Yankees can't fight to save their season

I would be mad about the Texas Rangers bouncing the New York Yankees right out of the playoffs, but the truth of the matter is the Yankees were never really in it.

It turns out the well-pitched, well-played games against the Minnesota Twins were just an illusion. In the American League Championship Series, the Yankees played more like the team they looked like in September. Perhaps that's the team they really are rather than the world beaters they looked like against the Twinkies. In the ALCS, they got outpitched, outhit and really out managed.

Game 6 was a clear example of how the Rangers played better than the Yankees in every way possible. Phil Hughes struggled right from the start, not that it really mattered. He held the Rangers to one run through the first four innings before imploding, but had to watch helplessly as the offense acted like Cliff Lee was on the mound instead of Colby Lewis. And when Joe Girardi pulled Hughes with the game on the line, the bullpen call went to David Robertson instead of Kerry Wood or Mariano Rivera. I know it was only the fifth inning, but that was the season right there and Girardi made the wrong call.

The Rangers earned the right to represent the American League in the World Series by playing like superstars. The Yankees couldn't put up a fight to save their season and that's why they are going home.

Thanks to Red3biggs via Wikipedia for the Colby Lewis photo.

Yankees comeback KOs Rangers

The New York Yankees dealt a crushing blow to the Texas Rangers, pummeling their bullpen en route to a miracle comeback that put the Bronx Bombers up 1-0 in the American League Championship Series.

The Yankees looked lifeless during the first seven innings, the only bright spot being Robinson Cano's foul-pole hugger blast to put the team on the scoreboard. But the Yankees survived a bad outing by their ace CC Sabathia in a comeback instigated by the pure hustle of the feisty Brett Gardner and helped by the wildness of the Ranger relievers. I bet that's not what Nolan Ryan, new owner of the Rangers, had in mind after their thrilling defeat against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The importance of Game 1 can not be overstated for the Yankees. They needed to win a game started by their big guy because the back of their rotation (AJ Burnett) can't be trusted. Now with the momentum from a thrilling comeback, they give the ball next to Phil Hughes, whose poise belied his age in Game 3 of the division series against the Minnesota Twins.

If the Yankees can win behind young Mr. Hughes, you have to love their chances with Mr. Postseason himself Andy Pettitte on the mound, even facing Cliff Lee. For the Yankees, that would be the best scenario in their quest for another world championship title.

Hughes, Yanks step over Twins on way to title

The Minnesota Twins never had a chance, playing the role of doormat to the New York Yankees to perfection.

I cautioned against underestimating the Twinkies heading into the American League Division Series, but it turns out there was no need to worry because the Twins were never really in this series. Just like they were never in the game tonight with the Yankees quickly staking Phil Hughes to a 4-0 lead. As dominant as the youngster was in his first postseason start, that lead was insurmountable.

The Twins are a good team, but the Yankees are clearly in their heads. Minnesota was never able to overcome that sense of impending doom that started Wednesday night when they could not keep the Yankees from scoring late, could not protect the 3-run lead they got off of Yankee ace CC Sabathia. The Yankees made their comeback, brought in the hammer with Mariano Rivera and the Twins were done.

So on to the next step. We don't know who the Yankees will face in the next round of the playoffs yet. But whether it's the Tampa Bay Rays or the Texas Rangers, I imagine they'll put up a much better fight than the Twins did.

Time for Hughes to put Twins out of misery

The New York Yankees will send Phil Hughes to the mound tonight to finish off the Minnesota Twins. I'm hoping he does it by midnight because I have a very early flight to catch tomorrow.

Joe Girardi feels more comfortable giving the ball in Game 3 of the American League Division Series to a 24-year-old kid than to some veterans that were supposed to be in the rotation ahead of him because Hughes stepped up this year to give his manager exactly what he needed: a reliable second starter after ace CC Sabathia. He needs to step up for his manager and his team again tonight.

Hughes hasn't pitched in 10 days, except for that one inning that earned him his 18th win and the good-natured mockery of his teammates. But he looked strong against a tough Boston Red Sox team, the way he's looked good in his last few starts, so I expect him to shake off any rust fairly quickly and pitch well.

I also expect to see a composed, relaxed Hughes on the mound. One of the few negative memories from last year's baseball playoffs was seeing the agitated youngster walk off the mound with angry words for the umpire. Given his maturity over the last year, we won't see a repeat of that tirade.

So what will we see? I think the New York Yankees will get a very strong performance out of their kid. Even if he gives up a few runs, it probably won't make a difference because the Yankees offense is usually inspired to score multiple runs for him. Expect Hughes and the Yankees to quickly put the Twins out of their misery.

Mariano Rivera back in fine October form

It turns out there was no need to worry about Mariano Rivera once the calendar page turned to October. This is his month and he is pitching like it.

Joe Girardi had his ace in the bullpen and used him perfectly. When Kerry Wood got into some trouble Wednesday night, Girardi brought in Mo to douse the rally with the tying runs in scoring position. Mo was his typical brilliant self, promptly inducing a weak grounder to end the threat. He gave up a faux single in the 9th inning of that game and sent at least four bats to the wood morgue. He gave up a solid hit last night, but that was all the Twins could muster against the great Rivera.

Mo had a rough September, blowing three saves and looking hittable. It was quite shocking for New York Yankees fans used to seeing him dominate the competition, particularly late in the year. But Mo made a mechanical tweak, worked out whatever issue was bothering him and found his comfort zone, which is really bad news for the rest of baseball.

In October, there is no pitcher that opposing managers worry about more than Mo. They know that if the Yankees go into the 8th or 9th inning with a lead, the game is practically over. In their heads, they might even start planning the lineup for the next game. But if Ron Gardenhire and the Twins don't keep Mo out of Game 3, there won't be a next game for them.

The Mr. October nickname has been reserved for Reggie Jackson, but I wonder if the slugger wouldn't mind sharing it with the great Mariano, who Jackson himself has said is one of the greatest Yankees of all time. Without a doubt, Mariano is the Mr. October of pitchers.

Andy Pettitte puts Twinkies on the brink

Just the other day, CC Sabathia was mystified about why people were worried about Andy Pettitte. Last night, Pettitte showed why CC couldn't have been more right.

Taking the mound last night for the New York Yankees, Pettitte added to his postseason legend with a strong performance that put the Minnesota Twins on the brink of elimination. He dispelled any concerns about his injuries or age and showed why he is the winningest pitcher in postseason history.

The Twins had a chance to get Pettitte early when he was struggling with his command as they put the leadoff hitter on in the first two innings and loaded the bases with one out in the 2nd inning. But Andy did what he always does when he's in trouble, inducing a customary groundball double-play in the 1st inning (with a fantastic defensive assist from Derek Jeter), making big pitches to escape the jam in the 2nd inning and dominating the Twins the rest of his game.

"One run is not going to kill me," Pettitte said of his composure in getting out of that jam.

But it sure killed the Twins. You could see the defeat on the faces of the players and their fans long before the game was over. Pettitte did that to the Twins, the way he has done it to so many other teams in the postseason, and he showed the rest of baseball what the Yankees have in store for them if they advance in the playoffs.

CC stepped up to the mike the other day to defend his "godfather," citing Pettitte's postseason excellence as a reason not to worry about the Yankee starters that would come after him. He has a lot of company in the Andy Pettitte confidence camp.

"That's just typical Andy," Lance Berkman said. "He was in control pretty much the whole night. He's the best big-game pitcher I think I've ever been around."

Typical Andy, indeed!

Mo, 'mates pick up CC Sabathia in Game 1

Usually, CC Sabathia is the one carrying the New York Yankees on his large back. Last night, his teammates picked him up.

Sabathia did not pitch great in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, but managed to keep his team in the baseball game for six innings on a night when he clearly didn't have his best stuff. You know CC had a rough night when Joe Girardi, who usually manages to find something positive in all his starters' outings (witness his post-game comments about AJ Burnett and Javier Vazquez this year), started responding to a question about Sabathia by saying "I didn't think CC was bad."

But it didn't matter last night because the Yankees found a way to overcome the early deficit, the way they seem to always do against the Minnesota Twins. Francisco Liriano stifled the offense for the first five innings, but lost it in the 6th inning, giving up a triple to a resurgent Curtis Granderson. The game-winning blast came off the bat of the banged-up Mark Teixeira in the next inning.

It all ended with Mariano Rivera, of course, because most Yankee victories end with Mo. Put aside any concern about his rough September because yesterday was classic Mo. He came in with two outs and the tying runs on base in the 8th inning and promptly induced a ground ball so weak that it barely made it to short for Derek Jeter to throw out the runner. He then followed up with what should have been a 1-2-3 9th inning were it not for another blown call by the umpires (and Greg Golson validating Girardi’s faith in him and his defensive skills with a terrific catch), but it didn’t matter as the great Mo quickly induced a weak pop up from the dangerous Jim Thome.

So on a night when CC Sabathia wasn't as dominant as he usually is, his Yankee teammates put the big guy on their backs and carried him across the finish line.

CC Sabathia always has his team's back

CC Sabathia always has his teammates' backs, on the mound and in the media room.

Baseball pundits and writers have been busy predicting big trouble for the New York Yankees if Sabathia doesn't win Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Minnesota Twins tonight. Their argument is centered on the fact that Andy Pettitte hasn't shown that he is fully recovered from his injuries and that Phil Hughes has never started a postseason game in his young life.

To all that, Sabathia basically said hogwash. The big guy was mystified by a question about whether this supposed uncertainty about the rest of the Yankees starting rotation put more pressure on him.

"I don't see what you guys are saying about uncertainty," he replied firmly, but politely. "Andy Pettitte is the best pitcher in the playoffs in the history of baseball. I think our rotation stacks up pretty good against anybody."

The thing that I loved most about CC's response is that he refused to even accept the premise of the question. He seemed genuinely puzzled by the notion that his teammates were something less than him, that they couldn’t match his performance and that the Yankees’ championship hopes rest on his shoulders. With CC, you know it's not an act because he doesn't have a fake bone in his ultra-large body. He genuinely believes in his teammates and has confidence in their ability to step up and help him win another World Series championship.

His teammates often talk about what a good guy he is and how much they love sharing a clubhouse with him. I have no doubt that love grew by leaps and bounds when they heard that answer. Whether it's CC hitting opposing batters just to send a message that hitting his guys is unacceptable or stepping up to the microphone to defend his guys, Sabathia always has his teammates' backs and he'll have their backs again on the mound tonight.

Do not underestimate Minnesota Twins

Given the way the New York Yankees stumbled to the regular season finish line, they may be happy to be facing the Minnesota Twins in the first round, a team they have owned for years and swept out of the playoffs in 2009. But no one should underestimate the Twins.

Essentially, the Yankees traded home-field advantage in the playoffs for avoiding facing Cliff Lee twice in a five-game series. Some pundits and fans might believe that’s actually a good thing, facing the Twins in the American League division series instead of the Texas Rangers. But anyone expecting the Twins to be patsies for the Yankees is mistaken.

The Twinkies survived injuries that would have killed other teams (see Boston Red Sox, New York Mets), namely losing their closer Joe Nathan before the season even started. Do you think the Yankees could survive losing Mariano Rivera, even with his rough outings of late? Not a chance. And the Twins have been without Justin Morneau the entire second half. That would be like the Yankees losing their MVP candidate Robinson Cano and the Bronx Bombers have had enough trouble living up to their nickname recently.

I know we Yankee fans don't think much of Carl Pavano but he has pitched very well since leaving the Yankees and has miraculously stayed healthy. With him and Francisco Liriano at the top of the rotation, the Twins won't be pushovers. But I think CC Sabathia and a healthy Andy Pettitte are much better than both of them so it’s entirely possible that this series could be over very quickly.

That's not to say I feel overconfident about the Yankees chances. I think they are the better team, but I wouldn’t count the Twins out. I hope the Yankees and their fans don't either.

Thanks to Chamber of Fear and UCinternational via Wikipedia for the photo.