ALCS Preview: Yankees vs Rangers
Ideally the Texas Rangers would have liked Cliff Lee to pitch in game one of the American League Championship Series. But having pitched in the decisive game five of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays, Lee will have to wait until game three.
As a result Texas manager, Ron Washington has tabbed CJ Wilson as the game one starter on Friday night.
It might not be a bad thing having Lee pitch game three. With the first two games at Rangers ballpark having Wilson and Colby Lewis pitch at home could benefit both, rather than having to have to pitch in the intimidating Yankees stadium.
If there’s one guy you want to pitch at Yankees stadium in your first ALCS it’s the guy who has yet to lose a play-off game and the guy who beat the Yankees in the World Series last year – Cliff Lee.
"As I've gotten more comfortable in my role as a starting pitcher, I've had to thicken those walls in my bubble to keep everything else out and stay in my little zone and stay with what is making me successful, and that's the thing he and I talk about all the time.
"The thing with Cliff is that he keeps his process the same no matter what is going on around him,” Wilson, a 15-game winner said.
New York will start 21-game winner CC Sabathia on Friday night hoping their ace can provide them with the perfect start to the series. Manager Joe Girardi will go with Phil Hughes in game two but he’s hoping his team aren’t feeling the effects of not playing for six days.
"You do worry about not playing for six days. Hopefully, they won't be rusty and they will come out and the rest actually did them good."
The Yankees have concerns over their starting rotation, especially with AJ Burnett who struggled all season. He was dropped from the ALDS rotation and in his latest warm-up game hit two batters and threw a wild pitch – his first live action since October 2nd.
That will please the Rangers who beat New York’s division rivals Tampa Bay in the previous round showing they can win in various ways.
If the question marks over New York’s pitching come to fruition the Rangers look to be in good position to make their first ever World Series. Josh Hamilton’s bat will have to turn up if the Rangers stand any chance progressing.
If Cliff Lee is to pitch twice in the series it will have to be a seven-game series and there will be no-one better to hand the ball to.
Prediction: Rangers in seven.
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