Cleveland/N.Y. Yankees playoff -- who do you like?

[Auggie]

Nothing I'd like better than to see Cleveland advance. However a close examination of the 2007 season series suggests a different scenario.

The two teams met only six times in 2007, and New York won them all. Telling stats:

Runs Scored: N.Y. 49, CLE 17

Batting Average: N.Y. .348, CLE .228

Slugging%: N.Y. .588, CLE 345

On Base% N.Y. .396, CLE .290

Strikeouts: N.Y. 21, CLE 45

Walks: N.Y.18, CLE 13

Home Runs: N.Y. 14, CLE 4

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Individual hitting:

Peralta: .045
Michaels: .188
Garko: .150
Sizemore: .182
Blake: .200
Martinez: .337
Hafner: .667 (three games)

Giambi: .500
Jeter: .400
Abreu: .440
A-Rod: .330
Cano: .304
Damon: .316
Posada: .300 (three games)
Matsui: .417 (three games)
Molina: .385 (three games)

The first series in April played in New York saw match-ups of Brian Westbrook vs Chase Wright (Westbrook gave up 8 runs in 1.2 innings), Jeremy Sowers (six runs 2.2 innings) vs. Kei Igawa, and Fausto Carmona vs Darrell Rasner. Carmona held the Yankees to 2 runs in 6 innings, but closer Joe Borowski, in a non-save situation, lost the game by giving up 6 runs in the bottom of the ninth.

They met again in early August and New York continued their dominance -- Carmona (4 runs, 7 innings) vs. Phil Hughes, Paul Byrd (7 runs, 2 innings) vs. Mark Mussina and Westbrook vs. Andy Pettitte. Westbrook had a better outing here, giving up 4 runs in 7 innings, but Cleveland lost 5-3.

New York didn't face C.C. Sabathia in either of these series. But Cleveland didn't face Chien-Ming Wang either (In 2006 Cleveland batted .327 against Wang in 49 at bats, but 24 of those -- representing eight hits -- are from players no longer with Cleveland).
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Following the Yankees series sweep on August 14th, Cleveland began their run for the division finishing August 12-4 (17-11 overall) and going 19-7 through the end of year -- 31-18. In the same period N.Y. went 28-17

Better numbers for Cleveland, but it won't help them here. This team goes brain-dead against New York. I'll pick Yankees in four. New York plays smarter and has greater patience at the plate (Cleveland batters have shown a tendency to underachieve in crucial games). N.Y. is a little deeper on the bench and bullpen. Joe Torre will out-manage Eric Wedge.

But I really hope I'm wrong.

[El Supremo]

1. Looks like I'll have to wait for the Red Sox to beat them.

I'd rather watch that series anyway.

But who knows? How about a Rockies/Yankees World Series? If my Rox beat them, I'd be in heaven!

[MissMillie]

5. now that's a scenario I'm happy to see (Sox over Cleveland)

:thumbsup:

[WannaBeGrumpy]

2. Cleveland sucks...

Go yankees! i actually hate both teams...

[Auggie]

3. Yeah, they sucked their way into the best record in baseball.

[Gemini Cat]

4. Cleveland nt

[cherokeeprogressive]

6. I want ARod to go 0'fer and the Yanks to get swept.

Then I want ARod to come wear Dodger Blue. No way will he ever step onto the field at Yankee Stadium after that.

ARod 0-13 with 10 strikeouts. I'll still welcome him with open arms as will most every other Dodger fan.