Friday, October 16, 2009
Angels (97-65) @ Yankees (103-59), Friday, October 16, 2009, 7:57pm **Game Chatter**
Lineups
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Chone Figgins, 3B (.298/.391/.393, 5.7 WAR)
Bobby Abreu, RF (.293/.390/.435, 2.1 WAR)
Torii Hunter, CF (.299/.366/.508, 3.0 WAR)
Vladimir Guerrero, DH (.295/.334/.460, 0.0 WAR)
Juan Rivera, LF (.287/.332/.478, 2.1 WAR)
Kendry Morales, 1B (.306/.355/.569, 3.4 WAR)
Howie Kendrick, 2B (.291/.333/.444, 1.6 WAR)
Jeff Mathis, C (.211/.279/.308, -0.9 WAR)
Erick Aybar, SS (.312/.345/.423, 3.1 WAR)
Total, (.293/.355/.455, 20.1 WAR)
New York Yankees
Derek Jeter, SS (.334/.404/.465, 5.7 WAR)
Johnny Damon, LF (.282/.364/.489, 3.1 WAR)
Mark Teixeira, 1B (.292/.383/.565, 4.7 WAR)
Alex Rodriguez, 3B (.286/.402/.532, 3.5 WAR)
Hideki Matsui, DH (.274/.366/.509, 1.9 WAR)
Jorge Posada, C (.285/.363/.522, 1.3 WAR)
Robinson Cano, 2B (.320/.352/.520, 3.5 WAR)
Nick Swisher, RF (.249/.369/.498, 3.0 WAR)
Melky Cabrera, CF (.274/.333/.416, 0.9 WAR)
Total, (.291/.372/.502, 27.6 WAR)
Yankee Win Probability: 61.5%
Most objective evidence shows that the American League is stronger than the National League. Unfortunately, in 2008, the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays disgraced the AL by losing to the National League Phillies in the World Series. Being embarrassed by the National League is not acceptable. Avenging that embarrassment is important. As probably the best the team in the AL this year, the Yankees are the best candidates to avenge that embarrassment. In order to do so, they have to get past the Angels in the ALCS first.
The Yankees have their best starter on the mound and are at home. This is a game they should win. If they win, their chances of advancing to the World Series improve. Advancing to the World Series is important, especially since the reputation of their league is at stake. That makes tonight’s game really, really super important. In a season loaded with important games, this is the most important yet.
I’ve yet to see anywhere that has the Angels favored in this series besides Angels’ fanboy blogs. However, if the Angels are able to win this game on the road against the Yankees’ ace, their chances of winning the series will surely increase by a good amount. John Lackey is certainly capable of pitching as well or better than Sabathia, so it won’t be easy.
Go Yankees.
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