|
Yankees-Rangers Preview
By Stephen Cannella, Sports Illustrated
| |
| Edges |
| Hitting: |
Rangers |
Pudge, Greer, Gonzalez, Palmeiro, Zeile as fearsome as the heart of the Indians’ order |
| Starting
Pitching: |
Yankees |
Two inconsistent rotations, but New York’s is playoff-tested |
| Bullpen: |
Rangers |
An endless supply of quality middle men and Wetteland can end a game after six innings |
| Defense: |
Yankees |
As long as Knoblauch doesn’t have to throw, infield is solid |
| Bench: |
Yankees |
Anchored by the postseason king, Jim Leyritz |
| Manager: |
Yankees |
Oates has done a fine job, but Torre is a proven postseason master | | The YANKEES will win if : They get decent starts from David Cone and Roger Clemens, no sure thing. Cone, who has knee-buckling stuff when he’s on, has been maddeningly inconsistent since his perfect game in July. Clemens has also been erratic, and he has a history of overthrowing and losing command when he’s overly pumped up. They only have to be decent, not dominating; New York should generate more than enough offense.
The RANGERS will win if : They can chase the Yankees’ starters early and turn each game into a battle of the bullpens -- and even then the Rangers are a longshot. Texas’s relievers were the American League’s best this season, and the Rangers’ best hope is to beat up on New York starters and then let the ‘pen hold the fort. That’s an iffy proposition, however; The Rangers hit just .246 against the Yankees this season.
Don’t be surprised if : The Yankees, whose running game will be negated by Pudge Rodriguez behind the plate, are extremely aggressive taking extra bases on hits to the outfield. Texas’s Rusty Greer, Tom Goodwin and Juan Gonzalez can be a weak-throwing bunch, and the Yankees’ lineup is stocked with smart, if not the speediest, baserunners.
X factor : Aaron Sele. The Texas righthander won 18 games this year and proved he can be a consistent winner -- in the regular season. The Rangers need a strong outing, or two, from Sele to have any shot against the Yankees.
Prediction : Yankees in four
Sports Illustrated staff writer Stephen Cannella will be contributing
regularly to CNNSI.com throughout the playoffs.
| 
