Playoffs school: The New York Yankees

October 2nd, 2006 | Posted by The Postmen

Similar to our big college football preview from Friday - though not as long, hopefully - we’ve decided to ask some of the people who know much better about their individual baseball teams than we do to help us preview their playoff chances by answering a few questions. We’ll be throwing these at you all week.

First up is - who else - the New York Yankees. Jamie R co-blogs the Yankees over at Pinstripe Alley, and he schooled us on the A-Rod situation, Sal Fasano’s moustache, and his hope for a World Series.

The Postmen: The Yankees have seemed to be out in front of the rest of the AL for almost the entire year. While the AL seems considerably better than the NL, who is built to derail the Yankees? Who would Yankees (and Yankees fans) prefer to see in the first round?

Jaime Robedo: Well, the first part of the question isn’t exactly right. They were down several games to the Red Sox going into the All Star break. It just seemed like they were ahead because the Red Sox collapsed so soon after the five game sweep in Boston. The team best built to derail them, (Besides Boston) the Angels, failed to make the playoffs. Their speed, aggressive playcalling, and great bullpen is the perfect antidote. The A’s might give them the hardest time because of their solid starting pitching and offensive philosophy. I’d prefer to see the Tigers becuase the Yanks handled them very well during the season.

TP: If I, in my humble and only partially-informed opinion, had to point out where the Yankees might seem vulnerable, it’s with the whole A-Rod, Giambi and Jeter Sports Illustrated guff. Does that sort of thing - and maybe ARod’s situation at large - have any affect on this team and its performance?

JR: The interview was done during the 5 game set in Boston. I bet any issue swere resolved long before the article came out. These are pro’s through and through and when they take the field nothing else matter except the game. Good hitters will get big hits eventually. No great athlete can ‘choke’ for too long. A-Rod is going to be in a position to make the big play and when he does, this whole insane year will be forgotten.

TP: What’s the biggest question surrounding this team right now?

JR: Randy Johnson’s health. Lidle and Jaret Wright are shaky propositions as a fourth starter so they’ll need that solid third starter to come through. Other than that, Gary Sheffield’s progress. He’s looking good at the plate and on the field I must say.

TP: What’s this team’s most solid area?

JR: Their ability to battle pitchers and put themselves in a good opportunity to get on base. With the addition of Abreu, starting pitchers are lucky to go 6 innings and if the opposition’s bullpen is shaky, the Yanks will pounce on every opportunity to score late in the game.

TP: Who’s the most important player on this team?

JR: Gotta go with Derek Jeter. He’s the captain of the team and the symbol of championship baseball. But he’s followed closely by Mariano Rivera. He’s coming back from an injury and as of right now, there isn’t anyone in the bullpen that can replace him. Mo is automatic and anyone else on the mound closing the game frightens me.

TP: Who’s the fan favorite right now?

JR: Jeter. Rivera. The fans love the older players from the recent dynasty like Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada. I gotta tell you though, I’m a huge fan of Hideki Matsui.

TP: Who’s the most consistently detrimental player on the team, and what Single-A market would be the proper punishment for his crimes?

JR: Ha. I won’t go there. They have all earned their spots on the team no matter what some of the fans say. Although, Sal Fasano mystifies me. I don’t get it. I think he may be the originator of the mustache craze that went around the team for awhile. It worked.

TP: Picture the perfect scenario - the Yankees win the World Series. How will it happen?

JR: The Yankees are built like they were back in the late nineties. They have the fewest homeruns since that team. I see them opening up big leads late in games just like they did back then. There may be a disaster or two in the cards if the Starting pitching goes nutty, but rarely do Wang and Mussina have two bad outings in a row. I’d like another Subway Series but, living in L.A., I’d like to see them play the Dodgers.