The Angels learned in this ALCS that the Yankees can beat you in many ways. Little Ball and Big Pitching by Andy Pettitte paved the way last night for the Yankees’ 40th pennant on a perfect October night.
Now the new Yankee Stadium has an AL pennant of its own to fly after the Yankees 5-2 victory over the Angels in Game 6. A World Championship is next on the list, something the Yankees haven’t won since 2000.
Get ready for the Turnpike Throwdown, Yankees vs. Phillies. Cheesesteaks vs.NYY Steak.
The Phillies are going to have their hands full with these Yankees, promised Angels center fielder Torii Hunter.
“You’re up against the Beast of the East,” Hunter said in the quiet of the Angels clubhouse. “They are definitely that. Those guys are tough to beat. Philly is a good ballclub, but those guys are beasts over there.”
It’s not just talent that makes the Yankees so tough.
“Maturity,” Hunter said is the key. “They have a lot of experience. A lot of seasoned guys. A lot of smart players over there, and they know how to execute and play the game. That’s what beat us, a little more experience. Those guys beat our pitchers down, 3-2 counts.
“Some of my favorite players are over there,” he added. “I promise you I will be rooting for those guys, keep it in the American League. It will be a mountain to climb to try to get past those guys.”
It will be up to the defending champions to try to beat back the Yankees. As Jimmy Rollins said back in March during the World Baseball Classic, beating the Mets and the Yankees in the same season would be “sick.”
Let the sickness begin. First and foremost, the Phillies are going to have to find a way to slow down Alex Rodriguez. They cannot let Rodriguez take a win away from them with a late inning home run as he did in the 11th inning of Game 2 at Yankee Stadium, the biggest hit of the series.
“That one really hurt us,” reliever Darren Oliver said of that pivotal loss.
After the Yankees lost Game 3, they pounded the Angels in Game 4, 10-1, playing old-fashioned hardball. The Angels had no chance because they could not handle ALCS MVP CC Sabathia, who posted a 1.13 ERA in his two starts. The Yankees used Sabathia the right way throughout the season and he has plenty left in his tank.
“There’s a reason he’s the highest-paid pitcher in baseball,” Hunter said.
The Yankees have added another component this year as well, tremendous defense at first base, something they haven’t had since the days prior to Jason Giambi.
Throughout this series Mark Teixeira was there to save the day. The Angels defensive meltdown in the eighth last night, with errors by second baseman Howie Kendrick and pitcher Scott Kazmir on simple bunt plays, sealed their fate.
Defense is never more valuable than in the postseason.
Then there is Mariano Rivera, the greatest postseason weapon of them all. He gives Joe Girardi a huge managerial advantage. Rivera came on for a two-inning save last night. The Angels battled, but they didn’t have enough of anything: hitting, pitching or defense.
The Phillies have that East Coast toughness, and that is so important to have to stand up to the Yankees. During the WBC, Rollins and Derek Jeter shared shortstop duties. Rollins used his time wisely around the Captain.
“I talk to him a lot,” Rollins said back then. “I asked about winning four titles, and he shared some of that knowledge with me.”
Now the Phillies will be trying to use some of that knowledge against the Yankees. They will need all the help they can get.
“We got beat by the best team,” Hunter said. “If they lose, I’ll be ticked off.”
Don’t expect them to lose. The Yankees, like Hunter said, are the Beast of the East.