MLB: 3 Reasons the Yankees Won’t Win the World Series and 3 Reasons They Will
July 26, 2012 · Todd McElwee · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
If you’re like me you just cannot wait for the endless fawning over No. 2 Derek Jeter—No. 2 and his New York Yankees this October—during the six hours vacuums of time known as Major League Baseball playoff games.
The Bronx Bombers make a habit of appearing in the World Series—40 trips in all—but don’t always come away with the major sport’s ugliest piece of championship hardware: the Commissioner’s Trophy. (You may remember it as the trophy George Costanza drags around the parking lot in his 1990’s Buick while trying to get fired).
Here are three reasons (because really, who has time for five) the Yankees won’t win their 28th World Series, as well as three reasons why they will.
Three Reasons Against
# 3 Rafael Soriano
Filling in for Marino Rivera, Soriano has been solid, if not stellar, with 26 saves, a 2-0 record and 1.58 ERA in 43 games.
Unfortunately, for those who bleed pinstripes, Soriano cannot fill the Hammer of God’s shoes when it comes to the postseason, where he is 0-1 with a 4.70 ERA. He’s also served up three home runs in just 7.2 innings of work. Rivera has allowed two round trippers in 141 postseason innings.
Sure, Soriano’s sample size is limited, but so far the results are pedestrian at best.
After years of woefully bowing at New York’s feet come playoff time, the Rangers took it to the Yankees in the 2010 ALCS. Statistically and standings-wise, the clubs are neck and neck this season.
However, Texas did take two of three from New York back in April in Arlington.
#1 Derek Jeter
Sacrilege!
Jeter’s postseason heroics will be passed along from father to son and probably for no longer, because baseball is a dying sport.
Anyways, the Captain has performed like one during his past three postseason series, hitting a meager .256 with just four RBI, no home runs and 18 strikeouts. Jeter hasn’t provided a postseason bomb since the 2009 American League Championship Series.
Three Reasons For
#3 Home Runs
As of July 26, New York paced MLB with 153 home runs, 12 clear of second place Toronto and 31 ahead of Baltimore. Since 2000, eight of the 12 World Series champions have finished within the Top-10 in home runs. In 2009, the Yankees blasted a league-best 244 bombs en route to a title.
#2 Andy Pettitte
Regardless of what he’s ingesting, Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a money playoff hurler. His 19 postseason wins represent the history.
Since rejoining the Yankees in 2007, he’s 5-1 in the postseason with a sub-3.00 ERA.
#1 Stephen Strasburg
Because Washington’s brass is certain that the Nationals will advance to the World Series from now until one of the Obama children is elected president, they are going to shut Stephen Strasburg down at one point or another prior to the postseason. This, in a year where the National League has never been more open or winnable.
The Nationals, who own MLB’s best staff, cannot get to the Fall Classic without their ace.
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