The Ultimate American League Playoff Guide

NEW YORK YANKEES (aka The Evil Empire)

Manager: Joe Girardi

Staff ace: CC Sabathia- 19-8, ERA 3.37, 197 K's

Closer: Mariano Rivera- 3-3, ERA 1.76, 44 saves, 72 K's

Probable Starting Pitchers:

A.J. Burnett- 13-9, ERA 4.04, 195 K's

Andy Pettitte- 14-8, ERA 4.16, 148 K's

Joba Chamberlain- 9-6, ERA 4.75, 133 K's

Top Relief Pitchers/Other Significant Pitchers:

Phil Hughes- 8-3, ERA 3.03, 3 saves, 96 K's

Phil Coke- 4-3, ERA 4.50, 2 saves, 49 K's

Catchers:

Jorge Posada- 22 HR's, 81 RBI's, .285 AVG

Jose Molina- 1 HR, 11 RBI's, .217 AVG

Infield:

First Base: Mark Texiera- 39 HR's, 122 RBI's, .292 AVG

Second base: Robinson Cano- 25 HR's, 85 RBI's, .320 AVG

Third Bsae: Alex Rodriguez- 30 HR's, 100 RBI's, .286 AVG, 14 SB

Shortstop: Derek Jeter- 18 HR's, 66 RBI's, .334 AVG, 30 SB

Outfield:

Right Field: Nick Swisher- 29 HR's, 82 RBI's, .249 AVG

Center Field: Melky Cabrera- 13 HR's, 68 RBI's, .274 AVG, 10 SB

Left Field: Johnny Damon- 24 HR's, 82 RBI's, .282 AVG, 12 SB

Bench:

Designated Hitter: Hedeki Matsui- 28 HR's, 90 RBI's, .274 AVG

Pinch Hitter: Eric Hinske- 8 HR's, 25 RBI's, .242 AVG

Pinch Runner: Brett Gardner- 3 HR's, 23 RBI's, .270 AVG, 26 SB

Utilityman: Jerry Hairston, Jr.- 10 HR's, 39 RBI's, .251 AVG, 7 SB

Why they will win the World Series: Uh, because they're the Yankees. And they're loaded with a very nice blend of veterans like Jeter, Posada, and Pettitte who know what being a Yankee is all about, some blue collar players like Nick Swisher that allow the team to have some fun, and some incredibly talented players like A-Rod, CC Sabathia, and Texiera. They will be a popular pick to win it. And Joba Chamberlain won't be attacked by hordes of insects like Egypt in Old Testament.

MINNESOTA TWINS

Manager: Ron Gardenhire

Staff ace: Scott Baker- 15-9, 4.37 ERA, 162 K's

Closer: Joe Nathan- 2-2, 2.10 ERA, 47 saves, 89 K's

Probable Starting Pitchers:

Carl Pavano- 14-12, 5.10 ERA, 147 K's

Nick Blackburn- 11-11, 4.03 ERA, 98 K's

Brian Duensing- 5-2, 3.64 ERA, 53 K's

Top Relief Pitchers/Other Significant Pitchers:

Matt Guerrier- 5-1, 2.36 ERA, 47 K's

Jose Mijares- 2-2, 2.34 ERA, 55 K's

Catchers:

Joe Mauer- 28 HR's, 96 RBI's, .365 AVG

Mike Redmond- 0 HR's, 7 RBI's, .237 AVG

Infield:

First base: Micheal Cuddyer- 32 HR's, 94 RBI's, .276

Second base: Nick Punto- 1 HR, 38 RBI's, .228 AVG, 16 SB

Third base: Matt Tolbert- 2 HR's, 19 RBI's, .232 AVG- Played at Ole Miss and Centreville Academy.

Shortstop: Orlando Cabrera- 9 HR's, 77 RBI's, .284 AVG, 13 SB

Outfield:

Right Field: Jason Kubel- 28 HR's, 103 RBI's, .300 AVG

Center Field: Denard Span- 8 HR's, 68 RBI's, .311 AVG, 23 SB

Left Field: Delmon Young- 12 HR's, 60 RBI's, .284 AVG

Bench:

Designated Hitter: Carlos Gomez- 3 HR's, 28 RBI's, .229 AVG, 14 SB

Pinch Hitter: Jose Morales- 0 HR's, 7 RBI's, .311

Pinch Runner: Alexi Casilla- 0 HR's, 16 RBI's, .198, 11 SB's

Utilityman: Brendan Harris- 6 HR's, 37 RBI's, .261 AVG

Why they'll win the World Series: This team has had to overcome injuries- Justin Morneau, and Joe Crede, and a seven game lead by the Detroit Tigers to win. They're the underdog, and they're hot, which could make them very dangerous.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM

Manager: Mike Scioscia

Staff Ace: Jared Weaver- 16-8, 3.75 ERA, 174 K's

Closer: Brian Fuentes- 1-5, 3.93 ERA, 48 saves, 46 K's

Probable Starting Pitchers:

John Lackey- 11-8, 3.83 ERA, 139 K's

Joe Saunders- 16-7, 4.60 ERA, 101 K's

Scott Kazmir- 10-9, 4.98 ERA, 117 K's

Top Relief Pitchers/Other Significant Pitchers:

Darren Oliver- 5-1, 2.71 ERA, 65 K's

Nick Adenhart- 0-0, 0.00, 5 K's

Cathers:

Mike Napoli- 20 HR's, 56 RBI's, .272 AVG

Jeff Mathis- 5 HR's, 28 RBI's, .211 AVG

Infield:

First Base: Kendry Morales- 34 HR's, 108 RBI's, .306 AVG

Second Base: Howie Kendrick- 10 HR's, 61 RBI's, .291 AVG, 11 SB

Third Base: Chone Figgins- 5 HR's, 54 RBI's, .298 AVG, 42 SB

Shortstop: Erick Aybar- 5 HR's, 58 RBI's, .312 AVG, 14 SB

Outfield:

Right Field: Bob Abreu- 15 HR's, 103 RBI's, .293 AVG 30 SB

Center Field: Torii Hunter- 22 HR's, 90 RBI's, .299 AVG, 18 SB

Left Field: Juan Rivera- 25 HR's, 88 RBI's, .287 AVG

Bench:

Designated Hitter: Vladimir Guerrero- 15 HR's, 50 RBI's, .295 AVG.

Pinch Hitter: Gary Matthews, Jr.- 4 HR's, 50 RBI's, .250 AVG

Pinch Runner: Maicer Izturis- 8 HR's, 65 RBI's, .300 AVG, 13 SB

Utilityman: Reggie Willits- 0 HR's, 6 RBI's, .213 AVG

Why they'll win the World Series: This team has perhaps the best blend of speed and power throughout their entire lineup, and they have a somewhat underrated, but very good pitching staff. And you have to pull for a team like this after the untimely death of Nick Adenhart.

BOSTON RED SOX (THE NATION)

Manager: Terry Francona

Staff ace: Josh Beckett- 17-6, 3.86 ERA, 199 K's

Closer: Johnathan Papelbon- 1-1, 1.85 ERA, 38 saves, 76 K's- Former Mississippi State pitcher

Probable Starting Pitchers:

Jon Lester- 15-8, 3.41 ERA, 225 K's

Clay Buchholz- 7-4, 4.21 ERA, 68 K's

Tim Wakefield- 11-5, 4.58 ERA, 72 K's

Bullpen/Other Significant Pitchers:

Billy Wagner- 1-1, 1.98 ERA, 22 K's

Daniel Bard- 2-2, 3.65 ERA, 63 K's

Cathers:

Jason Varitek- 14 HR's, 51 RBI's, .209 AVG

Victor Martinez- 23 HR's, 108 RBI's, .303 AVG

Infield:

First Base: Kevin Youkilis- 27 HR's, 94 RBI's, .305 AVG

Second Base: Dustin Pedroia- 15 HR's, 72 RBI's, .296 AVG, 20 SB

Third Base: Mike Lowell- 17 HR's, 75 RBI's, .290 AVG

Shortstop: Alex Gonzalez- 5 HR's, 15 RBI's, .284 AVG

Outfield:

Right Field: JD Drew- 24 HR's, 68 RBI's, .279 AVG

Center Field: Jacoby Ellsbury- 8 HR's, 60 RBI's, .301 AVG, 70 SB

Left Field: Jason Bay- 36 HR's, 119 RBI's, .267 AVG, 13 SB

Bench:

Designated Hitter: David Ortiz- 28 HR's, 99 RBI's, .238 AVG

Pinch Hitter: Rocco Baldelli- 7 HR's, 23 RBI's, .253 AVG

Pinch Runner: Brian Anderson- 4 HR's, 18 RBI's, .243 AVG, 3 SB

Utilityman: Nick Green- 6 HR's, 35 RBI's, .236 AVG

Why they'll win the World Series: The Red Sox have certainly had their share of turmoil throughout the year, but this team has also been here and won before. It would not be shocking at all if the Red Sox pull it together in the end, as the postseason may very well be the fresh start that they need.