ALCS Breakdown: Benches & Bullpens

Yankee Bench:

Should be more of the same of what we saw in the division series, which wasn't much.  Whoever isn't in the lineup from the Marcus Thames-Lance Berkman DH platoon looms as a big late-game situational pinch hitter possibility, and that's really the extent of the major contributors.  Ramiro Pena is only there for injury insurance and Greg Golson will be the token "late-game RF defensive replacement/ pinch runner" guy and neither should see an at-bat if all goes to planned.  The one guy who could see some more time is Francisco Cervelli.  He caught A.J. today in his simulated game session and since we already know A.J. is getting a start, that gives Cervelli a chance to be in the lineup when he pitches.  If that happens, expect Jorge to DH that game and both Thames and Berkman will be on the bench to pinch hit for Cervelli late.  If Austin Kearns makes the cut for this round I would be shocked. 

Texas Bench:

This crew is a little deeper and a little more talented than the Yankee bench if you do a side-by-side comparison, and also received more playing time in the division series.  Ron Washington tinkered with his lineup almost every game and as a result 13 of the 15 position players on the ALDS roster got at least one at-bat.  Murphy, Borbon, and Francoeur are a 3-man platoon in left field with none being definitively better than the other.  Jorge Cantu could step in at first base for Mitch Moreland if Moreland struggles as he has far more experience and some past success as an everyday player, and Matt Treanor is a capable backup catcher.  The Rangers would be insane to only carry 10 pitchers for this series, so expect to see Andres Blanco or Esteban German or both off the roster for the ALCS.

Yankee Bullpen:

The pecking order has been clearly established after the ALDS.  Mo is at the top of the food chain with Kerry Wood slotted into the 8th-inning role, D-Rob and Boone Logan acting as the 6th- and 7th-inning bridges, and Joba being the next in line depending on situation and who is being rested.  Mitre will still be the main long man and Dustin Moseley will be the "use only in case of emergency (or blowout loss)" guy.  As we discussed here yesterday, adding Royce Ring or Ivan Nova for more depth would be a good move.

Texas Bullpen:

After being strong all season, the Ranger 'pen was more than a little shaky in the division series.  Only right-hander Darren O'Day had any success to speak of (2 IP, 0 runs allowed, 4 Ks).  Darren Oliver is a veteran the Yankees have seen before who they can use for one batter or multiple innings if needed, although his stuff isn't what it used to be.  Righty Dustin Nippert is a walking batting practice pitcher whose crummy regular season peripherals (1.68 WHIP, 1.38 K/BB ratio) translated over into his one disastrous ALDS appearance, and Alexi Ogando is an unknown commodity in terms of handling pressure situations.  Lefty Derek Holland has had a tough time transitioning from being a starter to a reliever so far, allowing 6 hits in 4.2 innings of work.

But perhaps the biggest question mark of all is closer Neftali Feliz, who has not looked sharp in either of his outings so far this postseason, walking the first 2 batters he faced in Game 1 of the ALDS and then completely melting down and blowing the lead in Game 3 before being taken out after retiring only 1 batter.  He also has the memory of his blown save and loss on August 11 against the Yankees to chew on while he tries to get his shit together for this series.  Feliz's recent struggles and the lack of a dominant lefty to match up with the Yankees big lefty hitters should both be huge causes for concern for Ron Washington and Ranger fans.