Posted on
10/4/2007 1:20:49 PM
MLB Betting – New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians Postseason Preview
By Eric Williams
The New York Yankees (+175 to win AL Pennant, +275 to win World Series) take on the Cleveland Indians (+400 to win AL Pennant, +800 to win World Series) in a series of two evenly matched teams that have each used the same means to reach the postseason this year – a ton of offense.
Here is a look at each team’s strengths and weaknesses followed by my Free MLB Picks.
Strengths
New York Yankees
The number one strength for the Yankees would be their vast amount of postseason experience. New York also has one of the best offenses in baseball this season and the leagues most consistent ‘big-game’ closer, Mariano Rivera.
Another thing the Yankees have going for them in this series is the mental advantage. New York swept the season series from Cleveland, winning all six games while batting .348 and pounding out 14 home runs.
New York’s pitching staff also mastered the Indians, compiling a collective 2.67 ERA while holding the team to a .228 batting average.
Cleveland Indians
While the Indians won more than their share of games with their potent offense, it was the team’s pitching staff that led the way in the second half of the regular season.
The Indians had a 3.58 ERA after the all-star break with outstanding starters, C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona leading the way with ERAs under 3.00 in the second half. Cleveland’s Jake Westbrook also had a solid 3.44 ERA during the second half.
The Indians also had five players hit at least 20 home runs and another player just two dingers away from reaching that mark.
Weaknesses
New York Yankees
Age would likely be the Yankee’s biggest detriment as much as their experience helps them. Aging starters Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina and Roger Clemens have often pitched like their ages were combined. Mussina, in particular, looked like he has aged a decade just this season alone. Other than Chien Ming-Wang and Mariano Rivera, the Yankees pitching has been suspect nearly all season and could come back to haunt them if their big bats don’t come through against the Indians.
Cleveland Indians
The Indians could have a mental block against the Yankees after losing every game to them this season. The Yankees pounded Carmona, Westbrook, Paul Byrd and closer Joe Borowski during the six meetings, outscoring Cleveland 47-17 in the process.
Cleveland’s best pitcher, Sabathia, may also have a stigma against the Yankees as his 1-7 lifetime record against the Yankees suggests. If Sabathia gets beat, so will the Indians.
Analysis: While the New York Yankees are the clear-cut favorite in the eyes of the odds makers for this series. The reality of the situation is that the Indians stand just as good a chance of winning this series as the Yankees - particularly if they get some decent pitching after their first two starters. In the end though, I think the Yankees will pull this series out by the narrowest of margins, mostly because of their vast postseason experience and the fact that I expect Alex Rodriguez to finally shed his postseason blues.
MLB Free Picks: New York Yankees in four
03:00 PM EST MLB Odds
New York Yankees -210
Cleveland Indians +165
MLB Series Prices
DIVISION SERIES PRICE - Best of Five 2 - 2 - 1
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