ALCS Preview: Why the Yankees Will Beat the Angels

Unlike the 2009 NLCS, I was spot on with my prediction for the ALCS. The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels will battle for the American League championship and a spot in the World Series. This should be an exciting series with quite a bit of runs scored. I expect the no-longer-so-evil Empire to out-slug the Angels and meet the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2009 World Series. Here is why I predict the Yankees will defeat the Angels in the 2009 ALCS.

Reason 1 the Yankees will beat the Angels: I was right about C.C and A-Rod

In my ALDS preview, I wrote that both C.C. Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez would have a good series. Sabathia's start against the Twins in game one wasn't life changing but he did good enough, going 6.2 innings and giving up one earned run. Sabathia also struck out eight. Sabathia has yet another chance to improve upon his postseason reputation in the 2009 ALCS. For what it's worth, Sabathia was born in California. Just sayin'.

Then there's A-Rod and his monster series against the Twins. The game-tying home run in the ninth. The .455 batting average. The 1.500 OPS. Right now, Rodriguez is MVP A-Rod, the scariest batter in Major League Baseball. Does it look like he's about to cool down anytime soon?

Reason 2 the Yankees will beat the Angels: Minus Phil Hughes, the Yankees bullpen can carry the team to an ALCS championship

No Yankees pitcher went seven innings in the ALDS against the Twins. How did the Yankees run away with the series, then? Their bullpen kept the games close enough so that the Yanks could make their dramatic comebacks. Yes, New York slugged six home runs against the Twins. They didn't win games 11-7, though. With the offense the Yankees have, all the bullpen must do is keep games within striking distance. If the Yankees lead going into the ninth, well...

Some fans of the Yankees were nervous about the "aging" Mariano Rivera during the regular season. Rivera pitched in 3.2 innings against the Twins. He didn't give up a run and he struck out seven batters. I think he's just fine.

Reason 3 the Yankees will beat the Angels: Mark Teixeria won't hit .167 again

In my ALDS preview, I made a prediction based upon gut feeling that A-Rod was going to be the series hero. I'm doing that here with Teixeria. No statistical analysis. Just a feeling I have.

Reason 4 the Yankees will beat the Angels: It's seriously cold in New York

I mentioned the weather in the NLCS preview since that series features an east coast team against a west coast team. I'm currently writing this at 4:00 pm across the river from Manhattan. It's 39 degrees outside. The cold air will keep baseballs from rocketing out of the new Yankee Stadium, bringing the prolific Angels' offense back down to earth.

Imagine a night game at Yankee Stadium and the temperature at first pitch is 38 degrees. Are you going with a team from New York or a team from Los Angeles? Out of the two teams, it's the Yankees that have the true home field advantage.

Much like the Phillies-Dodgers NLCS, I expect some excellent baseball games in the ALCS. Much to the delight of the New York baseball fans around me, I expect the Yankees to play in what in yet another World Series.

Yankees over Angels in 6

Check out my NLCS Preview and my New York Sports Fans Unite pieces