PLAYOFFS: New York vs. Minnesota

written by Buddy Lung

There's no getting around that Johan Santana is the best picture in the American League right now, and new york is about to face him TWICE. That's not even taking into account Radke who hasn't exactly been the pits this year. The Twins are also one of the flashiest defensive teams in the leagues and are almost unbeatable at the MetroDome.

Now having said that, let's also realize that New York is very much in control of this series. It's a bet that the Yankees can't lose to Minnesota, that they can only beat themselves. The key is not going to be pitching as is so much advertised (especially noting the Yankees alleged atrocious starting rotation). Let's face it, pound for pound, the Yankees have a BETTER starting rotation than Minnesota. True, maybe some of them haven't exactly had career years, but I'll take Kevin Brown, Mike Mussina, El Duque, Javier Vasquez, and heck pre surgery 20-game winner (Cubs 2001) Jon Lieber over just Johan Santana. You'd be foolish to say the starting staff, inconsistent as it could be, is not by any means BAD. You could have Mussina throwing beach balls... or you could get the real Mike Mussina, the Mussina who is one of the best pitchers of the last twenty years. And even if Mussina isn't going to do it, someone is... Let's face it, Minnesota doesn't have what it takes to eat up the entire Yanks' pitching staff. The truth is we will probably see relatively low scoring games.

Which is where the real key comes into play: SELECTIVITY in the Yankees lineup. Even against Santana, the Yankees are basically your bullpen's worst nightmare. The Yankees can find a way to win. The game could go 8 hitless innings, and one change of pitcher in the 9th inning and you're talking a 4-run rally to win the game. The key is going to be selective offense. The quicker the Yankees get Santana out of the game, the quicker the Yankees can make jumps after the opposing pitching.

We know about the pitching, what it comes down to is the offense. With seasoned postseason vets like Jeter, Bernie, Rivera, Lofton, Sheffield, ARod and let's not forget the secret offensive weapon of Hideki Matsui, the offense has been waiting for October all year. And despite Minnesota's havign Santana and a pretty much flawless closer in Nathan, this Yanks lineup need fear no one and New York's already shown Nathan isn't so unhittable as far as the Yankees are concerned.

What it comes down to is, with Santana or not, all the Yankees need is mid level pitching performances from their staff to keep the games reachable. After that, it comes down to how on the Yankees offense will be. And if Minnesota is going to have to go toe-to-toe with the Yankees offense, they better bring their golf clubs, because it'd be a short series for Minnesota. You'll see as much the first game coming up, Minnesota is in a must-win situation when Santana is in the mound. And even their MetroDome advantage hasn't applied against the Yanks in other postseason play. The Yankees are in control of this one.

YANKS IN 5.