ALDS Preview: The Prediction

We've broken down both teams rosters, we've pointed out the major keys to the series, now all that's left is to put some money down and make a prediction.

I know everyone's down on the Yankees this year.  I know everybody in the mainstream media thinks their pitching is nothing but CC and that Mo is done and this is the year that the Twins finally get over the hump.  I know everybody thinks Jeter is washed up and Jorge is too old and Teix is too hurt and Cano has never gotten it done in the postseason.  I know all that and I still just don't see Minnesota beating the Yanks in this series, even with the homefield advantage.

The Yankee lineup is far deeper and more dangerous that Minnesota's and much better equipped to handle left-handed pitching.  The Yankee rotation, despite being short, still has the potential to be more of a shutdown rotation than Minnesota's due to their combined stuff, experience, and their ability to miss bats.  And even though the bullpens both look stacked on paper, Minnesota might be without Jon Rauch because of his knee injury, and their relievers, like their starters, pitch to a lot of contact, something that gets teams in trouble against the Yankee lineup.

Anyway you try to cut it, the Yankees are just a little bit better than the Twins in every category and that's what will propel them past the Twins once again.  I see a split in the first 2 games in Minnesota and then the Yanks wrapping it up at home with 2 straight wins.

Prediction:  Yankees in 4.

** Check back later this afternoon for AB4AR's new Game-by-Game Playoff Preview Format **