 |
 |
 |
|
Breaking down the NL matchups
 |
The decision to start Tim Hudson in Game 1 Tuesday is fascinating because the Twins struggle against left-handed starters and Oakland is going with a right-hander out of the gate. With lefties Mark Mulder (Game 2) and Barry Zito (Game 3) waiting in the wings, this could swing things one of two ways: It could allow the Twins to strike first, or Hudson could put them in a severe hole.
| Key Players | |||
| Minnesota: J.C. Romero | |||
|
You can never underestimate the importance of bullpens in the postseason, and the Twins have one of the most underrated relievers in the game in Romero, who is 9-2 with a 1.91 ERA. | ||
| Oakland: Ray Durham | |||
|
The Athletics took off about the time new leadoff man Durham arrived at the midseason trade deadline. While it's no secret that the A's will go as far as their pitchers will take them this October, Durham is the scrappy tablesetter who ignites the rallies. | ||
The playoff-tested Athletics appear in terrific shape: They're healthy, they've got the best front three starters in the league, shortstop Miguel Tejada and third baseman Eric Chavez have stepped up and taken the leadership role from the departed Jason Giambi, and outfielder Jermaine Dye again is swinging well after a slow start after breaking his left in last fall's playoffs.
As Cinderella stories go, the Twins certainly are the underdogs after surviving both contraction and the possible strike. Their pitching is something of an unknown quantity, only because Brad Radke (groin) and Joe Mays (arm) each missed significant portions of the season with injuries. In theory, they should be fresh for the October run.
The Twins were 3-6 against Oakland during the regular season and sometimes struggled when they played out of the AL Central division: Against the AL East and West combined, the Twins were .500 on the button.
If Minnesota is up to the challenge, the key to this series very well could be the Twins' bullpen. Closer Eddie Guardado broke the club record for saves in a season once held jointly by Jeff Reardon and Rick Aguilera and, collectively, the Twins' bullpen has the third-best bullpen in the league. Plus, in addition to Guardado, Minnesota has two other quality left-handers to pitch the late innings: Johan Santana and J.C. Romero. Rick Reed, who will pitch Game 3, is 9-2 with a 2.68 ERA since the All-Star break.
"I think Minnesota's key is their bullpen," one AL scout said. "If both bullpens are in the game in the sixth inning, I'd give Minnesota the edge. Guardado, Santana and Romero are pretty damn good."
 |
In a twist from their recent dominating seasons, New York has excelled this summer more because of its hitting than its pitching. The Yankees lead the majors in home runs, which means they clearly are capable of bludgeoning opponents this October. Jason Giambi and Alfonso Soriano, the Yanks' two Most Valuable Player candidates, each are capable of changing a game with every at-bat.
| Key Players | |||
| Anaheim: David Eckstein | |||
|
When the Angels win, Mighty Mite leadoff man Eckstein is getting on base and forcing the defense to make plays. Garret Anderson probably is the Angels' Most Valuable Player, but Eckstein is just steps behind him. | ||
| NY Yankees: Derek Jeter | |||
|
It is always Jeter in the postseason, who has an uncanny sixth sense -- as Oakland saw in Game 3 last year when Jeter cut off and relayed a throw to the plate that cut down a non-sliding Jeremy Giambi. "He's just not supposed to be there," one AL scout said recalling the play. "You can't do the kind of stuff he does, but he (always) does it." | ||
On the other hand, the Yanks led the American League in strikeouts -- and no team since the 1989 San Francisco Giants has led its league in whiffs and advanced into the World Series. So the Yanks' challenge is clear.
Then there's this: If pitching and defense wins championships, well, the Yankees rank 13th in the AL in defense. And as good as Roger Clemens is in October, he is 40 and he hasn't been throwing as well as usual lately. Andy Pettitte had a sore elbow earlier in the season and David Wells is a physical breakdown waiting to happen. Still, when you have Jeff Weaver (2.20 ERA since Aug. 1) hanging around in case of an emergency, you're in pretty good shape.
The Yanks have a whopping advantage in playoff experience in this series, though one of the Angels' strengths under Mike Scioscia this summer has been their character. Darin Erstad is a stud who won't back down, Garret Anderson is the quiet assassin and Tim Salmon is a veteran who has come up big this year. Designated hitter Brad Fullmer has been off this year, and he needs to step up. A good sign for the Angels is that he's been swinging much better over the past month.
The Angels must have Jarrod Washburn pitch well in Game 1 in Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, and shortstop/leadoff man David Eckstein must be at the top of his game, too. Then, Anaheim's bullpen -- which statistically was the best in the league this year despite no-names such as Scot Shields, Brendan Donnelly, Al Levine and Ben Weber (before closer Troy Percival) -- must rise to the postseason occasion. If those three things things happen, there's a good chance the Angels will be much more competition than the Yankees want.
