MLB - New York at Cleveland (6:35 PM ET - TBS)
In New York any season that does not result in at least a World Series appearance is considered a failure
2007-10-04
) In New York any season that does not result in at least a World Series appearance is considered a failure. The Yankees have not been in playing in late October since losing to Arizona and have not won it all since 2000 when they beat the other New York team in 2000. For players like Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada, this is like a different part of their lives since all four were on the last Yankees team that won three in a row from 1998-2000.
In Cleveland, it’s been generations since a World Series championship flag flew over the city. Ten different presidents have held office since 1948, which was the last time the Indians were the kings of baseball. This 59-year drought pales by comparison to the Cubs, but it is still the longest streak of any team in the American League.
If you asked your average baseball fan or bettor who had the best record of all the playoff teams since August 15, most would answer the Yankees, who almost came back from 21-29 start, being 14.5 games back to win the AL East.
The correct answer would be Cleveland, who was 31-12 and ran away in the AL Central. The Tribe could not have drawn a worse team to play in the opening round based on season results. Cleveland was 0-6 against New York and was outscored 49-17.
In both series, New York avoided C.C. Sabathia (19-7, 3.21) who put together his finest performance of his career. Sabathia became a complete pitcher this season, avoiding the typical pratfalls he has encountered in the past.
The Yankees have not actually faced Sabathia in over three years. Previously they beat him like the guy pounding the drum in the movie Major League, beating him seven of eight times and leaving the big lefty with a 7.13 ERA.
This season, in spite of 94 wins, they were only 20-19 against left-hand starters.
Chien-Ming Wang was the Yanks best hurler on the season with 19-7 mark and 3.70 ERA. Wang was somewhat less effective from a performance standpoint, with an earned run average a more then a run higher, however he received plenty of run support as the Bronx Bombers won 10 of his 14 starts.
Sportsbook.com has the Yankees as series favorites and the favorite to win at opener at -121 with a total of Ov8.5. That suits Sabathia who has stepped to the challenge with 13-3 record against the money line as an underdog of
+100 to +150 over the last three seasons. (Indians Record)
With Cleveland being a free swing bunch, seldom willing to hit to the opposite field and striking out frequently, New York is 38-11 against the money line vs. teams whose hitters strike out seven or more times. As ominous as this sounds for Cleveland, the Yankees were only 5-14 on the road against lefties.
The series first pitch will be around 6:35 Eastern on TBS
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