ALCS Offense:

• Yanks: .201/.300/.370
• Rangers: .303/.378/.512

ALCS Pitching:

• Yanks: 7.44 K/9; 1.79 K/BB; 4.15 BB/9; 1.56 HR/9; 6.58 ERA; 8 IBB
• Rangers: 8.83 K/9; 2.08 K/BB; 4.24 BB/9; 1.02 HR/9; 3.06 ERA; 1 IBB

Obviously it could have gone much better, but, in my opinion, they were lucky to get to Game 6. The team was outplayed in pretty much every game except Game 5.

Now I’m not one to point blame, but Swish Dog went 2-for-22 (.091) in the ALCS, A-Rod was 4-for-21 (.190) in the ALCS and 7-for-32 (.219) in the playoffs, Gardy was 5-for-27 (.185) in the playoffs, Thames was 4-for-23 (.174) in the playoffs, and Tex was 0-for-the-first-four-games of the ALCS. You’re not going to win too many series with your hitters not hitting.

Plus, Phil was anything but Philthy. I know he’s young, had a great season and was lights out in the ALDS, but he came apart in the ALCS. After throwing a seven-inning, four-hit gem against the Twins he was shelled for 11 runs on 14 hits with six strikeouts to seven walks in 8 2/3 innings in two ALCS starts. I’ve got a feeling that the long rest in the playoffs played a role in his less-than-stellar showing. Of course he still has a bright future and I’m glad to have him on the Yanks. I still love you Phil.

What’s really surprising is that Grandy and Berkman, two players that served as punching bags for Yankee fans for much of the season, hit 10-for-28 (.357) and 5-for-16 (.313), respectively, in the 2010 postseason. That just goes to prove the old proverb correct: regular season zero, playoff hero…or vice versa in some cases.

For what it’s worth I wouldn’t make any changes in the outfield, I like it the way it is. I don’t want the Yanks to get Crawford or Werth. I hope they re-sign Jeet, try to keep Kerry Wood and go after Cliff Lee. However, I think he stays with the Rangers…unfortunately.

Also, and this has nothing to do with the outcome of the ALCS, I hope Girardi doesn’t return. I hate him and his binder, and I think some of his pitching decisions this year were mind boggling. Some of the moves he made in September and throughout the season were absurd. He also left AJ in too long in Game 4 and didn’t have a short enough leash for Hughes in the playoffs, among other things. I’m not a fan of his, to say the least.

Oh well. Only 113 days until pitchers and catchers report, 129 days until all players report and 159 days until Opening Day! Go get ‘em next year. I’m still proud to be a fan of the New York Yankees and am glad I don’t root for the Mets.

LET’S GO YANKS!!!

CC didn’t have his best stuff but he made do and shut the Rangers down, while the bats came alive for seven runs on nine hits. Swish Dog, Cano and C-Grizzle all went yard and every starter except Gardy reached base at least once. It was, of course, a win the team desperately needed and the victory restored faith in Yankeeland (at least until Friday).

The bottom line is that if the team continues to play like this nobody can beat them. Now it’s up to Philthy to send it to a Game 7, he will be taking on Colby Lewis in the most important game of the season — Game 6 on Friday night in Arlington.

LET’S GO YANKS!!!!!

I don’t have much else to add, Tex is gone until April and it’s do or die time for the Yanks. CC is on the bump but if the offense doesn’t get going it doesn’t matter who’s pitching.

We have to look at it like this: I know it looks bad for the Yanks right now but if they win today then they have Philthy and Pettitte going in Games 6 and 7. It’s not impossible.

LET’S GO YANKS!!!!

Lee went eight innings and gave up just two hits while fanning 13 batters and walking just one, and probably would have gone the distance if the Rangers didn’t blow the game open in the ninth. Not much more can be said about Lee, he’s absolutely filthy. His numbers in two LCS starts are: 16IP, 5H, 0R, 1BB, 23K. HoLEE shit. He’ll look handsome in pinstripes next season.

Lost in the hoopla of Lee’s fantastic start was Andy Pettitte, who threw a great game as well. Making his 42nd career postseason start in his 30th postseason series (both records), Pettitte went seven innings and gave up two runs on five hits with five strikeouts and no walks. Considering he was at 61 pitches through three innings (finished with 110 pitches), it’s amazing he lasted that long. After a shaky first inning he settled down and had a great game. He now has a MLB-record 263 career postseason innings pitched.

I’m not pissed at the offense for last night, as stated before, there’s not much you can do against Cliff Lee. But look at these three stats: Jeter has struck out in five of his last six at-bats; in 99 career postseason plate appearances Tex is hitting .176/.283/.318, and if you take out the IBB and HBP his OBP is .242; the Yankees’ 1-4 hitters were 0-14 last night and have combined to go 6-for-48 (.125) in the ALCS. They have got to start hitting if they want to advance this year, that’s all there is to it.

If you look at the big picture, the Yankees have really been outplayed in 26 of 27 innings this ALCS. I hate to say it, but they really got lucky with the eighth inning of Game 1. However, I do hope they come back Tuesday night for Game 4, play like the team we know they are capable of playing like and make me look like an ass for writing that. I wouldn’t mind that one bit.

The Yanks will send Allan James Burnett to the mound against Tommy Hunter in the fourth installment of this ALCS Tuesday night.

These guys don’t know what the fuck they’re talking about:

LET’S GO YANKS!!!!!

The Yanks split the season series with the Rangers 4-4, with the Yanks scoring 39 runs and allowing 33. For those of you scoring at home, I’m predicting the Yanks in five games.

In case you haven’t heard, the Yanks will go with a four-man rotation in the ALCS and AJ Burnett will be the team’s fourth starter. Burnett didn’t sniff the field in the ALDS but I’m first in line to hop back on the AJ bandwagon, I think he turns in a lights-out performance in whatever game he pitches. I’ve got faith in you buddy, don’t let me down.

The only thing set in stone regarding the rotation is that CC will get the nod in Game 1. Andy and Phil will of course be the second and third starters, but it hasn’t been decided yet who will go in Games 2 and 3. Many of the beatwriters are predicting CC-Philthy-Pettitte-AJ-CC-Philthy-Pettitte against CJ Wilson-Colby Lewis-Lee-Tommy Hunter-Wilson-Lewis-Lee.

Larry Koestler over at Yankeeist has broken down the team numbers. It’s a fantastic read if you get the chance.

Also, Damaso Marte — who last pitched on July 7 — will most likely need surgery on his left shoulder and is obviously out for the rest of the postseason. It’s a shame because he was lights out in the 2009 postseason.

Game 1 is set for Friday night at 8:05 in Texas.

LET’S GO YANKS!!!!

Game 1: Friday, October 15; Yankees @ TB/TEX, 8:07

Game 2: Saturday, October 16; Yankees @ TB/TEX, 4:07

Game 3: Monday, October 18; TB/TEX @ Yankees, 8:07

Game 4: Tuesday, October 19; TB/TEX @ Yankees, 8:07

Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, October 20; TB/TEX @ Yankees, 4:07

Game 6 (if necessary): Friday October 22; Yankees @ TB/TEX, 8:07

Game 7 (if necessary): Saturday, October 23; Yankees @ TB/TEX, 8:07

What’s interesting is that they’re playing a postseason game (if necessary) at Yankee Stadium during the day. I get why they scheduled it like that (NLCS will be on the west coast), but it’s still weird to see.

LET’S GO YANKS!!!!