ALCS Predictions

The Yankees have had a long lay off.  Five days to be exact.  The Rangers are coming off a rollercoaster five game series with the Tampa Bay Rays that finished up on Monday night.  The Yankees are the heavy favorites in this series but the Rangers are not going to give up easily to the Almighty Pinstripes.  Cliff Lee, the Rangers' ace, is 6-0 with a 1.44 era in the postseason.  Unfortunately for Texas, having to use Lee in Game 5 against the Rays, costs them an extra start for Lee in this series.  Lee will have to wait until Game 3 where he will go up against Andy Pettitte, in what should be a great left handed pitching duel in the Bronx.  The key to any series is capturing momentum in Game 1.  From the Yanks standpoint, you have to like your chances in winning the series opener behind CC Sabathia.  His opponent, CJ Wilson, has had a great season for the Rangers, but he tends to walk too many batters.  The patient Yankees lineup will wait him out and make him throw strikes.  New York has two main advantages in this series.  Mariano Rivera at the end of the game.  And they have been they're before.  Derek Jeter alone, has started 141 career playoff games.  The Texas Rangers as a franchise have only played in fifteen.  It will be the first time the Yankees advance to the World Series as a wild card.  I like the Yankees in six.  I'll have my predictions on the National League Championship Series later on tonight.