Playoffs Start Tomorrow

Yankees have home field advantage throughout the playoffs. First victim = Detroit Tigers. Here are the pitching matchups:

Tues Oct 3
Tigers @ Yankees
Nate Robertson vs. Chien-Ming Wang

Wed Oct 4
Tigers @ Yankees
Justin Verlander vs. Mike Mussina

Fri Oct 6
Yankees @ Tigers
Randy Johnson vs. Kenny Rogers

Based purely on these matchups, the Yankees should win the first two. Game three is a toss up, though I give the Yankees a slight edge. If Johnson walks one batter, I say take him out.

Here's the Yankees post-season starting lineup:

1. Johnny Damon, CF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Gary Sheffield, 1B
5. Jason Giambi, DH
6. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
7. Hideki Matsui, LF
8. Jorge Posada, C
9. Robinson Cano, 2B

No Melky. No Bernie. Just like with Johnson, if Sheffield or Matsui go 0 fer in Game One, I say Cabrera and Williams start Game Two.

How absurd is it that the Yankees number 9 hitter was the AL Player of the Month for Sept. Pretty absurd.

Bonus: Check out Newsdays 25 best photos of the Yankees 2006 season. Here are my favs: