My last preview for the day pits the team of my region against the team of my heart.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will play the New York Yankees of the Bronx. Given the Yanks' relative lack of success against the Halos this year, it's not really an opportunity I relish. But, as a buddy put it, this is New York's chance to avenge the 2002 Division Series, which Anaheim won 3-1. Will the Yankees' lack of home-field hurt them this time around? Well, having it three years ago wasn't enough to spur them to victory. Whether I'm right or wrong about the series outcome, I'll be there tonight to see for myself.
The outcome of the series will be based on execution, not some formula for scoring runs.
The Yankees will want to keep speedy Angels like Chone Figgins and Maicer Izturis off the bases, but power hitting will be significant, since this is unlikely to be an extremely low-scoring series. The Angels, for their part, will want to limit the bases on balls they issue, because sluggers like 3B Alex Rodriguez and especially RF Gary Sheffield love coming up with runners on base, and number three hitter Jason Giambi led the league in on-base percentage. If New York can establish a trend of power and patience, they will be well served particularly if LF Hideki Matsui stays in his groove. The Angels will help their cause by running up pitch counts and turning pesky at-bats into hits in front of Vladimir Guerrero and Garret Anderson. To me, however, the Angels will look to a less likely source of offense to get them over the top: C Bengie Molina has had a fine offensive year, particularly at his position. Furthermore, 3B Robb Quinlan is a dark horse candidate to receive some praise.
Edge: Slight, to Yankees
Does good pitching really beat good hitting most of the time? Here's a litmus test.
As the saying goes, if you can make it in the Big Apple, you can make it anywhere. The same might be said about pitching to men in pinstripes, particularly in Yankee Stadium (Robinson Cano's amazing road hitting excepted). The Southern Californians, however, have two quality starters to begin the series in Bartolo Colon and John Lackey, then are expected to use the surprising Paul Byrd and 2002 vet Jarrod Washburn. If Colon can forget his awful outing against the Yankees in April, he can give his team a chance to win in Game 1. The Yankees, meanwhile, likely begin the series with Mike Mussina and sinkerballer Chien-Ming Wang, with a streaking Randy Johnson held until Game 3 in the house that Ruth built and resurrected Shawn Chacon to follow. Mussina looked dazzling two starts ago against Baltimore, then very flat in his last appearance against the very same Orioles.
Edge: Push
Who can you trust in this day and age?
I'm speaking about the relief corps of each team, both of which have tough eighth and ninth-inning men, but far less solid options beforehand. I've seen the Yankees seventh-inning men blow a three-run lead late in the game to Anaheim, and watched as even quality Angel relievers gave away a game in the Empire State. It seems as though Francisco Rodriguez is over his slump, and Scot Shields should continue to get the call with a lead in the eighth. Meanwhile, Yankee Tom Gordon has been riding a hot streak, and Mariano Rivera is making us doubt his age with his continued excellence finishing ballgames. At the same time, Brendan Donnelly has been a puzzle for the Angels, who would love one more effective arm as a complement. Tanyon Sturtze was a horse for New York in the first half, but Joe Torre may not know what he can get from him. Aaron Small should fill a need as a converted starter for the Bombers, and Ervin Santana could be a great bridge should the Angels choose not to use him in his conventional role.
Edge: Slight, to Yankees
With bona fide mashers on both sides, preventing hits will be at a premium.
The Angels committed the second fewest errors in the majors (88), while the Yankees were tagged with 95. If the Yankees play Bubba Crosby in the outfield, it will be to their advantage defensively in comparison with aging legend Bernie Williams. It also appears that Sheffield is healthy: he made two sliding catches on Saturday after battling a nagging hamstring ailment. Both he and Guerrero have plus arms, which might make for some interesting drama at home plate. In the infield, the Angels have gotten a fine defensive season from SS Orlando Cabrera just as New York has enjoyed Alex Rodriguez' glovework at the hot corner. Angel 1B Darin Erstd would get the nod over Giambi, but it seems as if the Yankee defense has been overly criticized.
Edge: Slight, to Angels
When it's late and close, what options do the managers have?
Anaheim is helped by its depth, with guys like Casey Kotchman available for power when they're not playing regularly. Izturis or Zach Sorensen can pinch run, just as Tony Womack may for their opponents. The Yankees may look to Ruben Sierra or Tino Martinez as a bat off the bench and defensive presence, respectively, but Sierra has not earned his keep of late. Jeff DaVanon and backup backstop Jose Molina may also be called upon to swing the bat.
Edge: Push
Verdict: Yankees, in 5
baseball
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will play the New York Yankees of the Bronx. Given the Yanks' relative lack of success against the Halos this year, it's not really an opportunity I relish. But, as a buddy put it, this is New York's chance to avenge the 2002 Division Series, which Anaheim won 3-1. Will the Yankees' lack of home-field hurt them this time around? Well, having it three years ago wasn't enough to spur them to victory. Whether I'm right or wrong about the series outcome, I'll be there tonight to see for myself.
The outcome of the series will be based on execution, not some formula for scoring runs.
The Yankees will want to keep speedy Angels like Chone Figgins and Maicer Izturis off the bases, but power hitting will be significant, since this is unlikely to be an extremely low-scoring series. The Angels, for their part, will want to limit the bases on balls they issue, because sluggers like 3B Alex Rodriguez and especially RF Gary Sheffield love coming up with runners on base, and number three hitter Jason Giambi led the league in on-base percentage. If New York can establish a trend of power and patience, they will be well served particularly if LF Hideki Matsui stays in his groove. The Angels will help their cause by running up pitch counts and turning pesky at-bats into hits in front of Vladimir Guerrero and Garret Anderson. To me, however, the Angels will look to a less likely source of offense to get them over the top: C Bengie Molina has had a fine offensive year, particularly at his position. Furthermore, 3B Robb Quinlan is a dark horse candidate to receive some praise.
Edge: Slight, to Yankees
Does good pitching really beat good hitting most of the time? Here's a litmus test.
As the saying goes, if you can make it in the Big Apple, you can make it anywhere. The same might be said about pitching to men in pinstripes, particularly in Yankee Stadium (Robinson Cano's amazing road hitting excepted). The Southern Californians, however, have two quality starters to begin the series in Bartolo Colon and John Lackey, then are expected to use the surprising Paul Byrd and 2002 vet Jarrod Washburn. If Colon can forget his awful outing against the Yankees in April, he can give his team a chance to win in Game 1. The Yankees, meanwhile, likely begin the series with Mike Mussina and sinkerballer Chien-Ming Wang, with a streaking Randy Johnson held until Game 3 in the house that Ruth built and resurrected Shawn Chacon to follow. Mussina looked dazzling two starts ago against Baltimore, then very flat in his last appearance against the very same Orioles.
Edge: Push
Who can you trust in this day and age?
I'm speaking about the relief corps of each team, both of which have tough eighth and ninth-inning men, but far less solid options beforehand. I've seen the Yankees seventh-inning men blow a three-run lead late in the game to Anaheim, and watched as even quality Angel relievers gave away a game in the Empire State. It seems as though Francisco Rodriguez is over his slump, and Scot Shields should continue to get the call with a lead in the eighth. Meanwhile, Yankee Tom Gordon has been riding a hot streak, and Mariano Rivera is making us doubt his age with his continued excellence finishing ballgames. At the same time, Brendan Donnelly has been a puzzle for the Angels, who would love one more effective arm as a complement. Tanyon Sturtze was a horse for New York in the first half, but Joe Torre may not know what he can get from him. Aaron Small should fill a need as a converted starter for the Bombers, and Ervin Santana could be a great bridge should the Angels choose not to use him in his conventional role.
Edge: Slight, to Yankees
With bona fide mashers on both sides, preventing hits will be at a premium.
The Angels committed the second fewest errors in the majors (88), while the Yankees were tagged with 95. If the Yankees play Bubba Crosby in the outfield, it will be to their advantage defensively in comparison with aging legend Bernie Williams. It also appears that Sheffield is healthy: he made two sliding catches on Saturday after battling a nagging hamstring ailment. Both he and Guerrero have plus arms, which might make for some interesting drama at home plate. In the infield, the Angels have gotten a fine defensive season from SS Orlando Cabrera just as New York has enjoyed Alex Rodriguez' glovework at the hot corner. Angel 1B Darin Erstd would get the nod over Giambi, but it seems as if the Yankee defense has been overly criticized.
Edge: Slight, to Angels
When it's late and close, what options do the managers have?
Anaheim is helped by its depth, with guys like Casey Kotchman available for power when they're not playing regularly. Izturis or Zach Sorensen can pinch run, just as Tony Womack may for their opponents. The Yankees may look to Ruben Sierra or Tino Martinez as a bat off the bench and defensive presence, respectively, but Sierra has not earned his keep of late. Jeff DaVanon and backup backstop Jose Molina may also be called upon to swing the bat.
Edge: Push
Verdict: Yankees, in 5
baseball
posted by Alex at 2:58 PM
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