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The moment the Texas Rangers’ Cliff Lee hurled his last strike Tuesday night; he not only killed the Tampa Bay Rays’ postseason dreams, but also gave the New York Yankees an official ALCS opponent for Game One on Friday night.

The Yankees will fly down to Texas to face the Rangers in the seven-game ALCS series, which for one team will lead to the World Series.

In all honesty, predictions were betting the Rays would beat the Rangers in the ALDS, but in a five-game series, there is no room to stumble.

The Rays didn’t start playing up to their ability until Game Three, and by the time Tampa caught up, it was Cliff Lee time in the deciding game.

Cy Young winner and certified bad-ass Cliff Lee is no stranger to pressure, especially in the postseason. Watching Lee’s postseason career is literally watching baseball history in the making.

In seven starts, Lee posts a 1.44 ERA, allowing nine earned runs, six walks, striking out 54 hitters and giving up just one home run over 56.1 innings.

Three of those seven wins were complete games; the last was this past Tuesday night to beat the Rays and lead the Rangers to the ALCS for the first time.

Except for changing uniforms like it’s Halloween in the Bronx, Lee and his famous left arm are no stranger to the Yankees. Neither are Yankees fans, who will get to see Lee in the Yankees’ first ALCS home game next Monday night, the third of the series.

If recent history can predict any game’s outcome, this would be it. Lee is the dictator when he starts; if he wants to win, he does.

The Yankees have shown signs of getting to Lee in the past with some success, but not in 2010 and certainly not in the postseason, which was witnessed in the 2009 World Series when Lee was a Philadelphia Phillie.

The Yankees are by no means underdogs in this series against the Rangers, except any game Lee pitches because the Bombers are at his mercy, but this time things will be different.

Overall, the Yankees have the better team; way more experience and are beyond determined to repeat.

Not just for the players’ own egos because the team owes someone else another World Series title, to say the least.

Mr. George Steinbrenner, known as the Boss, would not have it any other way and neither would his Yankees.

So, bring on the Rangers and Cliff Lee, because it’s time for the Yankees to show the Rangers how champions play.

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The Texas Rangers will face the New York Yankees in the ALCS.

Yes, you read that correctly, the Texas Rangers! One of just two teams coming into the season to never win a traditional postseason series are now four tough wins away from a World Series berth.

Those wins will definitely be tough to come by, as they face off against the reigning World Series champs in the Yankees.

That is not to say the Yankees don’t have question marks because they certainly do. They still have to decide whether or not to pitch the often erratic, sometimes brilliant A.J. Burnett.

That piles on top of the lack of bullpen depth for the Yankees. It’s Mariano then everybody else since Kerry Wood has looked a little shaky recently.

Whichever team wins the series, it should be a fun one to watch. Both teams pack a big punch offensively and play in hitter’s ballparks so expect some scoring when Cliff Lee or CC Sabathia aren’t pitching.

How will it all unfold? I have a few scenarios in my five bold predictions…

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Nearly 50 years of baseball. The last 39 of those years in Arlington. One of only three teams to have never been to the World Series. The Texas Rangers were not exactly a team with a rich tradition. However, when B.J. Upton popped out to left center to end the ninth inning, Texas fans finally had reason to celebrate.

If someone had said back in April that the Texas Rangers would be playing the New York Yankees for the American League pennant and a potential World Series berth, many would have laughed in their face. From Ron Washington‘s admission of cocaine use to the bankruptcy problems that have plagued the front office, the Rangers didn’t look like a team bound for October baseball.

Luckily for the boys in red, white, and blue, things don’t always turn out like predicted.

Nolan Ryan and Ron Washington managed to find a way to put the distractions aside and lead the team to a 90 win season. From the resurgence of Vladimir Guerrero to stealing former Mariner Cliff Lee away from the Yankees right before the trade deadline, the front office made all of the right moves to give this team a chance to win. Even without potential MVP Josh Hamilton down the stretch, destiny had a plan for these Rangers.

When the Rangers clinched the West division title for the first time since 1999 in late September, long-time Ranger Michael Young finally got his first taste of the postseason. It only took a little over 1,500 games. As great as it felt to finally have the chance to play baseball deep into October, this team wasn’t simply willing to settle with a playoff berth; this team wanted playoff victories.

After the Tampa Bay Rays won the American League East, the Rangers knew that victory wasn’t going to be easy. They would be going on the road to face the team with the league’s best record at 96-66. Most experts weren’t giving them much of a chance to make it past the divisional series.

Cliff Lee and company had other plans.

After Lee dominated the Tampa Bay Rays during game one on the road, the fans in Arlington had reason to hope. Then there was C.J. Wilson’s two-hit gem in game two. The boys from Arlington were headed home with a 2-0 series lead and a chance to get that coveted series victory that had eluded them since their inception as the Washington Senators in 1961.

Unfortunately, after shutting down the Rays lineup in the first two games, things began to unravel in Texas. The Rangers’ bullpen gave up five runs in the final two innings of game three and went on to lose 6-3. Things didn’t go any better in game four as the Rays jumped ahead by five runs and went on to win 5-2 and even the series at two games apiece. 

With the momentum clearly on the Rays side going into game five in St. Petersburg, many teams would have let the pressure get to them. Not these Texas Rangers. Not with Cliff Lee on the mound for game five.

Lee continued the postseason brilliance he has been known for his entire career. After a complete game where he only allowed one run and struck out 11, the Texas Rangers are moving on to the ALCS to face the New York Yankees.

Don’t count this team out. Ranger fans haven’t forgotten the first round eliminations at the hands of the Yankees in 1996, 1998, and 1999. With Cliff Lee, C.J. Wilson, and Colby Lewis anchoring the rotation, and Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, and Vlad Guerrero providing the offense, competing with the bloated payroll of the evil empire won’t be a problem.

When the Yankees come to Arlington on Friday night, don’t expect the Rangers to back down. These Rangers are out for blood.

After nearly a half century wait, these Texas Rangers are different. Not only do they want to win, but they expect to win. It’s time to bring a pennant home. It’s time to give the loyal Ranger fans what they’ve been waiting for since 1961. Bring on the Yankees!

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If anyone was surprised at Cliff Lee’s performance in today’s ALDS conclusion, they haven’t watched enough baseball to call themselves fans.

If this postseason has made one thing perfectly evident, it is that a true ace in the postseason is worth many times his weight in gold. What’s more astonishing is how accurately one may predict the outcome of a series, especially a short series like the divisional round, simply by assessing the caliber of a team’s ace.

In 2010, the four consensus best ace pitchers were: Roy Halladay, Tim Lincecum, Lee and C.C. Sabathia. What four teams did they pitch for? The Philadelphia Phillies, the San Francisco Giants, the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees. Which four teams advanced to the championship series? You guessed it, those same teams.

They simply aren’t the same as other pitchers in baseball.

The value of these type of aces cannot be overstated. They will give you consistently above average innings, often lasting into the eighth or ninth. This is what most separates them from pitchers like Francisco Liriano and Tim Hudson; they don’t leave a victory up to chance. If they start a game, they have a good chance of finishing it and disallowing the bullpen a chance to implode.

Regular season records are a good indication of how a team might play in 162 games, but a postseason is a race against time. Take the 2001 season, for example: the Seattle Mariners played baseball to the tune of a 116-46 record, but had to face Roger Clemens and Mike Mussina, two pitchers contending for a Cy Young, in the ALCS. Looking at the composite box score shows the power of outstanding pitching: the Yankees outscored the Mariners 17-12 in the first six innings of the series, leading to a 4-1 Yankee victory. The same then happened to the Yankees, as they faced Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling.

Expect the same in each league’s championship series.

Building for the regular season and building for the postseason are two dramatically different ballgames. While the Rays were probably the most complete team this season, with power up and down their lineup, and four above average starters, they were beaten twice by Cliff Lee in one series. After that, the Rangers only needed to win one more game in three to assure themselves a bid in the ALCS.

Future teams should take heed of the Rays and reconsider their rotations.

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It is at this stage of the year when we see which GMs have done a great job of building a team. Unfortunately, the Mets are not one of those teams that are still in World Series contention. As a result of the fourth straight October without playoff baseball in Queens, Omar Minaya is gone and the Mets are searching for a new GM.

There was a youth movement on the field for the Mets this year and this should continue with the management. The Mets should look no further than 40-year-old Josh Byrnes. The former GM of the Arizona Diamondbacks was 29 when he was first hired as an assistant GM for the Colorado Rockies in 1999. Then, in 2001, Byrnes left the Rockies to work within the same capacity for the Red Sox under Theo Epstein. From 2005 to July 2010, Byrnes was the Diamondbacks GM.

With the size of the Mets payroll, it is not about how much money they spend. It is about what players they spend it on. Byrnes is the man who will be able to make the correct decisions.  

Byrnes is known around the baseball community as a sabermetric “geek.” This is exactly what the Mets need. They need someone who can truly evaluate what players are overvalued and what players are undervalued. Byrnes most likely picked up his penchant for sabermetrics while working under Theo Epstein. Epstein even went as far as hiring famed sabermetrician Bill James to work for the Red Sox. Epstein’s deals and signings led the Red Sox to two World Series championships within five years.

Byrnes can do the same thing for the Mets. If Byrnes becomes the GM Mets fans should look forward to a few deals over the offseason and at least one big free-agent signing. Byrnes would likely be able to move Luis Castillo, Oliver Perez or John Maine.

Byrnes would also not be afraid to challenge the Wilpons to open up their checkbook for Cliff Lee.  Lee’s 7.0 WAR led all pitchers this year. This is a stat that is loved by sabermetricians like Byrnes.

Carl Crawford, another potential free agent, posted a 6.8 WAR this season, ninth highest of all position players. Crawford could be a target to take over in center field if the Mets and their new GM are able to move Carlos Beltran in a deal for someone such as Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Josh Byrnes would represent the change that is so greatly needed in New York. He would once again bring the Mets back to prominence. His sabermetric approach would push the Mets back towards the top of the new age of baseball.

To read about the other possible GM candidates visit MetsGazette

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The ALDS series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Texas Rangers started when the Rangers Cliff Lee outdueled the Rays David Price.  Twenty-four hours later, the Rays fell again behind James Shields to the Rangers and C.J. Wilson.  In fact, the Rays only had one run in the first two games at Tropicana Field, via Ben Zobrist‘s solo homer in Game 1. 

Then, the series went off to Arlington, Texas.  The Rangers wanted to close out the series in front of the home crowd.  Colby Lewis tried to advance the Rangers, while Matt Garza tried to save the Rays season.  Garza prevailed, pushing a Game 4.  Tommy Hunter tried again to win in Texas, but Wade Davis pitched a gem to defeat the Rangers 5-2. 

Now, the Rangers are feeling the pressure.  The Rays have momentum, and the advantage of the home crowd for Game 5.  The pitching matchup is a rematch of the Game 1 starters, Cliff Lee vs David Price.  Lee won the first match, but David Price is a Cy Young candidate, and will most likely bounce back. 

The Rangers’ bullpen has been real busy in Games 3 and 4, while the Rays have total depth in the pen.  If Cliff Lee gets into any trouble, the Rangers have a tired bullpen, while the Rays are well-rested and have plenty more arms.  Lefty Derek Holland probably won’t be seen out on the mound tomorrow, as he pitched 4.2 innings combined in Games 3 and 4, four of those innings in Game 4. 

The Rays lineup looked lackluster in Games 1 and 2, while the Rangers offense was surging.  However, this completely turned around in Games 3 and 4.  The Rays offense went on a tear, including Evan Longoria going 3-4 with a homer, and B.J. Upton, Carlos Pena, and Ben Zobrist all collecting two hits.

The Rays have offensive momentum, and have field flexibility.  Several players, including Reid Brignac, Ben Zobrist, and Sean Rodriguez being able to play several positions.  The Rays have offensive depth, and a smart manager in Joe Maddon.

Is home field advantage good or bad for the Rays?  The Rays offense was sluggish in Games 1 and 2 home at the Trop, but they picked up at Texas.  The Rangers were dominant at the Trop, but fell in Texas.  Will the road team win yet again?  Or will the home team win the series for their crowd?

Overall, I’d have to give the Game 5 edge to the Rays.  The Rays have all the momentum, which probably won’t disappear at home.  The Rays offense is going good for them, and David Price is ready to rebound.  The Rays offense will have a tough time versus Cliff Lee, and the game will probably end up being a pitchers duel.  I believe that David Price will come out on top this time.

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In a baseball season frequently dubbed “the year of the pitcher” because of the sudden proliferation of dominant mound performances seemingly helping to shut the door on Major League Baseball’s notorious “steroid era,” we are being treated to an encore presentation in the 2010 postseason.

Only partially through the first round of the Division Series segment of the playoffs, we have already seen Roy Halladay toss the second no-hitter in postseason history in his personal playoff debut. Tim Lincecum offered a similarly dominant debut with a complete game, two-hit shutout with 14 strikeouts.

Cole Hamels clinched Philadelphia’s NLDS sweep of the Reds with a complete game shutout, and Cliff Lee continued to add to his impeccable playoff resume with a third career postseason start in which he struck out at least 10, while walking none, a feat that has only been accomplished by four other pitchers in history.

Jonathan Sanchez pitched a brilliant game in his first taste of the playoffs, and Phil Hughes went seven shutout innings in his postseason debut to clinch the ALDS sweep for the Yankees. The Year of the Pitcher indeed.

As if we hadn’t been treated to enough incredible pitching already, ALDS Game 5, between the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, will feature a rematch of possibly the most tantalizing head-to-head pitching clash we have seen so far.

Two of the top lefties in the game, Cliff Lee and David Price, will reprise their starting roles from Game 1, in the final, decisive game between the Rangers and Rays, determining which team will host the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series.

Game 1 wasn’t quite the pitchers’ duel we expected, as Price was roughed up by the Texas offense in 6.2 innings of his first career playoff start. The flame-throwing 25-year-old lefty had five previous postseason appearances under his belt from 2008, but he had not yet started a playoff game before this series opener.

David was hit hard and often as he allowed five runs on nine hits, two of those being home runs, as his Rays squad dropped the opening game 5-1 at home.

Cliff Lee, on the other hand, continued to add to what has already become a legendary playoff resume with yet another dominant postseason start in the last two years. Lee’s seven-inning performance, in which he allowed one run on five hits and no walks, with 10 strikeouts, pushed him to 5-0 with a 1.52 ERA in 6 career playoff starts.

His 1.52 ERA is the fifth-lowest in MLB history for pitchers with at least five playoff starts, trailing only four hurlers, three of whom are in the Hall of Fame. As previously stated, only seven times has a pitcher struck out at least 10 batters while walking none, and Cliff Lee has done it three times since last October.

The Rangers have precisely the right pitcher on the mound as they attempt to advance to the American League Championship Series for the first time in franchise history. They are fighting for the chance to go on to face the only other team they have ever played in the postseason, the New York Yankees, a team that has eliminated Texas in three playoff series since 1996.

Lee was acquired for occasions such as these, as his calm, cool demeanor projects an air of confidence that the Rangers hope will spur his teammates toward victory. In just a short time, Cliff Lee has crafted a well-deserved reputation as one of baseball’s best big-game pitchers.

During his short stint in Philadelphia last season, the Phillies rode him to Game 6 of the World Series before ultimately falling short to the very same Yankees that the Rangers are hoping to face in the ALCS. One can bet Cliff Lee has considered the shot at redemption against the team that denied him World Series glory in 2009.

For now though, Lee must not look ahead to the Yankees, as he faces a Tampa team who owned the best record in the American League during 2010. In his back pocket though, Lee knows that he just dominated the Rays in the very same venue less than a week ago. Despite that dominant outing in the ALDS opener however, Tampa were actually 3-0 versus Lee in 2010, as they managed 24 hits against him in 23.2 innings.

From the Rays’ perspective, there is at least that flicker of hope to rely on, and the knowledge that, after being down two games to none, momentum has now shifted in their favor. How far that pendulum has swung in Tampa’s direction will much depend on how well Lee can resemble his sterling playoff reputation.

Texas hope that they will see more of the same from the man they brought in to start games such as this one.

From Tampa’s perspective, they too have just the right pitcher heading to the mound for them in this decisive Game 5. All season long, David Price has been among the top pitchers in baseball, and will find his name right near the top of voting for the AL Cy Young Award at the conclusion of the postseason.

Price was 19-6 with a 2.72 ERA in his stellar breakout campaign during his first full year as a Major League hurler, playing a significant role in helping the Rays to the best record in the AL.

Aside from his subpar Game 1 performance against Texas, Price only faced the Rangers one other time in 2010. He earned a no-decision in his lone start against them, pitching six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and five walks, while striking out eight. Though he didn’t walk a batter in Game 1, he’ll have to avoid command issues against a powerful Texas lineup that can thoroughly punish a pitcher if given too many opportunities.

Despite winning the first two games in Tampa, the AL West Champion Rangers were not known as road warriors in 2010, as they only had a 39-42 road record, worst among American League playoff teams. Price knows that the Ranger offense isn’t nearly as explosive on the road, and will look to exploit that weakness in order to lead his team to an ALCS clash with the Yankees.

Texas was the fourth-highest scoring AL team in 2010, but only seventh away from Arlington. Their second-ranked team OPS at home of .800, drops to a seventh-ranked .716 on the road.

In addition to his opponents’ struggles on the road, David Price finds himself exactly where he wants to be come Tuesday evening. During his young career at Tropicana Field, Price is 17-5 with a 2.32 ERA, with a 1.10 WHIP and a .206 batting average against.

He has been even better in 2010, going 9-2 with a 1.96 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and an opponents’ OPS of .589, while striking out 107 in 114.2 innings. To say he is comfortable pitching at the Trop may be an understatement.

With the series tied at two games apiece, each team is feeling confident with their ace headed to the hill in the decisive Game 5 om Tuesday. The prize for victory will be an American League Championship Series date with the Yankees, an opportunity both teams will relish as they each seek the first World Series titles in their respective franchise histories.

Before we look ahead to that however, we should sit back and enjoy a rematch of ALDS Game 1 starters, Cliff Lee and David Price, two men hit that sit right at the top of the list of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball today. Play ball!

Please check out my piece on Roy Halladay’s No-hitter and the 10 Greatest Pitching Performances of MLB Postseason History.

For further coverage of the Texas Rangers’s 2010 postseason run by Scott Gyurina please read my prior articles:

Texas Rangers Firing On All Cylinders Against Tampa Bay Rays

Texas Rangers Vs. Tampa Bay Rays Positional Matchups

Texas Rangers’ Pitching Well-Armed For Deep Playoff Run

Texas Rangers: 10 Reasons They Can Beat the Yankees in the Playoffs

Texas Rangers’ 3 Biggest Question Marks Heading Into October

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The Texas Rangers are looking for their first playoff series win in franchise history, and last week, it looked like they would get it. The Rangers took games one and two in commanding fashion, giving up only one run. Starting pitchers Cliff Lee, and C.J. Wilson dominated both games, leading Rangers fans to think a sweep was in order. The sweep, however would not be so, leading 2-1 in the late innings of game 3, Ron Washington made some questionable decisions with the bullpen, and they could not finish the job, losing 6-2.

In game four, the Rangers could never get going and they were dominated by the Rays 5-2. The bats of star hitters, Michael Young, Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero have been nonexistent this series. The trio, who were expected to lead the Rangers to victory, have been nowhere to be found.

The Rangers missed an opportunity to close out the series at home, and now must return to Tropicana Field to close out the first series win in franchise history.

Here are four reasons why Rangers fans should be confident of a win in game five.

1. The Play of Elvis Andrus.

This is a strange way to start off this list, Andrus does not hit for power, has never played in a post season, and is only a second year starter. How can he possibly be a factor in the Rangers winning in game five? The answer is Andrus has been nothing short of spectacular in this series.

He is batting .316 in this series with though he only has one RBI. He has been a force on the base paths, stealing bases, forcing the Rays to make bad throws, and generating run producing innings. He has done an outstanding job at the lead-off position, working high pitch counts to start the game, and making things happen for the Rangers.

In the field, he has also been outstanding, making spectacular plays that belong on the highlight reel, as well as making numerous plays to save runs.

If he can keep this up in game five, the 22 year old will be a main part of why the Rangers will win their first division series in franchise history.

2. Josh Hamilton Remembers How to Hit.

Josh Hamilton had an MVP regular season. He posted a .359 batting average, with 32 Home Runs, and 100 RBI’s. Hamilton is the main reason for the Rangers first post season birth in eleven years as he’s been fantastic. His play in the field was great, and he has had several game saving plays, both in the field and at the plate.

In the post season, however, Josh Hamilton is no where to be found. If the Rangers are going to win this series, Josh Hamilton will have to play a major role in game five.

Josh Hamilton has put this team on his back and led them to victory before. Trailing 8-2 against the Red Sox on August 13, Hamilton put the Rangers on his back in a way never seen before. He made plays in the field, at the plate, and on the base paths in a game the Rangers would win 10-9.

Hamilton needs to have another take over game if the Rangers are to win game five.

3. Cliff Lee.

Cliff Lee is Mr. October. He has never lost a post-season game, going 5-0 in his short, but very successful career in the playoffs. Last year with the Phillies, Lee won both World Series games that he started, but the Phillies would still lose the series 4-2. Should the Rangers win and face the Yankees, Cliff Lee boasts a 6-1 record with a 2.76 ERA against the Bronx Bombers since 2007.

In the post season, there is no one else you would rather have on the mound than Cliff Lee, and the Rangers are starting him in game five. This is the reason the Rangers traded for Lee in the first place. The Rangers are in a win or go home situation facing elimination, and they will hand the game ball to Cliff Lee and say “put us on your back.”

Cliff Lee beat the Rays and all star pitcher David Price in game one. If Lee can do it again, the Rangers will be headed to their first American League Championship series in franchise history.

4. Cliff Lee, Again.

When you just get down to it, the fate of this game rest solely in the hands of Cliff Lee. If he brings his usual playoff stuff, the Rays can kiss their season goodbye. If however, Lee does not shown up in the post season for the first time ever, the Rangers will be looking at yet another one and done.

Rangers fans should have faith though, because when has Cliff Lee not been ready for a post season game?

The ball is in your hands Cliff Lee.

The Rangers put all of their hope in you.

For questions regarding the article please comment, or send me an E-mail.

Paul Ferguson is an intern at bleacher report.

Follow him on twitter at: @paulwall5

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There is not much going wrong for the New York Yankees, after sweeping the Minnesota Twins easily to advance to the ALCS.

However it happened, this is not the same team who finished off 2010 regular season barely breathing.

Resembling championship form almost overnight has caused rumors to swirl for the sudden upgraded play.

Maybe it’s just pure postseason rush?

Possibly. Imagine getting a step closer to the World Series as a player. It’s inevitable that you acquire some adrenaline from winning.

Also, it could have been a contrived plan to lose the division. Any team without Cliff Lee is a better option and an easier opponent, particularly in the postseason.

Everyone knows the Yankee captain (Derek Jeter) can act to win so why wouldn’t the team lose a few to defend their crown? Looking at the bigger picture it makes sense.

Struggling and after spending months on the DL was not the Andy Pettitte who looked great in Game 2 of the ALDS. It was the southpaw at his best.

Followed that outing was Phil Hughes, who was even better and during the team’s September slump Hughes only came out of the bullpen. Maybe Hughes hasn’t learned to fake being bad as well.

In turn Yankees can blame it on the ‘Hughes Rules’ also known as Hughes’ innings limit. Hughes is 90+ innings over that limit and that was before his ALDS start so it would be presumed that he was not getting pampered months ago. Nice try with that one.

Could it be possible that all the fuss to win the AL East was BS, and the Yankees had no intention to go that route?

It makes sense for any team to try and avoid having to face Lee twice in a five game series because odds are you will lose the short series.

This is not fate but the reality facing the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night, where Lee holds the destiny of the game on the mound.

If Lee were going to get hit, the best team with the odds to beat him would be the Rays because they have done it all season. Not just once this season, but all three times the Rays made the great Lee into a loser. Lee gave up 15 hits, 12 earned runs, two walks and 25 strikeouts in the three losses against Tampa Bay.

In Lee’s six postseason starts he has a 1.52 ERA, given up just 11 hits, eight earned runs, six walks, 43 strikeouts and one home run over 47.1 innings. He still has not lost in October, making the reasons to steer clear more obvious.

Postseason Lee has yet to fail. His last victims were the Rays; in their own house just four games ago. Tuesday night will be different because the Rays are hot again and this will make Lee’s night not an easy one, but the Rays bats will have to be perfect.

Kind of makes sense for the Yankees to lose the division on purpose, even if they never admit to it.

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All season long, Yankee fans have rooted against the Rays.

Especially down the stretch, when both teams were locked in an epic battle for the AL East crown.

There were some epic moments, too. Like Robbie Cano’s homer. Or arguably the best-pitched game by two teams in a game this season, with Sabathia and Price on top of their games. And of course, Derek Jeter’s “hit by pitch” that almost cost the Rays the game.

Yep, plenty to hate about them Rays.

But this is the time to be rooting for them.

What?

Has this kid officially checked in to the mental institution?

No. Well, not yet, anyways.

The Yankees do need to face the Rays. Obviously, it would be an exciting, intra-division matchup, but it goes well beyond that. This is how.

1. Cliff Lee Just Scares Me

As the title of this article should indicate, this is one of the main reasons. This year alone, the lefty is 2-0 against the Bombers with a complete game.

That’s just 2010.

Since 2007, Lee boasts a 6-1 record against the Yankees with a 2.76 ERA. Is it just me, or does anyone else cringe at the thought of seeing this guy twice in a series?

Not to mention how he pitched in the World Series against the Yankees last season.

I’ll stay away from talking about that.

2. Game 2 Won’t Be Any Easier

You know what sucks? Having to face Lee. Know what sucks more? Knowing that CJ Wilson is waiting for you the next day.

A converted reliever, CJ Wilson has been outstanding. Behind Cliff Lee, the Rangers have one of the best one-two punches in MLB. Wilson went 15-8 this season with a 3.35 ERA.

If there were questions as to whether he could produce in the postseason, I think he has answered them already.

In Game 2 of the ALDS, Wilson went above and beyond the call of duty, allowing no runs on just two hits, striking out seven in the process before leaving after 6.1 innings of work.

However, against the Yanks this year, he’s 0-1 with a 5.65 ERA in three starts.

Still, I’d rather not face him.

3. Yankees Record vs. the Rangers

This year overall, the Yankees were 3-5 against Texas.

Not extremely bad, but certainly nowhere near good.

After the Rangers got Lee in mid-July, however, the Yankees were 0-5 against the Rangers. Plus, the Rangers have home-field advantage against the wild-card Yankees, despite New York’s better record.

Does this speak to you? Does to me.

Seems like the Yankees are better off against the Rays.

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