“David vs. Goliath” American League Playoff Update

New York Yankees vs Minnesota Twins

After wining a marathon single elimination playoff game against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, a an exhausted Minnesota Twins traveled to New York to take on the Yankees in game one of the ALDS on Wednesday.

The effect of the 21-hour turnaround appeared to have little affect on the Twins as they jumped out to an early lead in the top of the third. But it all fell apart as New York rallied for seven runs beating Minnesota 7-2, taking a one game lead in the series.

No one was surprised by Wednesday’s outcome and the odds Gods were happy. In fact Minnesota is lucky to be here, right?  Wrong.

The Twins deserve to be where they are, going 17-4 in their last 21, including being the first team in major league history to come back from a deficit of three games down with four left to play, and then outlasting the Detroit Tigers, who led the division by seven games in September, to clench the AL Central title. All with a payroll of $58.2 million, the fourth lowest in the league.

Now “David” faces the $201.4 million “Goliath”. Sure the Yankees won 103 games, scored 915 runs and have Jeter, A-Rod and Sabathia. But the one thing they don’t have that Minnesota does, is the lack of pressure to win a championship. The Twins are underdogs and can play as loose as they want, while New York is expected to sweep the Twins and faces extreme pressure from the fans and media if they don’t.

Another advantage the Twins have is a short series as opposed to a seven game series. How important is the win in game one for the Yankees? The answer — not that important. New York has lost its last three playoff runs in five game series’, even after winning game one in 2005 and 2006.

Finally, everyone knows the most important factor in a playoff run is rotation. But beyond C.C. Sabathia, there is a lot more inconsistency and uncertainty than one might think for New York. Starter A.J. Burnett has been wild at times (97 walks in 207 innings), posting a terrible line in August (0-4 with a 6.03 ERA). While Andy Pettitte has allowed 17 runs over his last five starts (27.1 innings).

Twins starter Nick Blackburn (11-11) will start game two on Friday against A.J. Burnett (13-9).

The odds makers have the Yankees at a slim –1.5 favorite and a combined total of 10.

Look for the Twins to rebound in game two after getting some much need rest scoring enough runs to beat New York and the OVER.

Martz is a sports writer for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.