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A majority of MLB position players will be at the site of their teams’ Spring Training camps by the end of the day Wednesday, and that certainly includes Albert Pujols. The St. Louis Cardinals and Pujols remain far apart on a potential contract extension, meaning a Jamesean (LeBronian?) season of media hoopla lies ahead.

In the meantime, though, there will be real live baseball, with bats and balls and gloves and (hopefully) other things to talk and think about than Albert Pujols’ contract. Read on for some fun and fascinating tidbits from around baseball.

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Spring training is here and there’s already panic in the Bronx.

The New York Yankees’ offseason will not go down in the history books among the all-time greats.

They missed out on Cliff Lee. Their best acquisition was Rafael Soriano, which isn’t to say that he’s bad, just that the ridiculous contract they gave him is. They alienated Derek Jeter—arguably the most beloved player in franchise history—by handling the negotiations through the media. To add insult to injury, Andy Pettitte decided to call it a career.

The Yankees enter 2011 with a lot of questions that need to be answered if they are going to compete with the revamped Red Sox in the American League East.

One thing that they don’t have to worry about is their ace, CC Sabathia. He has been as reliable as anyone in baseball since the 2007 season.

However, they do have to worry about that opt-out clause in his contract after this year. If Sabathia chooses to exercise it, he will be a free agent, and that will leave the Yankees scrambling to ensure that they don’t lose him.

They do have a great bargaining chip in the minors in Jesus Montero, whom they can dangle to acquire a new ace for 2012. Since the free-agent pitching market next winter is going to be pretty bad, a trade would seem to be their best bet to acquire a new ace.

Here are 10 guys that the Yankees could take a look at if Sabathia decides to bolt from New York after 2011.

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Francisco Liriano may be on the trading block just days after coming to agreement on a one-year, $4.3 million deal for the 2011 season.

The report from Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune may come as a surprise to many, but it may show some forward thinking on behalf of the organization.

After re-signing Carl Pavano to a two-year deal this offseason, the Twins now have six starters for five spots—Francisco Liriano, Carl Pavano, Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn and Brian Duensing.  This group may have some company with top minor league prospect Kyle Gibson all but ready to burst through this coming year.

Liriano, who has a history of elbow problems following his 2006 Tommy John surgery, is still under control of the Twins (with arbitration) through the 2012 season.  With Liriano asking for a three year, $39 million deal, and the Twins payroll already bloated to $120 million, the time may be now to move him as his stock may never be higher.

Liriano is coming off a season where he went 14-10 with a 3.62 ERA over 191.2 innings.

Liriano would be a likely trade target for the New York Yankees after they whiffed on free agency this year after being unable to sign pitcher Cliff Lee.

The Twins would be looking for young arms to restock the farm club, and the Yankees would be able to abide.

The Yankees may be able to offer up a package around top pitching prospects Manny Banuelos and/or Dellin Betances, both of whom were rated by ESPN’s Keith Law as Top 100 Prospects.

Should the Twins move Liriano, General Manager Bill Smith will need to make sure to get more for the 27 year old left-hander than they did when they moved Johan Santana following the 2007 season.

Smith’s trade of Santana essentially turned into Carlos Gomez, who turned into one season of JJ Hardy, and now Jim Hoey, a hard throwing relief pitcher who has done little at the major league level so far.

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Despite opening a brand new outdoor stadium, re-signing their franchise catcher for the better part of the next decade, and winning their division in relatively easy fashion, the Minnesota Twins 2010 season would end the same as in previous years.

Yet another first round elimination at the hands of the New York Yankees would leave Twins fans wondering what it would take to succeed in October.

As the Twins look towards the 2011 season, they have to have concerns about the status of their pitching staff, both starters and relievers. Needless to say, Twins pitchers were at times unpredictable in 2010.

From the perspective of the starting rotation, free agent Carl Pavano is getting the vast majority of the attention when it comes to the state of the staff.

The Minnesota Twins would be wise to retain the services of Carl Pavano in 2011, however, due to his successes in 2010, it is becoming apparent that he might be too expensive for the Twins comfort.

As a result, the Twins will need to maximize the productivity of the pitchers they’ll have in 2011 if the team hopes to build on the success of 2010.

I’d still love to see Carl Pavano wearing a Twins uniform in 2011, but the possibility of that not happening makes it all that more important to pay close attention to some other key pieces of the staff.

No. 1 Starter Will Be: Francisco Liriano

In his first season back from reconstructive elbow surgery, Francisco Liriano definitely showed the pains of adjusting to form.

He finished the 2009 season with a 5-13 record and an ERA just under six, leading many to question whether or not he would be able to regain his pre-surgery confidence as the Twins entered the 2010 season. 

Liriano would prove his critics wrong, however, finishing the 2010 season with a 14-10 record and a 3.62 ERA. With the current uncertainty of Carl Pavano’s return to the rotation,  it’s a safe bet that the Twins will count on Liriano to be their opening day starter in 2011.

Should Be: Carl Pavano

Since Pavano joined the Twins in late 2009, he has a combined 22-15 record with a 3.97 ERA. That stability would go a long way in helping the franchise get back to the playoffs.

As I’ve already said, I hope I can see Pavano at Target Field in 2011. I just don’t want to see the Twins get cornered into offering a long term contract to him and ending up paying $10-13 million in a third or fourth year.

Pavano would be 38 years old, in a third year of a new deal, and it’s a safe bet that the productivity will have declined by that point.

That said, Pavano would be a great veteran option as a No. 1 starter, and in doing so, would take at least some pressure off of Liriano, who seems to get worked up easily in high pressure situations.

It does appear that Pavano would like to stay within the organization, but the amount of years the Twins are willing to offer seems to be a sticking point.

The Washington Nationals are said to have offered Pavano 3 years for $33 million, which might prove too much for him to walk away from.

No. 2 Starter Will Be: Scott Baker

For the past few seasons, Scott Baker has been holding down the opening day starter role for the Twins. While his numbers might not reflect that of a true staff “ace,” his productivity has helped get the Twins to where they are today.

Over the past two seasons, Baker has a 27-18 record with an ERA just under 4.50. Baker’s numbers overall have been solid, but critics have been quick to point out that he doesn’t have dominating stuff and relies too much on batters making contact to get them out.

Still, Baker is a moderately consistent pitcher who can provide a solid amount of innings for the Twins if he’s able to avoid giving up that one big inning as he’s done many times in the past.

Should Be: Francisco Liriano

As noted in the discussion of the number one starter spot, Liriano will likely end up being the ace of the staff if Carl Pavano ends up elsewhere as a result of free agency.

However if the Twins do end up retaining Pavano, Liriano would fit much better in the number two spot as he sometimes doesn’t appear to be completely comfortable being THE guy in the Twins rotation.

No. 3 Starter Will Be: Brian Duensing

When the 2010 season started, Brian Duensing was eating up innings as a member of the Twins’ bullpen. By season’s end, Duensing was one of the most consistent pitchers and had by all accounts solidified his permanent place in the starting rotation.

Duensing went 7-3 with an ERA of 3.44 as a starter in 2010, providing stability when starters Kevin Slowey and Nick Blackburn experienced their own struggles. He ended his season with a painful division series loss to the Yankees, but will still be relied upon for mid-rotation stability next season.

Should Be: Brian Duensing

Duensing belongs in and deserves this spot in the middle of the rotation. His overall consistency in a partial season as a starter could lead to great things when he has a full season starting at the major league level.

No. 4 Starter Will Be: Nick Blackburn

Definition: Enigma (noun):a person of puzzling or contradictory character

“Enigma” is perhaps the best way to describe Nick Blackburn last season. Blackburn got off to an impressive start to the 2010 season, silencing many critics who had thought his newly signed four year $14 million contract wasn’t deserved.

He would stumble however, leaving the team for a period of time for personal reasons, and ultimately being removed from the starting rotation and spending time in both the minor leagues and the Twins bullpen in the fall.

If Blackburn can gain confidence in his pitches, he can be the type of pitcher that the Twins thought he’d be when they gave him a contract extension, he will fit just fine in the rotation. If not, Twins GM will need to take a close look at other options available.

Should Be: Scott Baker

In the event that Pavano, Liriano and Duensing will hold up the front end of the rotation this season, Baker would be a solid No. 4 option to hold up the back end. He’s made his fair share of starts as the team’s top pitcher, but at this point he may be better suited to add depth to the second half of the rotation.

No. 5 Starter Will Be: Kevin Slowey

Kevin Slowey’s best season as a Twin came in 2010, as he went 13-6 with a 4.46 ERA in 28 starts. His talent hasn’t been in question, and many think he has the pitches to last in this league.

What he may not have is the health to stay in the league. Slowey has made trips to the disabled list three times in the last three years, an alarming trend considering he is only 26 years old.

All indications are that the tricep injury that put Slowey on the DL last August has healed and that he will be ready to go when pitchers and catchers report in February. Still, Slowey’s durability is something that has to be watched closely.

Should Be: Kyle Gibson

Kyle Gibson started the 2010 season with the organization’s Single-A team, but solid performances throughout the summer earned him a spot in the rotation at Triple-A Rochester by season’s end.

Between the clubs Gibson pitched in last season, he earned himself an 11-6 record in 26 starts. He struck out more than seven batters per nine innings while walking two per nine.

If Pavano does end up leaving for Washington or Slowey’s health does fail him as it could seemingly do at any time, it’s quite possible that Gibson will be called upon to fill a spot in the rotation.

Assuming the rest of the rotation holds up, Gibson’s placement in the rotation would force Nick Blackburn to the Twins’ bullpen, where he could potentially help fill existing holes.

It’s not a completely unfathomable situation since Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has made it clear that Duensing won’t be back in the bullpen.

The organization doesn’t want to put Gibson in the bullpen since he’s the best starting talent that the Twins have had in their farm system in a long time, and they’d like him to be starting for the Twins as soon as possible.

Note: Projected starting rotation based on Minnesota Twins current depth chart

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In 2001, the Minnesota Twins (along with the Montreal Expos) were threatened to be contracted from Major League Baseball.

Take a look at where this team has come in the time since.

Rather than folding like a cheap suit, the Twins have risen back to becoming a potent catalyst in the sport in the last decade.

The 2010 season was a special year for the Twins, as highly anticipated Target Field opened for business.

The Twins took the division and ran away with it in September, winning 94 games and finishing six ahead of the hated White Sox.

Fans reached a seemingly all-time high in happiness, and merchandise and ticket sales were through the roof.

There are several factors on why they have been the team to beat in recent history, and why they will continue this trend in the 2011 season. 

This might be shocking to some, but I don’t honestly see the Twins losing a step to the rest of the division by giving up some of their better-known players such as Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier and J.J. Hardy (and possibly Carl Pavano, Orlando Hudson and Jim Thome, as well). 

The offseason proceeding the 2011 season has been one of the most busy in recent history. Teams are shipping their superstars for up-and-coming prospects, and vice versa.

There has been no lack of signings in the AL Central, as even the Twins have acquired highly-touted Japanese shortstop Nishioka Tsuyoshi.

The Chicago White Sox perhaps made the largest move, acquiring slugger Adam Dunn from the Washington Nationals. They have also reached a deal with former Twin reliever Jesse Crain.

The Detroit Tigers signed catcher Victor Martinez, and in doing so acquired one of the most well-rounded at the position.

The Cleveland Indians have signed just about everybody that they needed to during this free agency period.

The Kansas City Royals have gotten rid of long-time outfielder David DeJesus and 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke just signed with the Brewers last night. On the flip side, they have agreed to two solid deals with former 26-year Atlanta Braves in Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francoeur.

So why do I still believe in the Twins having a shot?

First Off, They Have the Best Farm System In All of Baseball

If you name a current Minnesota Twin, their is a decent chance that he came up with the team. Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer, Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, Denard Span, Danny Valencia, and Scott Baker are just a handful of many who have called the Twins organization home since their beginnings.

In all honesty, I could go all day naming players on other squads who called the Minnesota farm system home first. Johan Santana, Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett, David Ortiz, Torii Hunter and A.J. Pierzynski are just a few current pros who highlight the many who were brought up by Ron Gardenhire’s club.

What does this have to do this year’s team though?

Easy; it just means that the Twins have a greater chance to develop players like Ben Revere and Brian Duensing into the major leaguers that they have aspired to be since they were toddlers.

This is of course based on the fact that new talent develops, and in Minnesota there isn’t much doubt that it will indeed happen.

Still want to argue with that “best farm system in all of baseball” comment? I didn’t think so.

Secondly, They Time and Time Again Destroy the Division Competition

The Minnesota Twins have dominated the American League Central Division in the last decade.

In that time they have had just one losing campaign, in 2007. In that same span the Royals have had nine, the Indians and Tigers with six apiece, and the White Sox two.

As previously stated, they have won six division titles: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2010 (don’t forget that in 2008 the White Sox needed 163 games to eliminate Minnesota).

The White Sox and Indians each have a pair of titles in that same period, and the Tigers and Royals have been empty-handed (although the Tigers did have a World Series appearance in 2006).

The Twins have been more successful than most of the league in the last 10 years. They have won 888 games in this period, totalling more victories than the rest of their divisional foes: the White Sox had 850; the Indians put up 795; the Tigers totalled 731; and the lowly Royals have won just 662.

Why isn’t there a reason to believe they can win it in 2011?

The White Sox always seem to be better on paper than the Twins, but Minnesota always knows how to beat the White Sox, especially later in the season.

Finally, the Twins Play Their Best Baseball from July On

Year in and year out the Twins play their way seemingly out of the division race by May, only to rise up and defeat the competition in the final 90 games or so.

Whether they were pitching back-to-back-to-back complete game shutouts (as they did a few years back against the Royals), or sweeping the White Sox in September, I as a Twins fan expect a burst like that every year.

With the team developing players like no one else, beating the competition better than almost everyone, and playing flawless ball from July on, it seems no one in the division will stop the Minnesota Twins.

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The Boston Red Sox effectively dominated the Winter Meetings, landing both Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. 

Their lineup is loaded, and have a deep rotation looking to have a bounce-back year in 2011.  The Yankees, meanwhile have stood steadfast, and have yet to make a significant move besides re-signing Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.

With the AL East’s balance of power currently shifted in Boston’s favor, the Yankees will no doubt strike back, resuming baseball’s Cold War.  Here are 10 possible moves the Yankees can make to turn back the tide:

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Here lie your 2010 Minnesota Twins. April 5, 2010-October 9, 2010.

In a game that seemed inevitable, the Twins once again were swept out of the playoffs by the New York Yankees. This is the 12th straight home playoff loss for a franchise which used to flourish come October. The second longest such streak in history. Behind only the Boston Red Sox from 1980-1995 which lost 14 straight. I myself was at Target Field for both home games in the playoffs (and every playoff game since 2004). The atmosphere was great, and the crowd was optimistic for our chances against Derek Jeter and the hated Yanks. This was supposed to be our year. We were no longer the “little Twinks” who beat you with small ball and luck. We were a team sporting a new stadium, two MVP’s in the lineup and a former All-Star batting ninth. We had three, count them three closers in our bullpen with over 20 saves on the year. We had Jim Thome who hits baseballs farther then Happy Gilmore could hit a drive. We were primed for the postseason…

That’s until we got a look at those sexy pinstripes. As Christopher Walken so neatly put it in Catch Me if you Can: “Do you know why the Yankees always win the World Series? It’s because the other team can’t stop looking at the pinstripes.” And I think that’s what is happening here. The Twins were the best team in baseball since June turned over to July. Mauer had hit .379, Thome was putting dents in the flag pole in right field and the “Pavstache” was making girls drool all over the country. The Twins ran away from the White Sox and clinched the division earlier then any other team in baseball. And none of it made a difference once the Yankees showed up to Target Field last Wednesday.

Game 1 was the pivotal game here. Liriano was pitching great through five innings and had a 3-0 lead (thank you Michael Cuddyer). Then the wheels fell off. After giving up two runs already in the sixth, there were two men on for Curtis Granderson. Gardy decided to let Liriano pitch to Granderson. A triple later and the score was 4-3. I don’t blame Gardy to leave Liriano in at that point. Granderson was atrocious against lefties all season (to the tune of .234 on the season). Mijares could have come in and gotten him out, but I’m siding with Gardy on this one. Liriano is your best pitcher and best bet to get Granderson.

The game was lost in the next half inning however. The Twins loaded the bases and actually scored a run with a bases loaded walk. The next batter was retired, and the Twins left three men on base (a recurring theme in the three games). Of course, Crain comes in and leaves a hanging slider to Tex and the game is 6-4. Once No. 42 came trotting out the pen for the Yanks, game over.

Game 2 was a must win for the Twins. I wont spend much time on this because it is a week ago already. Pettitte was great. Berkman was great. Twins once again had no clutch hitting. And shockingly they lose 5-2. Ho hum. Better luck next year. Twins were not going to waltz into Yankee Stadium and win two games, then come home and win Game 5. And they didn’t. After a 6-1 loss to Phil Hughes, the season, which had such high hopes, was over.

Over the next week or so, I will go over what I think the Twins should do with their impending free agents, and who they might be able to acquire in free agency or through trades. This will be an interesting offseason, and the 2011 team will look quite different then the inaugural Target Field team.

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Statistics can prove anything, but more often than not, they mean nothing. I enjoy bits of trivia, not because I want to win a bet with my friends, but because they can shed light on trends and highlight new things. As a baseball fan and sports junkie, I love hearing something and saying, “Wow, I never knew that.”

Keeping that in mind, here are a collection of stats, facts, and notes about your American League playoff teams, thanks to Elias Sports Bureau, SABR, press officers, and media reps. Enjoy the information overload.

New York Yankees

Sweep Dreams

The Yankees enter postseason play as a Wild Card team for the fourth time (also 1995, 1997 and 2007), but they have never advanced to the ALCS when entering the playoffs in this fashion. However, if they sweep the Twins, it is pretty good news for Joe Girardi’s men because the Yanks have won the World Series each of the three times they have swept in the division series.

The Men With the Golden Gloves

The Yankees led the majors with a .988 fielding pct., their best mark ever for a season. 2B Robinson Cano (.996) and SS Derek Jeter (.989) became the first set of teammates to finish a season as the fielding leaders at SS and 2B (in either league) since Omar Vizquel/Roberto Alomar for Cleveland in 2001, and the first Yankees to accomplish the feat since Phil Rizzuto/Jerry Coleman in 1949.

The Yankees’ primary infielders in 2010 (Teixeira, Cano, Jeter, Rodriguez) combined for a .994 fielding percentage. Their 27 combined errors were the fewest or any Major League team at those positions.

Home Field Advantage

The Yankees became the second team among baseball’s current 30 franchises, to advance to the postseason in each of the first two seasons in their current stadium, joining Atlanta (1997-98 at Turner Field).

Rising to the Occasion

Derek Jeter has reached base safely via hit, walk or hit by pitch in 48 of 53 career Division Series games, and 122 of his all-time record 138 career postseason contests.

Slap Happy

Lance Berkman owns a .321 (34-for-106) career postseason batting average, the fourth-highest mark among all active players, and he has hit safely in 11 of his 12 career postseason games, including 10 straight from Game 3 of the 2001 NLDS through Game 4 of the 2004 NLCS.

Backstop Longevity

According to Elias, Jorge Posada is the first player to catch at least one game with the same team in 16 straight seasons, since Johnny Bench with Cincinnati (17 consecutive seasons, 1967-83).

Minnesota Twins

Starting off on the Right Foot

Manager Ron Gardenhire is the first manager to guide his team into the postseason in six of his first nine seasons as a Major League Manager. Sparky Anderson and Earl Weaver did it in five of their first eight seasons.

New Ballpark, New Fortunes?

The Twins are the 13th team to go to the playoffs in their first year in a new ballpark. They join the 2009 and 1923 Yankees, 2006 Cardinals, 2000 Giants, 1997 Braves, 1995 Rockies, 1989 Blue Jays, 1970 Pirates and Reds, 1912 Red Sox, 1911 Giants, and 1909 Pirates.

Elite Club

Francisco Liriano is making his first career postseason start Wednesday night, and he becomes the fourth different Twins pitcher to make a Game 1 start in the ALDS following Brad Radke, Santana three times, and Brian Duensing. Speaking of Liriano, he did not allow a home run in 96.1 consecutive innings pitched from May 20-Aug.18. It was the second-longest streak in Twins history, behind Bert Blyleven’s 99.0 innings from 1974-1975.

Tampa Bay Rays

A Bizarre Playoff Rule Change?

On Monday the American League approved a change to the Tropicana Field ground rules, effective for the 2010 postseason. Under the new rule, a batted ball that strikes either of the two upper catwalks, lights or suspended objects above fair territory, is a dead ball (and no pitch). Previously, balls that struck the upper catwalks, lights or suspended objects above fairground, were in play.

SI Stardom

David Price is featured on the cover of today’s playoff issue of Sports Illustrated. He is the third Ray (first by himself), to be featured on the magazine’s cover – Carl Crawford was on the cover as a cartoon with the Yankees on May 26, 2008, and Rocco Baldelli shared the cover with Carlos Ruiz of the Phillies on November 3, 2008.

Statistically Speaking

The Rays became the second Major League team since 1900 to score 800 runs (802) while hitting .250 or less (.247). The other team was the 1991 Tigers (.247, 87 runs). In addition, the Rays 1,292 strikeouts were the most ever by an AL or NL team that advanced to the postseason. Want more junk? How about the fact that the Rays were the only Major League team in 2010 to have five pitchers qualify for the ERA title (minimum 162 IP).

Crawford is That Good

No player in the modern era since 1900 has matched his combination of homers (19), triples (13), batting average (.307) and stolen bases (47).

Rookie Dropping the Signs

Rookie John Jaso batted leadoff in 45 games, 41 as catcher. According to Baseball Reference, only two players in history have started as many games catching and batting leadoff in one season since 1901. Jason Kendall and Rollie Hemsley are the others.

Pena’s Mendoza Line Power

Carlos Pena’s .196 average was lowest among all hitters who qualified for the batting title in 2010. It was the lowest by a player since Rob Deer hit .179 in 1991 for Detroit. His 28 homers rank third all time among players who hit under .200 in a season, joining Mark McGwire (.187/29 in 2001) and Mark Reynolds (.198/32 in 2010.)

Texas Rangers

Winner, Winner, Clinching Dinner

Texas clinched the division in its 154th game of 2010, the earliest that the Rangers have ever won a division title or sealed a playoff spot. The Rangers won the division by a club-record nine games, one game better than the previous largest margin from 1999.

A Long, Long Wait

Michael Young is appearing in his first postseason in his 10th year in the major league. He has appeared in 1,508 career regular season games, second most of any active player without a playoff appearance. The leader is Randy Winn (1,717 games) for those who care.

A First Time For Everything

Today’s game was the Rangers first postseason game on turf, in a dome, or in the daytime. It was also their first postseason game anywhere other than old Yankee Stadium or Rangers Ballpark, and it was the first time the opposing managers were anyone other than Johnny Oates and Joe Torre.

Wanted: Experienced Help

There are five Rangers who have appeared previously in postseason play. Darren Oliver is the only one to do it with the Rangers, when he appeared in the 1996 ALDS. He joins Jeff Francoeur (2005, Braves); Vlad Guerrero (2004, ’05, ’07, ’08, and ’09, Angels); Cliff Lee (2009, Phillies); and Bengie Molina (2002, ’04, ’05, Angels).

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Good evening folks and welcome to B/R’s live blog coverage of Game 1 of the ALDS clash between the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins. 

The Twins enter the playoffs in the unusual position of having home field advantage, but still widely being viewed as the underdogs in this divisional playoff series. 

We aren’t going to keep you long, and as we get closer to the first pitch, we’ll be bringing you plenty of updates on stats, big plays and of course, spot-on observations regarding what you may or may not be watching. 

Let’s get started, shall we?

Feel free to comment, ask questions, or tell me I’m an idiot in the comment section.

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In a rematch of one of last year’s American League Division Series’, the Twins and Yankees will square off tonight at Target Field in what is clearly a David v. Goliath battle.  Many have already placed the Bombers in the American League Championship Series either facing the Texas Rangers or Tampa Bay Rays.  However, fans should be mindful that anything can happen in the playoffs and the Yankees of this year are not as stable as the Yankees of last year. 

Rather than striving for home-field advantage manager Joe Girardi decided to rest some of his starters and settled for the Wild Card, giving the Twins an upper hand of which they should take advantage.  The Yankees’ big bats are clearly more potent at home, where Yankee Stadium allows for doubles in most parks to carry into the bleachers.  At Target Field, Minnesota can rely on their gap hitters and base-to-base hitting rather than having to compete with the long ball.  Besides home-field, the Twins as a team also have some pitching and hitting that could provide a threat against New York as they take the field tonight.

The Starting Rotation

The Twins may not have the star quality big-name pitching that the Yankees have, but they do have pitchers that can keep them in the game.  It all begins with 2010 Comeback Player of the Year Francisco Liriano, who unlike last year, is healthy and showing the pitching arsenal that he demonstrated back in 2006 when he looked like the future ace of the Minnesota staff. 

With Alex Rodriguez struggling against lefties for the majority of the season and breakout player Robinson Cano fairing much better against right-handers this season, the rest of the Yankees lineup will have to step up against the young fire-baller.   New York shouldn’t expect too much out of Curtis Granderson or Brett Gardner with both young outfielders batting below 250 against left-handers for the season.  Liriano only allowed 2 runs earlier this season as the Twins lost 3-2 on a Nick Swisher home run late in the game.

Carl Pavano, a former Yankee, didn’t face the Bombers early in the season, but in his two starts since leaving the Yankees Pavano has pitched admirably, only allowing 4 runs in 13 innings to the tune of 2.70 ERA.  The fact that Pavano is at home rather than at Yankee Stadium should help his cause in limiting the Yankees and generating ground balls at a high rate as he has done all season.  Pavano pitched well last postseason against the Yankees and many fans forget that since the Yankees won the game.  It may be different this time around if Andy Pettitte isn’t as sharp as last year.

Brian Duensing, the Game 3 starter is the true definition of a ground ball pitcher.  For Duensing to limit the Yankees the double play will have to be key and he will need to keep the ball down.  If there is anyone that could keep the ball in the park it’s Duensing and the Yankees should be looking to capitalize early on the young lefties fastball or else they could fall pray to his off-speed pitches as the game goes on. 

The fact that the Twins have two left-handers going against New York this series gives them a real shot at limiting the Yankees run support with Yankees slugger Robinson Cano feasting against right-handed pitching this season.

The Lineup

The lineup for the Twins is much stronger last year and much deeper.  Although they don’t have Justin Morneau for the playoffs as they didn’t last year, they still have some hitters that can do some damage.  Unlike the Yankees, the Twins are gap hitters rather than home run hitters,  Last years’ ALDS, the Yankees did not have to face Jim Thome, Orlando Hudson, and J.J. Hardy.  Instead, they faced Orlando Cabrera, Jose Morales and Nick Punto. 

Although the names may be not as recognizable as A-Rod and Jeter, the difference in offensive ability is tremendous.  More importantly, this year, Minnesota outfielder, Delmon Young has finally channeled his god given talent and become a major run producer, driving in over 100 RBIs for the first time in his career.  With little known Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer providing support, the Twins bats aren’t as bad as some may think.

Then of course there is catcher Joe Mauer, the one recognizable Twin who even the average baseball fan will recognize.  Once again Mauer had an All-Star season and despite a drop in his power numbers is one of the best hitters in baseball.  With him behind the plate, the Twins know they will need their leader to step up and take control of this series for the Twins to have any chance versus New York.

The Bullpen

The advantage for Minnesota is clearly the quality depth of their bullpen.  The Yankees will always be able to throw out Mariano Rivera in the 9th and likely eliminate any chance the Twins had of winning, but the rest of the Yankees bullpen is still an uncertainty after an up and down season for most of their relief pitchers.  Joba Chamberlain and David Robertson and a career year out of Boone Logan, who was a perennial 5 ERA pitcher with the White Sox and Braves for the past 4 years.  Kerry Wood, who has had a sparkling ERA has helped spark the Yankees bullpen down the stretch, but his penchant for walking batters when getting behind in the count will be of a major concern in the playoffs and the Twins have opportunistic hitters.

The Twins bullpen has quality spread throughout, but is led by the top 5 of Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier, Brian Fuentes, Jon Rauch, and Matt Capps.  Fuentes, Rauch, and Capps have all been closers at some point in their career, while the latter two have succeeded more recently.  Fuentes has been somewhat erratic against New York, but his lefty pitching will be counted on in the 7th and 8th against Cano, Granderson, and Rodriguez.  Both Crain and Guerrier are the definition of solid relief pitchers.  Neither are going to blow hitters away, but they will get outs when their team needs them.  With a lot of experience and talent the bullpen gives Ron Gardenhire the option to mix and match when in the late innings and if any of the games go to extra innings. 

The Yankees Shortcomings

New York’s shortcomings, may be the biggest reason Minnesota has an opportunity to upset the defending champions.  The “Core 4” haven’t been producing as the have in the past and age may have finally taken its toll.  With Andy Pettitte coming off both groin and back injuries, he will be starting Game 2 after only 4 innings of 9 hit ball in his last outing against a Red Sox team that was fielding mostly minor leaguers.  The rust could easily show itself and put the Yankees behind the 8-ball early in Game 2.  

Derek Jeter has hit more like a bottom of the lineup hitter than a lead-off hitter and hit into more double plays than one could fathom for the future Hall-of-Famer.   Jorge Posada has clearly shown decline both offensively and defensively, with a significant difference hitting at home than on the road.  In September, even Rivera showed some signs of not being at his best, even blowing a few saves, However, out of all of the Yankees heading into the postseason he is still the least likely to make any mistakes. 

Third starter, Phil Hughes will experiencing his first playoff start and has been underwhelming in the second half of the season after putting up Cy Young numbers in the first half.  With average showings against Tampa Bay in his last 2 starts Hughes will need to revert to his first half self in order for New York to avoid a close Game 3.

Possibly the most vital shortcoming could be the Yankees lack of rotation depth, meaning C.C. Sabathia will once again go on 3 days rest.  Although Sabathia was able to do so last year, with success, there is no telling if he could do so again.  Furthermore, he will be pitching at Yankee Stadium in a possible Game 4 and at less than his best that could be dangerous.  If Sabathia begins to wear down and leaves the ball up in the strike zone, Minnesota is exactly the type of team that could capitalize.  Sabathia is hittable if he doesn’t have his best stuff as the Orioles and Rays showed in 3 out of his last 5 games pitched.

*The Yankees lineup still has significantly better talent, but as Yankees’ fans can attest to, the same energy from last year is lacking and players have not been playing up to their career levels.  Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and Jorge Posada are all having down years by their standards and new acquisitions outfielder Curtis Granderson and DH Lance Berkman have had years that have led many Yankees fans to question why they were acquired and Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui were allowed to leave via free agency. 

The three Yankees having good to excellent career years, Brett Gardner, Nick Swisher, and Robinson Cano will need to play well.  If Gardner can’t get on base and make his speed a factor, the Yankees will not be nearly as much of a threat as if he can.  Swisher and Cano will need to continue to take advantage of balls up in the strike zone and not look to crush the ball on every pitch.

Although it hasn’t been mentioned as of yet, the most significant, but least noted advantage Minnesota has is at the managerial position.  Although the Yankees won the World Series last year with Girardi, it can easily be stated that they won in spite of him rather than because of him.  Girardi has made more than his fair share of questionable calls with his bullpen and his lineup and managed “not to lose” rather than to win.  Twins fans can breathe easy with Ron Gardenhire at the helm and although this may be a side-note to average fans it could be the difference if the series advances to a Game 5.

If Minnesota does not win one of the first two games the Yankees should eliminate them by Game 4.  However, if they can one of those games a Game 5 at Target Field is not out of the realm of possibility.  The fact that the Yankees are entering the playoffs with only 10 wins in their last 25 games gives the Twins momentum heading into the playoffs.  With a solid, albeit unspectacular rotation, opportunistic gap-to-gap hitters, a deep bullpen, and the Yankees shortcoming the Twinkies could surprise the nation and move on to the ALCS.  Would I bet on it?  Probably not. But would I be surprised?  Not one bit.

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