Monday, September 28, 2009

Why the Yankees and Angels Will Meet in the ALCS

By Bart Grossman

I look forward to a potential American League Championship Series face-off with the Angels in the same way I look forward to turning 40 and having my wife inform me I need a wholly-invasive prostate exam.

To make clear, I dread the future more so than Chris Russo.

The Yankees defeated the Angels at their own game on Monday in the Bronx, producing the go-ahead run thanks to the infinitely valuable Brett Gardner and a helping hand from Chone Figgins, who was more edgy at 3rd than Tom Brady in the pocket vs. the Bills.

The final tally read 5-3, allowing New York to grow its lead over the Angels of CA to six games in the race for home field advantage in the playoffs. It was a key victory for the Yankees, although the context of the battle was possibly even more prominent.

A playoff meeting between these 2 franchises would be a bloodbath.

I recognize, there's that whole question of the division series to be settled. The Yankees will need to survive Detroit and LA and must figure out a way to beat the Red Sox, a franchise that consistently appears to bury them. However in a year where the Yankees have earned the designated title as "The Franchise To Beat", it's not possible to not speculate about the Angels in the long term.

The Halos roster is loaded with players that scare me. Figgins, Torii Hunter, Kendry Morales, and yes, Bobby Abreu, form the heart of a talented lineup that mirrors the strength of the Yankees' roster.

Predict a series between these 2 teams to go to seven games or six at worst. Expect a series where a 3-run margin of victory is considered a thrashing.

What I'm trying to say is, predict a series where you'll need to drink lots of fluids...and I do not mean water.

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