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September 13, 2007
Root, Root, Root...For The Indians?
For the Yankees to win this October, Worm Killer Wang and Andy Pettitte are going to have to out-pitch the "Big Two" of whoever the Yankees are facing in a given series.
This means that Wang and Pettitte will have to better Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling of the Red Sox. It means that Wang and Pettitte will have to better Kelvim Escobar and John Lackey of the Angels. And, it means that Wang and Pettitte will have to better C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona of the Indians.
I like the Yankees chances against Beckett and Schilling. But, we know that New York will not face Boston in the ALDS. Therefore, perhaps the toughest part of the Yankees reaching the World Series this year will be getting past the ALDS.
Offensively speaking, the Indians and Angels are about equal – in terms of overall team effectiveness.
So, who does it serve the Yankees best to face in the ALDS? When you factor in home field advantage, travel time, and past history, it’s clear that the Yankees want to face the Indians in the ALDS this season – and let the Red Sox play the Angels.
For this to happen, the Indians need to win more games than the Angels this season – and, currently, Cleveland is one win behind Los Angeles. So, if you’re a Yankees fan, it might make sense to start rooting for the Indians to win games...until the regular season is over.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at September 13, 2007 08:49 AM
Comments
I don't like this at all. It REEKS of last year, when everyone was rooting for the Tigers to pass Minnesota, so the Yankees wouldn't have to face Santana two times. The Tigers, who while being a good team the Yankees manhandled all year.
This is the year of ultimate revenge. The Yankees will beat the Angels in the ALDS in 5 games, making up for past postseason embarassment. The Yankees will sweep the Red Sox in the ALCS, making up for 2004. And then the Yankees will clobber the Mets in the World Series, just because.
Maybe then Dayn Perry will just switch "Red Sox" to "Yankees" in that article of his.
Posted by: Andrew ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 13, 2007 10:16 AM
Hell, as I wrote back in July:
http://www.waswatching.com/archives/2007/07/those_guys_agai.html
"...all the teams who potentially stand between the Yankees and their returning to the World Series this October are all the A.L. teams who have knocked the Yankees out of the post-season over the last ten years: Indians ('97), Angels ('02 & '05), Red Sox ('04) and Tigers ('06)."
One way or another, the Yankees can get some revenge this October.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at September 13, 2007 10:23 AM
I agree with Andrew. This is starting to sound like last year. I don't think anyone wanted to face the Tigers more than the Twins, but when we got the Tigers, who were reeling and lost the division on the last day of the season, we all thought, "Hey, the Tigers STINK right now and we get to feast on them!" And then we know what happened. Still, though, the Angels -- in the post-season and regular season -- always beat us. We always find a way to lose to them. I don't want to see them in the first round.
I think the best match-up for the Yanks is the Indians, BUT... Carmona has shut this team down in the past, and I can't even remember the last time the Yankees faced Sabathia. I know they have good numbers off of him, but it's been a while since they've even seen him. Both of those pitchers could have a good series and the Yanks could lose. On the other hand, I feel like our pitching can hold down their offense.
Posted by: baileywalk at September 13, 2007 11:18 AM
Hey, let's face it, the days of getting to face the Texas Rangers in the ALDS are over. You have to face SOMEONE. You guys saying that you'd rather see the Angels than the Tribe because of what happened last year with the Tigers? The Angels? Why would you want to have to go 3,000 miles, come back, and then go there again for Game 5? That's a killer. Plus, the Yankees can't beat the Angels, period. To me, this is a no-brainer. You want the Indians.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at September 13, 2007 12:12 PM
I dont think people are saying they would rather play the Angels per se, as much as they are saying they dont want to pick a team at all. Whenever you pick a team you want to win it comes back to bite you in the ass.
As for those two teams, the Angels are a worse team for the playoffs. CC Sabathia is the second best leftie in baseball right now, lefties kill the Yanks AND the Sox, I would rather face Lackey over Sabathia any day. As for hitting the Angels are more annoying because of all the speed but they dont have the power that the Indians have. And lastly beating the Angels would be about 10 times more gratifying then beating the Indians. The Angels are the thorn in the Yankees side.
Its sad but the Yanks would be best off facing the Sox if they could...stupid MLB Rules
Posted by: Kyle at September 13, 2007 12:56 PM
You have to face SOMEONE. You guys saying that you'd rather see the Angels than the Tribe because of what happened last year with the Tigers? The Angels?
----
Um, I did say "Still, though, the Angels -- in the post-season and regular season -- always beat us. We always find a way to lose to them. I don't want to see them in the first round."
Let someone else handle the Angels.
Posted by: baileywalk at September 13, 2007 03:55 PM