Sabathia and A-Rod vs. the Twins

There are two players who need to prove themselves this postseason: A-Rod and CC Sabathia. A-Rod needs to play well in October after his past failures with the Yankees and put the criticis to rest. CC Sabathia needs to play well in October after his big contract and his past failures in the playoffs. The Star-Ledger says CC is the one on the hot seat. The Boston Globe's newest columnist, the Blogfather Pete Abraham, says A-Rod is the one facing the heat after his past trials.

I think both of them are feeling the pressure. But I have confidence in both of them. Here is why...

Baseball Musings has some great stats about CC Sabathia vs. the Twins since 2007:

7 games started, 1 CG, 6-1, 1.22 ERA, 51.2 innings, 40 hits, 1 HR, 7 BB, 35 K, 4 HBP, 6.1 K/9, 1.2 BB/9, 0.17 HR/9, 5.00 K/BB

Not too shabby. Add that to his 11-2, 2.74 second half this year and he should be due for a big playoffs.

And Alex Rodriguez? The Wall Street Journal says to cut him some slack for lack of clutchness.

He also had his best playoff series as a Yankee against the Twins in 2004. Here is what A-Rod did in that series courtesy of B-R (with his playoff totals below):



That was the last playoff series the Yankees won. Tonight, the Yankees try to get back to those winnings ways.

A word of caution to those who are trying to put a lot of weight on CC's start tonight: in 2004, Mike Mussina lost to Johan Santana in Game 1 and everyone thought the series was over, but the Yankees rallied and won consecutive starts by Jon Lieber, Kevin Brown and Javier Vazquez to win the series. So no panic in the street if the Yankees lose tonight, OK?