New York Yankees

[Cannon Shell]

Cleveland is a dangerous team that looks a lot like the Tigers of last year. Have a strong lineup, good defense, especially in the outfield when Sizemore and Lofton are playing together, dangerous power guy in the middle of the lineup in Hafner and a really clutch catcher in Martinez (though he is not a good defensive catcher and has been hurt). They have two very good starters and a pretty good bullpen with a shaky closer.

LA seems to banged up (Vlad especially) to make a strong run. They do have very strong top of the rotation in Lackey, Escobar and Weaver. If they can move Saunders to the bullpen that would help them quite a bit as they have been struggling with the exception of Krod. But they struggle to score and without a healthy Vlad the struggle will not be any easier.

NYY have been winning with the big lineup. Arod has been unbelievable and most of the lineup has been playing well including Cano and Posada. The starters stilll are shaky and they need Wang to come through. Pettite has always been a tough pitcher but Clemens and Mussina are really shaky and Hughes has not been sharp. The bullpen has been much better since the elimination of Proctor and emergence of Joba. Interesting to see if they adjust the Joba rules in an important spot. Mariano is clutch as always though he is not nearly as untouchable as he once was.

BoSox have playoff tested pitching staff and top closer. Okjima being hurt does not help and they need big innings from Gagne. If Ortiz and Ramirez are healthy enough to play everyday, the lineup will be just fine. If JD Drew ever wakes up out of his decade long slumber, the Sox will be tough to beat.


Cannon Shell picks

BoSox over LA 3-1
Cleveland over Yankees 3-2

BoSox over Cleveland 4-2