THE MATCHUPS

By foxsports
Published

CATCHER

Jorge Posada wasn't tested in the ALDS, but the Rangers can run. Francisco Cervelli figures to catch A.J. Burnett. Texas will go with the duo of Bengie Molina and Matt Treanor, who has caught C.J. Wilson's last four starts. Neither has had a good season. Edge: Yankees

FIRST BASE

Rookie Mitch Moreland has hit homers and drawn walks (teamhigh five vs. the Yankees this year) in limited major league tenure. It was an impressive ALDS performance from Mark Teixeira after last year's miserable postseason. Edge: Yankees

SECOND BASE

Ian Kinsler tore the Rays up in the ALDS, hitting .444, blasting three homers and driving in six runs. Robinson Cano has been the best second baseman in baseball. Best head-to-head matchup of the series. Edge: Yankees

SHORTSTOP

Speedy and sharp defensively, Elvis Andrus - dealt to Texas in the Teixeira trade - was awful in second half but racked up eight ALDS hits. Derek Jeter looked better in the ALDS and hit .385 against Texas during the year. Edge: Yankees

THIRD BASE

Alex Rodriguez didn't do that much in the ALDS (zero extra-base hits), though it's presumably only a matter of time. Career Ranger Michael Young, a six-time All-Star, had another excellent year. Edge: Yankees

LEFT FIELD

David Murphy had a phenomenal second half but didn't play vs. lefties in the ALDS. Julio Borbon or Nelson Cruz could play here vs. CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte, with Jeff Francoeur in right when Cruz is in left. Brett Gardner was probably the Yankees' worst player in the ALDS. Edge: Rangers

CENTER FIELD

Back from his rib injury, probable AL MVP Josh Hamilton made his postseason debut but struggled against the Rays (2-for-18). In his first Yankees postseason, Curtis Granderson had monster ALDS Edge: Rangers

RIGHT FIELD

In eight games vs. the Yankees this year, Cruz has three homers. The only Ranger with a better OPS this year was Hamilton. Nick Swisher was solid vs. Minnesota, but Rangers owned him this season, holding him to 3-for-29 with 12 strikeouts. Edge: Even

DESIGNATED HITTER

Enormous season for Vladimir Guerrero, who has batted .356 (16-for-45) against the Yankees in two past playoff series. Lance Berkman wanted to play Texas and should face righties Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter. Marcus Thames will play vs. lefties Cliff Lee and C.J. Wilson. Edge: Rangers

STARTING PITCHING

A.J. Burnett will rejoin the rotation for one start likely in Game 4, making that contest a potentially major issue. The CC Sabathia-Andy Pettitte-Phil Hughes trifecta is slightly better than Texas' top trio of LeeWilson-Lewis, especially because Lee goes once in first six games. The ace lefty, however, is also set for Game 7. Edge: Even

RELIEF PITCHING

Relief group of Mariano Rivera, Kerry Wood, David Robertson and Boone Logan was good in the ALDS versus the Twins, though Wood was a little shaky. Texas' probable Rookie of the Year closer Neftali Feliz is a flamethrower, with a setup crew including former Mets Darren O'Day and Darren Oliver, plus righty Alexi Ogando and lefty Derek Holland. Edge: Yankees

BENCH

Late in games, Greg Golson will be in right field for defense. Cervelli possibly could catch Burnett. Either Berkman or Thames is a strong pinch-hitting option. Former Met Francoeur and speedy outfielder Borbon lead the Rangers bench, plus either Molina/Treanor and Jorge Cantu. Edge: Even

MANAGER

It's the first postseason as manager for Texas' Ron Washington, whose team has improved its win total each of the past three years. Joe Girardi is 14-4 as a postseason manager. Edge: Yankees

INTANGIBLES

The Rangers are talented but inexperienced, and just played a tough, five-game series. The Yankees rolled over the Twins, are well-rested and have been here before. The Rangers do have Lee, a righty-heavy lineup and homefield advantage. Edge: Even