MINNEAPOLIS– Bring on the Angels.
Unlike last week, when the Yankees didn’t learn of their ALDS opponent until 20 hours before the first pitch, the ALCS already is set.
Several players watched on TV in the visitor’s clubhouse at the Metrodome yesterday as the Angels completed their ALDS sweep of the Red Sox with a 7-6 comeback victory at Fenway Park. It made it a good day for the Big Apple even before the Yankees completed their sweep of the Twins.
“Boston is still a very good team,” Johnny Damon said before the Yankees’ 4-1 victory. “I guess it was just the Angels’ time against them.”
So much for the possibility of a third Yankees-Red Sox ALCS in seven years. The Yankees and Angels have never met in the ALCS, but were ALDS opponents in 2002 and ’05. The Yankees lost both.
Manager Joe Girardi sees a dangerous potential opponent in front of the Yankees.
“Their lineup is very good,” he said. “Their bullpen has done a good job and they create problems with team speed.”
Damon said he’s not disappointed that there will not be a Yankees-Red Sox ALCS. Damon played in two as a member of the Red Sox (2003 and ’04).
“Both teams are tough,” Damon said. “We started playing [the Angels and Red Sox] better at the end of the season, but the Angels have a special way of how they play.
“There is no quit in the Angels,” Damon added. “We see that when we play them.”
Boston’s meltdown yesterday with Jonathan Papelbon on the mound to surrender three runs in the ninth inning was yet another reminder that a team’s closer is a crucial piece to the October puzzle.
The Twins learned that hard lesson in Game 2, when Joe Nathan surrendered a two-run homer to Alex Rodriguez in the ninth inning to tie the game before Mark Teixeira’s homer won it in the 11th.In that regard, Girardi is glad he’s got Mariano Rivera, who still is the standard, whether it’s the regular season or postseason.
“These are very good teams playing at this time of year, where the lineups are pretty complete and there are no breaks,” Girardi said. “What Mo has done in his career has been absolutely incredible.”
Girardi said he was surprised the Red Sox were swept.
“Anything can happen in a series,” he said. “But I didn’t think any series would go three games.”