I really don't like taking the Yankees because they are such big public favorites, but I just can't pass this up. The Yankees have absolutely owned the Twins, and that's not to say that will happen this post season, but looking at this pitching match up I think the Yankees win this game.
#1 Fancisco Liriano lacks post season experience he was in relief role last year and injured in years past. You are asking a lof of him in the first game going up against a Yankees line up that believe it or not hits lefties in terms of runs scored per 9 better than righties. The Yankees are hitting lefties with a .269 average and 5.66 runs per 9 overall. Yankees have a 135 AB vs. Liriano and carry a .274 average and .831 ops. Liriano has not done as well during his night starts with a 3.87 ERA. He was also weak down the stretch with a 8.10 ERA over his last three starts and gave up 5 ER in his last two home starts vs. Toronto and Oakland.
#2 CC Sabathia. After his 1.98 ERA during the post season last year it is clear that Sabathia is an ace and a work horse. He did it and in his last three starts vs. the Twins he's given up just 16 hits over 22.2 IP walking one batter and giving up 2 ER for an ERA under 1.00. Liriano has not been that lucky vs. the Yankees as he's never won at 0-4 all time. Twins also struggle vs. LHP they just don't hit them as well and CC owns the Twins as Mauer even is only 5-23 a .217 average. Take out the lone Twin Alexi Casilla who was 9-13 vs. Sabathia and the Twins are hitting just .187 in 171 at bats.
Liriano gave up 17 hits in 13 IP vs. the Yankees this year with only 5 ER, but more hits than innings pitched against a veteran team like the Yankees this just spells trouble. I know the Twins are great at home and the Yankees have dropped their last 9 vs. LH starters, but I think the Yankees are well prepared for what the Twins are going to show them and they've seen Liriano quite a bit so I'm not worried as the Twins are just 18-54 in their last 72 meetings with the Yankees and when Liriano is on the mound they are 0-4.. They are 4-10 when Liriano is on the mound at home when facing a team with a winning record despite his 3.11 ERA at home. He is also just 1-10 in his last 11 vs. AL East.. Liriano to me is not the type of guy to go out there against the Yankees and pitch 8 scoreless inning that's what he'll have to do to win here.
