We're Bacccck

The New York Yankees defeated the Angels 5-2 last night, to win the American League Championship Series, and move on to their 40th world series. The Yankees have won the World Series 26 of the 39 previous times they have been in it.

I haven't posted about this series yet due to a massive amount of schoolwork, but what a series this was.

The Yankees ace, C.C. Sabathia was the MVP of the series. I thought that he and Alex Rodriguez should have been C0 MVP's. What an unbelievable series for the two of them.

C.C. went eight innings in game one and game four on just three days rest. He gave up one run in each of those starts.

A-Rod has been batting 400. plus throughout the postseason, hitting big home run after big home run. In game six last night, he got on base all five times he was up, getting two hits and being walked twice. A-Rod has also played well defensively in the playoffs.

What can be said about Andy Pettitte. He has always been a big game pitcher for the Yankees, and he proved that again last night. Pettitte went six plus innings giving up one run.

Mariano Rivera came in during the eighth inning for the six out save, and he did the norm. He succeeded.

As the Yankees head back to the world series, the city of New York awaits Wednesday night, where Jay Z is scheduled to perform "Empire State of Mind" before first pitch.

I'll tell you one thing, the Bronx will be rocking.

Recap of Game Three/ALDS

The Yankees entered game three of the ALDS in a wonderful position. They lead 2-0 going into the clinching game with season veteran Andy Pettitte on the hill. Not only was that the case, they were facing former Yankee Carl Pavano, a pitcher who made 39.4 million dollars with the Yankees over the course of four seasons and made just 26 starts.

The Yanks came in ready to hit Pavano hard and win the series. This wasn't the case. Pavano looked like Greg Maddux in the 96' World Series just sitting Yankees down left and right.

Pettitte matched him pitch for pitch as neither team was getting swings through the first six innings. The Twins finally broke through for a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Trailing 1-0 in the top of the seventh, with dominant Pavano still on the mound, Alex Rodriguez stepped up to the plate.

A-Rod took a 3-2 pitch the opposite way and out of the park. He did it again. More game tying heroics for Alex, highlighting the unbelievable series he had. He finished the series 5-11 with six RBI's and two home runs. Later that inning, Jorge Posada hit an opposite field home run to give the Yankees the lead. They never looked back. After adding insurance runs in the eighth, the Yankees finished with a 4-1 win.

Some may say the Twins are not a great team, and the Yankee's sweep was expected, but you cannot look at it this way. They hadn't gotten past the ALDS since 2004. A-Rod hadn't had post season success since before he was a Yankee. The Yankee bullpen is looking like it was in the late 90's, and their three man rotation looks like they can take the Yankees all the way. Impressive ALDS all around, can't wait for the Angels on Friday. What a match up it will be.

Magic in the Bronx

Game two of the ALDS was one of the most storied games I have ever seen. The Yankees willed their way over the Twins 4-3 in the bottom of the 11th inning walking off for the 16th time this season.

A.J. Burnett stepped up and gave the Yankees a solid six innings, despite getting trouble a few times, he only gave up one run.

Mark Teixeira got the game winning hit but the heroes of this game were Alex Rodriguez and Dave Robertson.

We all know what A-Rod was in the playoffs before this season. We all have heard it a million times. A-Rod cannot hit in the clutch. It has been documented ever since he has been a Yankee.

Everything this season with A-Rod has just been different. Ever since his steroid admission and hip surgery he has seemed like a different person. This isn't the first regular season where A-Rod has gotten clutch hits, but it is the first time he has done it staying out of the spotlight. He kept to himself and did what he had to do.

Alex's first two playoff games: 4-8 with five RBI'S and one HR. His home run tied the game in the ninth inning last night, his RBI single tied the game in the sixth inning last night, and his two RBI's in game one gave some much needed security to the Yankees lead.

We'll see how he does throughout the rest of the postseason, but so far he has been simply dominant in the 2009 playoffs.

Who knows if Alex would have had the opportunity to tie the game last night if it wasn't for Dave Robertson. He came in the top of the 11th inning with two on, nobody out, and after giving up a hit the bases were loaded with no one out. He then recorded three straight outs to keep the Yankees in the game. What a job by him.

Once the game reached the bottom of the 11th and the heart of the Yankee order was due up, it was only a matter of time before a slice of Burnett Pie would be served. Mark Teixeira lined a bullet off the top of the left field wall, and that was that.

Yankees win again, and can clinch Sunday night against Carl Pavano.

Breaking Down Game One

The Yankees defeated the Twins 7-2 last night, overcoming a 2-0 deficit in the 3rd inning. C.C. Sabathia went six and two-third innings to get the win.

There were a few story lines in the defeat. Derek Jeter proved once again to be Mr. Clutch drilling a two run homer into the left field seats in the third inning to tie the score. Nick Swisher hit an RBI double down the right field line to put the Yankees ahead in the fifth. Alex Rodriguez had two RBI hits breaking out of his major slump batting with runners in scoring position in the playoffs.

This was good for Alex to get some weight off his back. Even if his playoff numbers were not running through his mind, he still will not have to listen to the questions about his playoff struggles at least for now.

Hideki Matsui hit a 2 run blast to center field last night. All Matsui has done this year is prove his case for the Yankees to keep him next year, but who knows what will happen with that.

C.C. Sabathia broke out of his playoff struggles as well putting in a great performance, especially if you take away Posada's two past balls. He really has proved himself to be the ace of this pitching staff all season, and he continued that into last night's huge game.

With a 1-0 lead in the series, the Yanks take the field again Friday night with A.J. Burnett on the mound. Hopefully A.J. brings his lights out stuff to the mound. He has the ability to throw a perfect game on any night with his dirty breaking ball. We'll see which A.J. shows up as the Bombers look to go up 2-0 heading into the Metrodome.

HotBox Sports

Just a heads up. Beginning in about two weeks, I will be writing for an NBA Fantasy website called HotBox Sports. The link to this website is www.hotboxsports.com.

I will be discussing individual player matchups twice a week for the Indiana Pacers. I am excited for this role as the Pacers are a young exciting team, with some new and upcoming talent. They are lead by superstar Danny Granger, and are looking to have themselves a better year than last year.