ALCS Preview

Yankees-Rangers start tonight, here's my breakdown.

Catcher: Jorge Posada vs. Bengie Molina, Advantage: Yankees. Molina had a good DS series and is valuable, but I'll take Posada's bat in any series.
First Base: Mark Teixeira vs. Mitch Moreland, Advantage: Yankees. Not really too close.
Second Base: Robinson Cano vs. Ian Kinsler, Advantage: Yankees. Probably one of the closer match ups but Cano might be the MVP (but probably not) and Kinsler is inconsistant.
Third Base: Alex Rodriguez vs. Michael Young, Advantage: Yankees. Just like in the DS, Young is very good but doesn't quite match up with the likes of Longoria and A-Rod
Short Stop: Derek Jeter vs. Elvis Andrus, Advantage: Yankees. Maybe next year this would go the other way but Jeter walks more so the OBP at the top of the order will help.
Left Field: Brett Gardner vs. Nelson Cruz, Advantage: Rangers. Cruz hits for very good power, and a high average.
Center Field: Curtis Granderson vs. Josh Hamilton, Advantage: Rangers. Hamilton WILL be the MVP.
Right Field: Nick Swisher vs. Jeff Franceour, Advantage: Yankees. Swish had a great DS after a great season.
Designated Hitter: Lance Berkman/Marcus Thames vs. Vald Guerrero, Advantage: Rangers. Guerrero is much better than either of the Yanks options.
Starting Pitching, Advantage: Rangers. Wilson, Lee, Lewis...one of the better rotations in baseball.
Bullpen, Advantage: Even. Yankees didn't really get a chance to use their pen too much while the Rangers did. The pen's will be very important in the best of 7 series.
Closer: Mariano Rivera vs. Neftali Feliz, Advantage: Yankees. It's Mo.
Bench, Advantage: Rangers. Rangers have some guys on their bench who are possible starters (Cantu, Murphy), Yankees bench doesn't get much use.

I don't like to do predictions with the Yankees. While the Yanks might seem to have more in their favor, where the Rangers excel they are very, very good.