Writing the Pine

I hope we don’t see this again.  It happened in ‘02.  It happened again in ‘05.  They’ve always played us tough, rallied behind their monkey to pummel our bullpen (Mo included), and protected their homefield.  (Which isn’t in Los Angeles.  It’s in Anaheim.  That’s like if the NY Giants called themselves the New York Giants of the Meadowlands.  Wait.  They should…)

This series matchup was probably my least favorite option among the alternative(s).  We had Boston’s number the second half of the season and I was confident we could dispatch them in 5 or 6 games.  But the Angels?  It’s going to be a tough 7 game series that’s going to go down to the very last out. 

“It’s going to be a war between us and the Angels.” – Andy Pettitte, minutes after clinching a ALCS birth

Luckily, we get 4 games in the Bronx as a reward for having the best record in baseball. 

So how do the Yankees beat the Angels?  Good thing you asked:

How to Beat the Angels

1) Stop this man

Gary A. Vasquez / US Presswire

Kendry Morales  .375, 3 hrs, 7 RBIs.  These are his season statistics against us.  He was their Walmart brand Mark Teixiera.  Not the same, but pretty damn close for a fraction of the price.   (Save money.  Live better.)

And this guy too while you’re at it.

Howie Kendrick .426, 12 doubles, 7 stolen bases.  These are his career statistics against us.

Watch out for these two guys to play a pivotal role in either beating the Yankees or losing to the Yankees.  We might see Kendrick as a late-inning guy off the bench to run or pinch hit.  He started the two-out rally against Jonathan Papelbon in the ALDS against Boston.

(Editor’s Note:  Sorry.  It was Erick Aybar, not Howie Kendrick.  I apologize to his legions of fans for the mistake.)

2) Neutralize the Angels Speed and Baserunning

When people think of the Angels’ speed, they think of their basestealing. That’s only a portion of what they do. The Yankees can neutralize that.  They can’t steal bases if they aren’t on base.  That’s on the starting pitching and defense.  When they do get on, (and they will unless the Yankees throw four straight perfect games) they need to vary the timing on their delivery, pickoff throws to first, and well-timed pitch outs.  (Studies have shown a significant drop-off in steal-success rates when there are 2-3 pickoff attempts.)

The bigger speed threat is the Angels aggressive baserunning - going from first to third, scoring from second on a single, and generally test the throwing arm strength and accuracy of the Yankees outfielders.  (I’m looking at you, Johnny Damon)  There will come a time this series when we wish we had someone like Ichiro patrolling a corner outfield spot for us.

3) Fight Fire with Fire

While Brett Gardner might get a start or two, he’ll be most useful as a late-game pinch runner to steal bases and manufacture a run.  When he starts, he needs to get on base and get in the minds of the Angels pitching staff.  (See: Two September victories against the Angels)

Luckily the Yankees agree with this, and have taken Eric Hinske off the ALCS roster and added Freddy Guzman.  His sole purpose in life is to steal a base.  We traded for him and added him to our 40-man roster before August 31, so he could be our Homer Bush.  In fact, the Yankees brass gave the specific instructions in the minor league for Guzman to run with reckless abandon.  Take that Angels.

4) Get to their Bullpen

Unlike years past, the Angels bullpen isn’t as nearly invincible.  There are cracks and chinks in their armor and the Yankees love their late-inning heroics against opposing bullpens. 

The Angels bullpen had a 4.56 ERA and there is no K-Rod, no Scott Shields, and no whoever shut us down in years past.

The Yankees have 51 come-from-behind victories and 15 walk-off hits.  They also have the top three homerun hitters from the 7th inning on in the AL.  (Thanks TBS for the obscure stat that popped up right before A-Rod’s game tying HR in Game Three of the ALDS.)

You guys may remember this strategy from the Pedro Martinez days.  Wear out their good starting rotation (Lackey, Saunders, Weaver and Kazmir) and get to their bullpen.  Pronto.  Luckily we have the patient hitters (Swisher) and pesky hitters (Damon) to wear out a staff.

5) Two-out Hits and their damn RallyMonkey.

The Angels scored more than 40% of their runs with two outs.  Only the Red Sox scored more this year.  The Yankees need to avoid the two-out rallies that seem to plague some members of their pitching staff.  In the series before the All-Star break, the Angels broke the Yankees back in the three-game sweep by rallying with two outs.  Maybe it’s all in the mind.  But they need to put the Angels away when they can.  And get rid of their damn Rally Monkey.

Follow these 5 things and the Yankees should prevail.

Prediction? Yankees in 7.

C.C. – ALCS MVP

P.S. Mother Nature might play a big role in the series.  Without a rain delay, the Yankees will be able to march out a 3-man rotation, with only C.C. in Game 4 pitching on short rest.  Unheard of.  With rain delays, the depth of the starting pitching rotation favors the Angels.  However, the rain can slow the Angels (and Yankees) running game. 

I say a rain delay favors the Angels and tips the balance of the series in their favor.