lane to get us pumped for tonight's first playoff game verses the Twins.





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WHY CANO SHOULD BE THE MVP

The debate is heating up and of course, right before the playoffs everyone is saying that the Ranger's Josh Hamilton deserves the AL MVP. His numbers are great, that is true. The Rangers are in the playoffs, that helps. He has broken ribs... um, what?

Yes, Hamilton is an amazing ballplayer, .359 batting average is incredible. His 32 home runs kicked ass and he was totally on a roll, until he broke his ribs crashing into a wall on September 4th. While crashing into a wall to make a catch should alone give you the MVP, the problem is he missed the rest of the season. So why am I telling you this? Because when that happened, Cano's already stellar season went into overdrive.

He ended the season with a .319 average, 29 home runs and over 100 RBI's. Oh yeah and that little thing called hits. 200. Actually, it's 200 for the second year in a row. No small feat.

Rangers fans are now going to be all in my face. "How dare you, .359 Average is amazing. Cano doesn't hit like Hamilton." But my argument plain and simple is Cano didn't get hurt, Hamilton did. Secondly, the final weekend in Fenway, Cano left a lasting impression with the voters. He went 6-for-8 with a home run, two RBIs, two runs scored, two walks, and a stolen base in the Yankees' doubleheader against the Red Sox Saturday alone. He ended his season with an OBP of .381. I'll take that.
Hamilton's was .411, but again, he had been out since the beginning of September. Personally, I feel like that hurts his chances.

Now, there are other notables. Look at Blue Jays freak slugger Jose Bautista. 54 Home Runs, .260 average and 124 RBI's. The home runs are sick, but that's it. Wow, he had 13 home runs in 2009, 54 home runs this year. Damn, can someone test this guy? (I'm joking, no conspiracy theories) That home run total is great, but that doesn't get you an MVP award.

And let's look at Miguel Cabrera, He was an animal all year with the Tigers and if anyone is going to compete with Cano for the MVP, it's Cabrera. 38 Home Runs, 126 RBI's and 180 hits. Nice, but factor in one for thing. The Tigers aren't in the playoffs. To me, that small factor alone, could hurt him. I've always said that a winning team helps chances for personal awards because in the end, an individual's playing ability helps the team win. While the numbers are there, they aren't in the playoffs like the Yankees are and like the Rangers are. I always feel like that should be a factor. I'm not sure the voters believe that, but I do. Another factor is fielding. Cano's fielding this year has been top notch. Cabrera is not a great fielder. Hamilton is.

In the end, I'm a Yankee fan, and I've seen Cano play 162 games and play them well. He's come through in the clutch and his season is a highlight in his career. You can't take that way from him. He should be the MVP and the Yankees should be repeat World Champs... with Cano's help or course.

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GAME 1 PROJECTED LINEUP

SS Derek Jeter

RF Nick Swisher

1B Mark Teixeira

3B Alex Rodriguez

2B Robinson Cano

C Jorge Posada

DH Lance Berkman or Marcus Thames

CF Curtis Granderson

LF Brett Gardner

WHY YOU NEED TO ROOT FOR THE YANKEES

The Sports media in New York is ruthless and most of the time I can tolerate the whining and shots taken at my team when they lose or look terrible on the field. Livng around the New York media, and growing up in the Tri-state area and the fast paced attitude all around, I get it. It's always "We want it and want it now."

So why am I so aggravated at the New York media today then? I'll tell you. I hate (almost as much as Papelbon) when the sports pinheads describe the Yankees as crippled and "joyless" or "the Yanks stumbling" into the playoffs. It may be true but it's aggravating. Look, no true Yankee fan wants them getting the Wild card this year. But there are a few things people need to understand. The Yankees are in the playoffs again. They are in the playoffs for the 15th time in 16 years. I'd say that pretty sweet. Secondly, Wild card winners DO actually win World Series sometimes. It has been done a four times actually. In 1997, the Florida Marlins did it. In 2002, the Anaheim Angels did it. Oh yeah, in 2003, the Florida Marlins won again. And those Sox won it all in 2004. I hate that year. Thirdly, the Yankees are defending champs and yes, that just so happened that they had a slump in September this year. Ok, it sucks, but it happens. Think of it this way, If they sucked in the beginning of the year AND September, the Red Sox would be the Wild Card and the Yankees would be packing lockers up and going home today. So, do me a favor, back off my Yankees and pick your fights New York sports media. Back your New York Yankees and go pick on the Mets who are about to clean house after they fired Jerry Manuel today. The Yankees actually did something this year, they made the playoffs....again.

Geez.... And you wonder why Jeter is tight lipped and never says anything negative about teammates, fellow ballplayers or his own team's management. He knows better. He knows you'll turn it around into a negative in the papers. Bottom line is, it's playoff time.

Let's Go Yank-ees!

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WHY IT'S A WHOLE NEW SEASON NOW

Wild Card champs. Am I happy about it? No. Can I live with it? Yes. We're in the playoffs, that is great, but I'm not going out to buy my Wild Card Champ hat.

The Yankees did what they needed to do yesterday which was use Dustin Moseley. There is no one else and he did ok. But he did ok for Moseley. Lackey pitched great yesterday and the Yankees didn't score runs. It's that simple. It's a loss and it sucks. And by the way, it sucks to lose the last game of the season in Boston. That's the worst part of it.

So now what? CC starts us off on Wednesday night and all momentum hinges on him. CC can lift us all up. Plus scoring runs is key. It has to happen. Now, I don't want to hear about how we always beat the Twins in the playoffs and this won't be any different. The truth is it IS different. The Twins now play in an outdoor stadium and the Yankees are a different team this year. The Twins are too by the way, they're better.

The key to this series and beyond is Andy Pettitte. If CC wins game one and Pettitte wins, confidence flies high and there is no doubt was will move to the next round. If Pettitte loses, we have a problem.

Now listen, this is the playoffs. The Yankees thrive in the playoffs and when I say "Yankees" know that a lot of the team from last year is here again this year with a few supporting cast members. We can do it. The Yanks know what it takes to win. Small ball, bloop and blasts and good pitching and we got it in the bag. We don't need a sweep, but winning 3 in 4 games in the ALDS is the goal. It's now a whole new season.

WHY YANKEE FANS ARE ROYALS FANS TODAY

Sloppy Sloppy Sloppy. Errors, bad plays and a loss and suddenly, with the Rays beating the Royals last night, it's all tied up in the East. If the Yankees win today and the Rays win today, the Rays win the East and the Yankees win the Wild Card. If that happens, there shouldn't be any celebration. None. It's more than winning the division, it's winning home field advantage too.

Eric Patterson had a game winning single in the 10th of Ivan Nova and the Red Sox won the nightcap. What can you do, you had that feeling. My question is this: Nova's a good pitcher but if you notice, when there are men on base, he's a spaz. He can't hit the zone, his heads all over the place. He's been like that since he came up. Why would Girardi put Nova in that situation last night? Was he testing him? That's a bad spot to test him. Not now, work out the kinks when you're not about to be tied for the Division. I didn't get that call. It doesn't matter now though, the games over.

I was happy with Burnett. He allowed just two earned runs and six hits in six innings.

What really bothered me tonight was the errors. 4 of them. That stinks and there was a ridiculous play that Burnett just didn't have his head in. Daniel Nava had a double and then Josh Reddick hit a hard grounder to Berkman, who bobbled it. He picked it up and threw to Burnett, covering the base. Burnett caught the ball, then turned toward third, where Nava had run. But when first base umpire Brian Runge called Reddick safe, Burnett turned his back on Nava and began arguing. Nava then headed home and, with Cano pointing to the plate, Burnett finally threw the ball and it flew past Cervelli, allowing Nava to score and cut the lead to 4-3. Berkman and Burnett were charged with errors on the play.

Cervelli also dropped the ball in the 4th and had a throwing error in the 6th. Not something you want to do this late in the season. But to Cervelli's credit, he had a sac fly to move the runners over, his a run scoring single and a double later on. At least he made up for it.

Today is do or die for Moseley and the Yankees. Yes, we are in the playoffs, but for a team that started so strong, the Rays have been just as strong. I may even venture to say stronger. The matchup for New York is much more difficult today obviously, the Red Sox are not the Royals, And it's really about 1 win today, the Rays, if they win, and the Yankees win, the Yankees get the Wild Card. So let's get it done Yanks, win, or, should I say "Let's go Royals, beat the Rays." I hope the Bambino has a front row seat.

WHY FANS SMELL A DIVISION TITLE

Pettitte did pretty ok today. He appears to be back. Thank God. Is it me or do all these Yankee vs. Red Sox Games feel like a playoff game? So intense and I think I'm losing my hair.

3 main points that need to be talked about.

One was Brett Gardner. His speed is the best, and Brett, you need to run your ass off in the playoffs and we'll have a shot every time. Gardner scored in the tenth inning on a Bill Hall error. Jeter didn't mean to hit it, but did and it rolled past Papelbon (I hate him, have I mentioned that?) and 2nd baseman Hall could not bare hand it to throw him out at first. Gardner, who's so heads up on the base pads, saw this as he was approaching third and jetted home. It all worked out, we scored, Papelbon gets the loss. Love it.

Two was Cano, he's so clutch and so money he doesn't even know it. Actually, he knows it, he looks like he knows he is an awesome ballplayer. I don't care, he deserves the MVP this year hands down. Cano cranked his 29th home run of the season in the third. The kids alright in my book.

Three was Hughes. I like him starting this year but I love him in relief. Phil Hughes struck out two batters in a perfect ninth in his second relief outing of the year, keeping the score tied at 5.

Hughes also got his 18th win. Good for Phil.

Overall, today was a good day and I love that Pettitte is officially back in the saddle. Just the way he spoke in the post game report, talking about how he was ready for his first start in the playoffs next week just made me feel relief. Now, if we can only get AJ right, we'll have an even better chance.

DOUBLEHEADER YANKEES VS. RED SOX

Andy Pettitte vs. Tim Wakefield 4:05pm

AJ Burnett vs. Dice-K Matsuzaka 9:05pm

I predict a decent outing from Pettitte, as he knows Boston and has that post-season feel in his bones.

I predict trouble from AJ because confidence is down and while we brought AJ to New York because he always pitched good against Boston, the New York pressure to perform against the Sox is in his head. Combine that with no confidence and it could be a long night.

WHY THE YANKS ARE IN FIRST PLACE

Tonight the Tampa Bay Rays lost to the Kansas City Royals. Meanwhile, the Yankees vs. Sox game is still in a rain delay. I wonder if we're going to play tonight. I am so happy the Rays lost. Right now, the Yankees are a 1/2 game in first place.

I am convinced the Ghost of the Bambino is visiting Kansas City! Call me crazy but a team like the Rays doesn't lose games to a team like the Royals. Things are happening. GO YANKS!


Time to capitalize!

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WHY "GAMERS" NEVER SAY DIE

Andy Pettitte is clearly one of the most determined pitchers the Yankees have ever had. He starts the series tonight against Boston and that's great for the Yankees. The one major concern however is his stiff back. Andy's getting older and while he is still a gamer, he knows his limitations. My question is this, what if something happens tonight to further damage Andy's achy back?

Say Andy pitches 6 or 7 innings, a few strikeouts, and let's the the Yankees build a lead and at the same time tamps down any possiblity of a Sox rally, without showing any signs of back problems, we have a shot. Not only tonight but in the playoffs.

But, say Andy goes 5 innings tonight, gives up 3 runs, and feels sourness. Taking him out is something that needs to be done immediately. Then you have to worry about the playoffs. We need this guy big time in the playoffs and without him we have CC, Hughes and Moseley or Burnett. (I didn't include Vasquez because I think the dude's a goner.) That rotation will not get us past the 1st round, UNLESS we overuse our bullpen and step up our hitting big time. You can't count on that every night because then you screw your bullpen as well.

Look, I'm confident and I'm not going to be doom and gloom and there is a very good chance that Andy is fine, but Andy Pettitte has always been honest. He was honest during the Clemens scandal. He was honest in the playoffs last year when he said he felt terrible pitching in the World Series, and he is honest when he tells you he's not 100% before he pitches. He's also honest when he tells you he feels great. That's why the fans love him. I suspect he's got some back pain (not strain) and can labor through it without further injury but for God sake, I hope he doesn't become dishonest today and let the team down tonight like David Wells did all those years ago in Game 5 of the 2003 World Series when he started the game and got pulled with back trouble. The last thing I want to see is Andy trying to pitch and then need to leave with injury and let us all down, himself included.

Pitching takes a strong arm. It also takes strong legs and back. The last thing we need is a barking back. Gook luck tonight Yanks let's do this. Do it Andy and keep it honest all the way.

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