Yankees/Orioles American League Division Series Preview

The Yankees and Orioles met 18 times during the 2012 regular season. 9-9 was how it went. So why not play a best-of-five American League Division Series to break the tie, right? Here is a preview of what’s to come.

Why the Yanks will win: 

Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, CC Sabathia and, Andy Pettite.

It is as simple as that. Cano is the hottest hitter in baseball, CC is the ace every team needs and looks healthy again and Pettitte is primed for one more October success and provides depth after Sabathia. He also hasn’t allowed a run since coming back and thrives under the pressure of postseason baseball. Does Derek Jeter’s importance and success and clutch hitting in October even need to be explained here?

Why the Orioles can win:

Belief and bullpen 

Baltimore’s season has been so magical that it’s getting to the point where they don’t think they can lose. No-name players, young pitching, low batting averages and anything else don’t matter. Add to that the sensational, out-of-nowhere bullpen put together by Buck Showalter that shortens games and takes pressure off the starters. When the Birds have a lead, they are tough. Darren O’Day, Brian Matusz and Jim Johnson make up some trio. Johnson throws as hard as any closer the last two decades.

Prediction: Yankees in 4. 

Incredibly, the Yanks had the best record in the American League but have to start this series at Camden Yards in Baltimore. This was the format in 1995 too when New York hosted two games at Yankee Stadium and won as the first AL Wild Card and then proceeded to lose three in Seattle. Expect a split in Baltimore and then the Yanks to take the next two. But like everything in sports, don’t be surprised to see a sweep by either team, a five game series or anything else that is crazy. Hopefully there won’t be any infield fly rules in the outfield, though.