Atkinsons Fencing

The Yankees will go to California to face the Angels in Los Angeles in a game series this week. This series offers fans the opportunity to observe a possible playoff preview and the class of the AL goes to her.

The Yankees are first in the Middle-AL with the best record of a baseball 95-55. Every fan knows their stars: Jeter, A-Rod Teixeira, Damon. These players will anchor an offense that is first in runs scored with 856, circuits, and OBP. 2B Robinson Cano, with a .518 slugging percentage, appears regularly seventh. NY has an ace at the top of their rotation in CC Sabathia, who is 18-7. Sabathia has not given up more than three earned runs in almost two months. They also have AJ Burnett as the second starter, which can be both electrically (8.19 K / 9) and wild (4.26 BB / 9). Even with an inconsistent and questionable Burnett rear end of the rotation, the Yankees bullpen one of the top tandems in baseball with Breakout setup man Phil Hughes and the incomparable Mariano Rivera. With their offense and NY does not have an ideal starting rotation, just a good idea.

Angels are first in the AL West with a 89-60 record. Like the Yankees, the Angels have an excellent offense. The offense is THE first MLB BA 0285 and second in runs scored. Soloists for the Angels Kendry Morales 1B included, the source of great power with 30 HR and 95 RBI and Chone Figgins, who has recorded 95 walks. The Angels have a strong starting rotation. Rotation leader John Lackey is having another good season at 11-8, 3.56, while # 2 Jered Weaver is 15-7. Finally, Scott Kazmir has been excellent in his short time LA, turning the era of 1.42 and allowing only six BB into 25 rounds. Kazmir If it continues, the angels will be virtually unbeatable. Angels is a real weakness in their bullpen. Closer Brian Fuentes had 43 saves, but was very inconsistent, especially with his control. The quality of their farm, and the bullpen in general is what makes the Yankees a better team than LA now.

The ex-factor for the Yankees in this series will be Chad Gaudin. Gaudin picked the scrap heap of NY in early August, was a pleasant surprise in the role of No. 5 starting this month. Gaudin has pitched well in two of three starts, and the Yankees have won all three games he has thrown. Despite the success of NY with him on the mound, Gaudin is a young worker who was happier than good, and it is difficult not to believe it could explode at any time. If Gaudin pitches well in the contest midway through the series and reduces the pressure on Burnett for the last game, the Yankees would be very happy.

The ex-factor for LA is Kendry Morales. Morales is the threat of a powerful HR for the Angels. If the Angels offense is a typical series, Morales must be there to hit balls over the fence and drive players like the home Figgins. If Morales does not have a good series, then the chances of winning in Los Angeles are lowered significantly.

This series is very divided, but I believe that angels have the slight advantage. Los Angeles is home, where they are 45-27. In the first match they get to face Andy Pettitte, who returned from a jump start because of shoulder stiffness. In the second they face Gaudin, who is due for a bad start, then they throw Ervin Santana, who has been excellent the past month and a half. The only time I see the Yankees with a possible advantage is in the final game with Burnett on the mound. NY may be better than Los Angeles, but in this series, they did not confrontation in their favor. We'll have to wait until the playoffs to see who really has the better team.

Match 1: LA 6, NY 5

Game 2: THE 7, NY 4

Game 3: 9 NY, LA 3