It's Playoff Time

After a horrible September that showed pretty much every single weakness the Yanks have (poor starting pitching, inability to get runners in from 3rd with less than 2 out, catn't stop base stealers etc. etc. etc.). But, as they say, it's a clean slate.

Here's the pitching matchups for Series via LoHud Yankees Blog

GAME 1
Tonight, Target Field
LHP CC Sabathia (21-7, 3.18)
vs.
LHP Francisco Liriano (14-10, 3.62)
8:37 p.m., TBS

GAME 2
Thursday, Target Field
LHP Andy Pettitte (11-3, 3.28)
vs.
RHP Carl Pavano (17-11, 3.75)
6:07 p.m., TBS

GAME 3

Saturday, Yankee Stadium
RHP Phil Hughes (18-8, 4.19)
vs.
LHP Brian Duensing (10-3, 2.62)
8:37 p.m., TBS

GAME 4

Sunday, Yankee Stadium
LHP CC Sabathia (21-7, 3.18)
vs.
RHP Nick Blackburn (10-12, 5.42)
8:07 p.m., TBS

GAME 5

Tuesday, Target Field
LHP Andy Pettitte (11-3, 3.28)
vs.
LHP Francisco Liriano (14-10, 3.62)
8:07 or 8:37 p.m., TBS

We'll get up a lineup post before the game.

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Game 45: Yankees at Twins

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS

Brett Gardner CF
Mark Teixeira DH
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Juan Miranda 1B
Francisco Cervelli C
Kevin Russo LF

RHP A.J. Burnett

Twins

TBA

RHB Scott Baker

On Target: This is the Yankees first look at the brand new Target Field in Minnesota. It's 88 degrees and sunny in Minneapolis, so they won't miss the Metrodome tonight.

Finally an off-day: Yesterday, the Yankees got their first scheduled off day since May 7 (there was a rain-induced day off on May 11). Hopefully this day-off helps some people who are struggling, like A-Rob and Teixeira. Francisco Cervelli had also caught 7 consecutive days, so his legs got a little bit of a break.

Injury Report: Marcus Thames is available to play, he just is not playing today against the righty Baker. Alfredo Aceves was throwing on flat ground in Tampa, and his back tightened up, so his status is uncertain for now. Javier Vazquez threw a bullpen session today after getting hit on the index finger bunting on Friday night. Curtis Granderson has started his rehab assignment, and he should return to the team in Cleveland this weekend.

We Hardly Knew You: This series is the last of the Twinkies the Yankees will see this year in the regular season. Just another oddity of the MLB scheduling system.

Super Jersey: The NFL awarded the New Meadowland Stadium the Super Bowl in 2014. Now, being born in New Jersey and living here for 16 of the 19 years of my life, I don't like this whole "New York/New Jersey" bid thing. The game's in NJ, not NY. I also don't like how they're called the New York Giants and Jets. If we're paying tax dollars to build stadiums, at least name the teams after the state they actually play in. And I'll bet $10 that they do the cliche thing and have Bon Jovi do the halftime show.

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Move Along: Yanks sweep Twins on way to ALCS

Yankees 4 7 0
Twins 1 7 0

WP: Pettitte
LP: Pavano
S: Rivera

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Tough choice, but considering everything that's happened, I'll give it to Alex Rodriguez. He's finally shed his post-season choke artist stigma with 2 big home runs in back to back games.

PLAY OF THE GAME: HIP HIP Jorge Posada's go-ahead home run in the 7th inning, that just cleared the left-field wall.

TURNING POINT OF THE GAME: A-Rod's game-tying home run in the 7th inning. It was vintage A-Rod, going to right center for the bomb.

GAME NOTES:

• This win moves the Yankees into their 13th ALCS and their first since 2004 (known to me as "The Year that never happened").
  
• After the Angels completed their sweep of the Red Sox today, they will face the Yankees beginning on Friday.
  
• With four days between games, the Yankees will obviously look to stay sharp with batting practice and other workouts.
  
• With the long layoff, the rotation will also need to be set up. Pettitte would be in line to pitch Game 1 at the Stadium, possibly followed by Burnett in Game 2 and Sabathia in Game 3. I'm sure Girardi will have the rotation set by Tuesday or Wednesday.
  
• That was the final game at the Metrodome before they move into Target Field next season, and a fan decided that the bottom of the 9th would be the best time to run across the field one final time. Why anyone would think that's a good idea is beyond me, since the players have a right to defend themselves against a threat, which running on the field like that is. And 99.99999% of people who go to baseball games would get the living $^!% out of them.
• We'll be sure to pass along any news during the week. So stay tuned.
  

NEXT GAME:
Friday vs. the Angels
ALCS Game 1

SEE YA!

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