It’s simple. The Yankees are on a mission to repeat as champions, and step one was accomplished with a three-game sweep over the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS.  Phil Hughes won 18 games this season and his first career post season start Saturday evening at Yankee Stadium was memorable. He propelled himself into a post season pitcher, and also answered the skeptics with his outing, a 6-1 win.

The Yankees for the first time as a wild card team advanced to the ALCS and for a second consecutive time in October swept the Twins in the best-of five divisional series. In doing so, they won their ninth straight over the Twins in post season play.

It is the fourth ALCS series appearance for the Yankees since 2003.And they now have a formidable three in the rotation with CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte and Hughes. Perhaps better than the three of last October that included A.J. Burnett, who struggled this season and will get the start in game 4 when the series comes to the Bronx next week.  Javier Vasquez will be regulated to the pen or left off the roster.

“I really loved his stuff tonight,” said Yankees Manager Joe Girardi about Hughes after the series sweep over the Twins, “He located well. He was outstanding. This is not easy. As I said all year long this is hard work,” he said about advancing and elaborating about how his team makes it difficult for other teams to win.

“Pitching, we pitched well,” said Derek Jeter as the Yankees got a good outing from Hughes as their number three starter, and wins from Sabathia in game one and Andy Pettitte in game two. These three could make it difficult for the Rangers to win.

If the Rangers trail in the series when they come to the Bronx, or even if the Yankees come home next week trailing 0-2 in the series, there is the launching yard of Yankee Stadium that make Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher a formidable one, two, three in the lineup that can change the complexion of a game.

That has been seen time and time again, The Yankees never facing the final out in October. Gone is the horrible September stretch of losing 17 of their last 28 games as the pitching, timely hitting, and bullpen came together again in the three-game sweep over the Twins.

For the first time in the nine post season games against Minnesota, the Yankees got on the board first. Robinson Cano started the second with a triple and Jorge Posada drove him home with a single. Cano is a possible MVP of the American League and has the proficiency of hitting the Rangers pitching staff,

The single by Posada was his 41^st career post season RBI surpassing Mickey Mantle for ninth on the Yankees all-time list, one of the core four of the Joe Torre managed championship teams, He wants another ring, though his ability to throw out runners is not as proficient. The Rangers rely more on the extra base hit and long ball, and will play small ball even if it means taking the extra base off Posada.

“It was a big win for us now we need eight more,” said Marcus Thames the designated hitter who became one of the prized additions that GM Brian Cashman acquired during spring training. It seems Cashman always gets the right players. Last October, and into November, it was Eric Hinske and Jerry Hairston Jr, who became unsung heroes.

The 24-year old Hughes was the youngest Yankee stating pitcher to start a post season game since Andy Pettitte in 1995. Making his first career post season start, he allowed one ball out of the infield the first three innings, giving up four hits in his first six innings of work. Hughes was able to get out of a two-out jam in the sixth, striking out Jason Kubel with two on, pitching seven shut out innings and walked one, and has made an immediate impression that he can be a post season pitcher.

“It’s World Series or it’s going to be a disappointing season for us,” said Teixiera.  And that is always the attitude of the Yankees, especially when they get to October even if they have lost some momentum with a six-day hiatus before the ALCS.

And then there is the Mariano Rivera factor. He can still get the four out save, as he did in game one of the ALDS against the Twins appearing in all three games.  Gone and forgotten are the blown saves in September. Until proven otherwise, Rivera has the post season experience and command to close the game, an advantage over Texas closer and rookie Neftali Feliz.

Kerry Wood, Boone Logan, David Robertson and Joba Chamberlain have become a reliable quartet out of the pen before getting to Mariano or taking over if starters don’t go long. Though there are always questions about Chamberlain, and Wood struggled when in came in for Hughes in the clinching game against the Twins.

Texas has a problem closing games at home, so the Yankees have an advantage in the first two games at Arlington.

“They do a very good job getting those guys ready over there,” said Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire about Girardi and his coaching staff, especially in the post season as the Yankees may have the advantage in the first two games. Their pitching staff is rested, enough for Sabathia to be strong for game 1.

In the mean time Cliff Lee, the premiere starter for Texas started  game 5 in the decisive ALDS Series Tuesday night. So the Yankees will not see Lee at least for a game 2, more likely game 3 in the Bronx Monday night.

It is one more step closer for the Yankees to their 41st American League pennant and defense of their world championship. But the Yankees realize there are eight more wins to go before they can get championship number 28.

The difference though is they need to win the first two on the road, or split before coming home.  Not having home field advantage this time could eventually decide the outcome if indeed the series goes to a seventh and decisive game.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com.

Pettitte joined CC  Sabathia and Phil Hughes in double digit victories this season. The threesome are only the fourth Yankee trio of pitchers who have achieved this mark before the All-Star break in the past half-century. The feat was previously accomplished in 2003, 1998 and 1976. Of the achievement, Pettitte remarked, “I expect it from CC; Phil’s been doing an incredible job; I expect to win.”

Petitte had a rocky first inning in which he gave up three hits and the Blue Jays scored two runs, but retained his composure and bettered his pitching during the next five innings. He explained, “I felt good in the first. I was just overthrowing. They [Toronto batters] put good swings on the ball. You just have to change speeds.”

Pettitte was questioned about how he was affected by the extremely lengthy, 37 minutes, bottom of the third inning. The lefty responded to the queries, “That was a long inning. I was just trying to stay loose. I was jogging around [in the batting cage area] my legs loose. Once we scored four.” Although he would have liked to enter the game sooner than he did, he was glad the team went on a scoring binge, “It was good for them [Yankees batters]. We have been struggling a little bit.”

Petitte at 10-2 has made as good a start as ever before. He spoke of his accomplishments, “I’m glad I’m healthy. I’m glad I’m able to contribute. I’m glad I’m able to keep us in games.” His impressive record has caused his name to be mentioned as a possible member of the A.L. All-Star squad. Pettitte said the honor would please him, “It’s been nine years since my last one. It’s out of my hand.”

The Yankees starter hurled six innings. He surrendered three runs (a two-run homer by Jose Bautista in the first and a lead-off homer by Alex Gonzalez in the sixth. Petitte only gave up five hits and one walk. He retired 14 straight batters from the first through the fifth innings. Petitte has not pitched less than five innings in any of his 16 starts in 2010.

Petitte did not only do the only impressive pitching for the Yanks. Dustin Mosley made an auspicious debut with the club by retiring all six batters he faced in the seventh and eighth innings. The 28 year-old righty pitched for Angels from 2006-9 but missed 151 games due to injuries during the past two seasons. Manager Joe Girardi was impressed by the newcomer, “Thge ground balls, the strikes, the efficiency, hopefully, he can play a role for us.”

Sabathia, unlike many other pitchers, finds a hot and humid day to be agreeable, “I feel a lot better when it’s hot like that. I don’t have to work as hard to get my arm loose.”

As the ace of the staff, Sabathia is often matched against the ace of the opposing team. He has faced Roy Halladay and Sunday was the second time this year that he faced Johan Santana. This is not something that concerns Sabathia, “I’m not going out facing those guys; I’m facing thee lineups.”

Sabathia, the workhorse of the Yankees starting five, has been a boon to the bullpen. He has pitched at least seven innings and thrown at least 100 pitches in nine of his 15 starts. The starter shut out the Mets during a season-high eight innings, accomplished twice before. He scattered four hits and walked two batters. In only one inning, the seventh, did two batters reach base. Girardi said he considered sending Sabathia out in the ninth as the starter only threw 100 pitches, but “the rain [a 22 minute rain delay] made it easier to make a decision.”

Closer Mariano Rivera retired all three batters he faced in the final inning to keep the shut out intact.

The crucial at bat in the contest was that of Mark Teixeira in the third. After Brett Gardner, Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher each reached base via a single, Teixeira took a 1-1 pitch from Johan Santana deep into the left field stands for his fifth career grand slam home run.

After the previous day’s Yanks victory, Yankees manager Joe Girardi spoke about Teixeira’s game tying home run, “Maybe this is the start of a long streak.” Although his batting average, .226, has not greatly improved, the Yankees first baseman has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games and scored in 11 of his last 13.

Girardi does not believe Teixeira’s current batting average is reflective of his ability or importance to the club, “He’s such an impactful player. For us, it’s just a matter of time before he gets hot and carries the team.” Girardi also expressed admiration for Teixeira’s calm demeanor and his consistently positive attitude, “His personality is consistent every day. It’s hard to tell what he did. That’s what you like. He’s a very easy player to manage.”

Sabathia, Sunday’s starter, is also impressed by the day’s star batter, “Tex is a pro. I think he knew that at some point he would come out of this [slump].”

The victory of the Yankees coupled with Florida’s defeat of the Tampa Rays gave the Yankees the undisputed first place position in the American League East and the best won/loss record in the majors. Inter-league play will continue next week. The Yankees will be on the West Coast to play the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers before returning to the Bronx to face Seattle on June 29.

This time it was K-Rod working hard on the mound and A-Rod swinging for a third strike with two runners on. The Mets and Johan Santana took the rubber game of a three-game series over the cross-town Yankees 6-4, in the first installment of their inter league Subway Series  The two teams will play again the Bronx at Yankee Stadium June 18-20.

The other battle on the mound this time went to Santana (4-2) who was previously bested twice by Yankees starter CC Sabathia (4-3) when the two opposed each other in the American League. Santana was better going 7 2/3 innings on six hits, striking out five.

Santana got early run support aided by the two home runs from Jason Bay, a two run shot to left in the second inning, and another solo shot to right in the fifth that put the Mets up 5-0, the only home runs hit in the three games. It was the 14^th multi home run game for Bay in his career The Bay home runs tied for the least amount hit since this series started back in 1997.

The Yankees, now six games back of Tama Bay in the AL East once again struggled at the plate, while the Mets in the last two games found a way to get runners home, going 5-for-12 with runners in scoring position that helped Santana.

“Right now we are struggling a little offensively,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. His team is without starting catcher Jorge Posada and outfielder Curtis Granderson. And first baseman Mark Teixiera continues to struggle, though going 2-for 4 and another strike out, including an infield hit that set the stage for K-Rod against A-Rod in the ninth

“We put the best guys out there that we feel can win every night,” said Girardi when asked about contemplating any lineup changes. The Yankees continue this road trip to Minnesota for three games starting Tuesday before returning home to the Bronx for a holiday weekend series against Cleveland.

“It’s a Frustrating week for us going 2 and 5 this week, not what we wanted,” said Girardi. He added, “The sun will come up tomorrow. We go to Minnesota and try and get some wins.”

For the Mets, who seemed to find a way to get runners home in the three-game series there is a day off Monday and then a three- game home series with the first place Philadelphia Phillies.” I think what we have to do is continue to play good baseball,” said Manager Jerry Manuel. “We have had some things obviously surrounding us especially the pitching staff.”

Manuel was referring to two-thirds of his pitching rotation. Oliver Perez is regulated to bullpen duty, with John Maine and Jonathon Niese on the disabled list. “It doesn’t affect us but you still have to play on the field,” he said.

Will the momentum continue for the Mets with the Phillies coming to town? “It’s more of a carry over effect of beating a good team,” said Bay regarding the Mets taking their first rubber game series of the season.

Email Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

The Yankees trailed all game, losing 5-3, and the Mets evened the first installment of the 2010 Subway Series a game apiece. The rubber game is Sunday evening with CC Sabathia taking the mound for the Yankees opposing the Mets Johan Santana.

Mike Pelfrey (6-1) got his sixth win of the season, the earliest he reached that many wins and the Mets also bested Yankees starter Phil Hughes (5-1) who trailed 2-0 after the first inning, the largest deficit the right hander has confronted this season. A good night for the Mets and their manager Jerry Manuel that they hope will continue to carry over.

“I feel very good about big Mike,” said Mets Manuel about his starter. “He has really evolved and matured into a solid, solid pitcher.” So solid that Pelfrey contributed to the Yankees to one run on six hits. The Yankees stranded 13 runners and came into the game leading the American League in batting and slugging percentage,

With runners in scoring position the Mets went 5-for- 12 and go their production from their three, four, five and six hitters in the lineup. That was another change for the struggling Mets Angel Pagan went 2-for-3, so did David Wright who has been struggling.

Instead it was Pelfrey, the rookie Jenrry Mejia, and closer Frankie Rodriquez getting a five-out save that stopped the also struggling Yankees. “I feel terrible,” said the Yankees Mark Teixeira who went 0-4 with three strikeouts, now 1-for-20 in his last five games.

Not terrible for the Mets as they snapped a five game losing streak to the Yankees dating back to last June 14^th. Bay tied his career high with four hits and Wright, went 2-for-3 with runners in scoring position after coming into the game 2-for- 17 in clutch situations.

“Two out RBI’s” are a killer,” commented Bay. “And then just to try and tack on one here, one there, it ended up we needed those runs at the end.” And the Mets needed those extra runs as the Yankees tacked on two more in the eighth. Manuel called on his closer, Rodriquez, who got his seventh save of the season.

“He did his job,” said Manuel about K-Rod as the Mets once again went to their over used bullpen. “Some people get nervous but I like it instead of coming out to get two outs,” said Rodriquez who struck out his counter part Alex in the ninth. He struck out Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli to end the game.

And for the Yankees, a team looking to find themselves with numerous injuries, it is back to the drawing board and trying to salvage the final game in this first set of games against their rivals from Flushing.

“Its baseball,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi regarding the inability of his team to get runners across the plate. “You are going to go through that as hitters. It’s the reality of the game,” he said.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

The jeers of the crowd and the ineffective pitching have been a part of each of the veteran’s starts at Yankee Stadium this year. Two of the runs on Saturday came on homers by slugger Andruw Jones. The solo shots by Jones in the first and third innings were the third game this season during which the veteran slugger hit more than one home run. It was his 40^th multi-homer game in his lengthy career in the majors. Home runs are not a stranger to Vazquez. He has given up eight of the 19 surrendered by the New York staff. The other four Yankees starters, CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes, have given up a combined total of only five home runs. Those unimpressive numbers are on pace to surpass the 33 round trippers he yielded in 2004 with the Yankees. Vazquez’s other stats are also disappointing to Yankees fans. In 23 innings pitched in his five starts, the righty gave up 32 hits and 25 runs. His ERA is currently at 9.78.

The reasons for the lack of success of the veteran hurler, now in his 13^th Major league season, are not easy to discern. After Saturday’s contest, Yankees skipper Joe Girardi told reporters, “He struggled again. It’s a difficult part of the game. A lot of it (99.9 %) is miss-location, which is mechanical.” Of the mental part caused by pressing, Girardi commented, “Players can sometimes make a slump longer than it should be.” Of the fans growing disenchantment with the   performances of the Puerto Rican native, Girardi said, “If you pitch the way you are capable of, anyone can turn it [Fan’s support] around.”

When the outspoken manager of the Chicago White Sox, Ozzie Guillen, was asked his opinion of Vazquez’s lack of success in 2010, he responded, “He’s throwing balls, not strikes. You can’t do that, especially in the American League. They don’t let you get away with mistakes in this league.”

As soon as the game concluded, reporters surrounded Vazquez in the spacious Yankees clubhouse to obtain his opinions of his latest mound performance, “I’m working on everything.  I feel good. I’m just not getting it done when it counts. I might be trying too hard because I want to be good. It’s not easy when you’re struggling out there. You have to keep your head up, but it’s not easy.”

Vazquez said he understood the booing of the fans of the team, “When you’re not doing good, they’re going to boo you.” Vazquez was also questioned about having to change his glove in the fourth inning because it was considered to be illegal as it was two-toned. “I’ve used that glove for years. It caught me off-guard, but that’s not the responsible for what happened out there. I just changed my glove and went out there.”

Vazquez has been the winner of 143 Major League contests. How his performances can be improved this season is not clear. How long management of the team will continue to allow Vazquez to start games without a big improvement in his performances is yet to be determined. Five relief pitchers were used to follow Vazquez in Saturday. The overuse of the relief corps   forced management to recall pitcher Mark Melancon on Saturday night to replace outfielder Curtis Granderson on the roster.

The sad saga of Vazquez still continues. On Monday the Yankees decided to skip Vazquez in the rotation and bypassed him in the upcoming Red Sox series up in Boston this weekend. Under the normal movement of the starting rotation, the next start for Vazquez would have been scheduled on Thursday an off-day.

Lee had the confidence with a good slider, an effective changeup and his usual good fastball and limited the Yankees to six hits, striking out 10 and issuing one walk. In his World Series debut, Lee got his third win in the postseason and lowered his ERA to 0.54, the seventh lowest all-time in postseason play among pitchers with at least 20.0 innings.

More importantly, Lee showed no signs of being nervous and now the Yankees are faced with trying to even the series at home Thursday evening, facing another lefthander, the familiar face of Pedro Martinez. It is the first time this postseason that the Yankees trail in a series.

“Game time is the time go out there and have fun and let your skills take over,” commented Lee who was acquired by the Phillies from Cleveland before the trading deadline on July 29^th. And his acquisition could be a major reason why the Phillies are in position to win consecutive World Series titles.

Sabathia got off to a slow start and got out of a bases loaded situation in the first inning on a misty and cold night in the Bronx. The Yankees, back in the Fall Classic after a six year absence knew they would expect Lee to be on his game. Sabathia also threw two  solo home run balls to Chase Utley who became the second left handed batter in World Series history to hit two home runs off a lefthander pitcher in one game.

“It’s kind of weird,” said Lee about his performance that had the record new Yankee Stadium crowd of 50,207 come to a hush when he constantly retired the powerful bats in the Yankees lineup. “Boils down to confidence and trusting your teammates,” he said.

Lee’s 10 strikeouts were the most by a pitcher in a World Series game since Florida’s Josh Beckett fanned 10 on October 21, 2003 in game 3 when the Yankees opposed Florida. “He kept us off balance,” said Yankee manager Joe Girardi about Lee. “He got us to chase some pitches when we were down in the count, up in the zone. He used his cutter very well. He used his curveball very well.”

The Yankees seemed to be frustrated, though Girardi downplayed that thought. “As far as  being frustrated, our guys will grind it out,” he said. I’m not concerned about that” The only concern may be how the Yankees bounce back Thursday evening when A.J. Burnett takes the mound.  Girardi also said he would also contemplate keeping catcher Jorge Posada in the lineup instead of inserting Joe Molina who usually is in there when Burnett is on the mound.

“He mixes it up,” said the Yankees Derek Jeter about the variety of pitches that Lee throws. Jeter had some success with three hits, including a single in the ninth inning that for a moment had Yankees fans thinking of another ninth inning comeback that was such a trademark of their season.

As for game two being classified as critical for New York Jeter said, “Critical they’re all critical now. As you go further in the postseason the games get tougher, so does the pitching.” And Jeter should know about the importance of winning the first game. He is playing in his seventh World Series all as a Yankee.

“We definitely don’t like this situation,” said Johnny Damon. “We can’t lose three more,” he said about the urgency now for the Yankees to take game two, If the Yankees don’t prevail Thursday evening it makes things that moiré difficult because the Series shifts to Philadelphia for the next three games.

These are the Yankees and everyone expects them to rebound with Burnett on the mound. Not that Sabathia had an off night in losing his first game this postseason, after going 3-0, his first loss as a starter in the World Series.  Of his four hits in seven innings, two were the home runs hit by Utley and he struck out six,

“I was just trying to get my fastball over the plate and missed my location,” said Sabathia about the pitches thrown to Utley in the third and sixth innings, which was enough run support for Lee.  As for any panic after a game one loss Sabathia said, “This is a pretty good team and veteran clubhouse. We know what is at stake.”

Rodriguez had a horrible World Series debut and made no excuses. Lee was that good. “When a guy comes out like that, you tip your hat and go on,” he said about Lee. “He made some pretty good pitches.” Philadelphia got the first draw, their first win over the Yankees in World Series play having been swept by the Bronx Bombers in their previous World Series meeting back in 1950.

And drama in game two with Pedro Martinez on the mound for the Phillies and hearing the taunts of Yankee fans at the new stadium. “It’s all just being fans,” said Martinez Wednesday about his return to the Bronx and pitching again in New York, “I have all the respect in the world for the way they enjoy being fans,” he said.

And for the Yankees they hope they can enjoy some of Pedro’s pitches. If not the Phillies could be that much closer to becoming the first team since the Yankees to repeat as champions.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

“It’s just weird because a couple of years ago we were talking about maybe pitching in a World Series together,” commented Sabathia Tuesday at Yankee Stadium about his former Cleveland teammate Lee. Now, though the last two American League Cy Young Award winners are on opposing sides and can set the table for something special.

It is the first time that former teammates have matched up in the World Series for different clubs since game 1 of the 2005 Fall Classic when former Yankee teammates Roger Clemens (Houston) and Jose Contreras (Chicago) met at the series opener in Chicago.

Joe Girardi debuts as a World Series manager, the fourth such Yankee who has played and managed in the Series having been a player under previous manager Joe Torre in 1996 and 1998-99. Plenty of history then for the Yankees, and Girardi is well aware of the pressures involved with his team as favorites to get their elusive 27^th world title.

“I was pretty aware of the pressures, because I think as players you understood what the deal was every year here, because of the way that Mr. Steinbrenner and everyone put the club together,” commented Girardi after his team concluded their workout on a misty field Tuesday.

Of course there is pressure. George Steinbrenner has less authority now as the owner. Hank and Hal will welcome their father to the new billion dollar stadium in the Bronx Wednesday evening and have made it known, getting to and winning the World Series is a necessity when you sign on and manage the Yankees.   They have come this far, and the Steinbrenner family wants nothing but the brass ring and a championship for New York.

And for Phils manager Charlie Manuel, the pressure does not seem to be an issue. He has guided his team to a second consecutive Series appearance, the first manager since Torre took his Yankees to four straight from 1998-2201.  The Phillies, perhaps are attempting to become a dynasty like the Yankees, as no team has won back-to-back championships since the Yankees did that with three straight from 1998-2000.

“We have no pressure as the defending champions,” said Manuel when it was his turn to take the podium. “They have to take it from us,’ he said. “The games are won on the field,” commented Manuel when asked his opinion about the Yankees being the favorites.  His Phils have more experienced Series experience, 17 have been there before to the Yankees nine.

A classic Series perhaps because Manuel has opted to go with Pedro Martinez as his game two starter Thursday evening over  last year’s Series MVP Cole Hamels.  Martinez returns to New York, once again on the big stage and this time at the new Yankee Stadium.

“This may be my last big stage,” said Martinez who had a serious look in his eye at one of the many booths set up in the Great Hall at the Stadium where media met the players.  Afterwards, fans peeking in from the closed gates taunted the 16-year veteran. He was receptive and Pedro put on a show before testing his arm on the field

There were some questions in early May, before Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup. After that the Yankees proved they were destined to get back to the World Series. They were the best team in baseball from then on, and now four more wins await them this time, before they can be called the best against the defending champions.

If Rodriguez continues his torrid hitting, which may be stopped by the numerous lefthanders the Phillies throw, well the Yankees could be in trouble.  If Mark Teixiera, who showed some signs of getting out of a horrid postseason slump at the end of the ALCS, then the Phillies will have their problems.

“Think we can put ourselves on the map to be the better team,” said the Phillies Shane Victorino who ignored a New York tabloid front page that mocked him. Victorino also pays no attention towards comparing his team and the Yankees. Getting 26 championships like the Yankees also can’t be compared, but consecutive championships would be an accomplishment especially going through New York.

“We want to put ourselves in that category,” he commented about a possible dynasty. “You know to win back-to-back would be fun.  They have power and pitching and ultimately it comes down to one game at a time.”

Both teams combined hit 468 home runs this season, and for the first time in 83 years the World Series features two teams with the most home runs hit in the Majors. Yankee pitchers will face a lineup of Philly hitters that have six players in double digits when hitting the long ball and they both have hit 14 home runs this postseason.

So there are some comparisons, and then there is the rooting interest of New York baseball fans. Martinez had a stint with the cross-town Mets and still respects that other baseball team in town. “They will get stronger and better,” he said, “and I know there fans won’t be rooting for us.

Of course not, because in New York a Mets fan has a dilemma. It will be heard. They despise the cross-town Yankees because they always get to this point of a baseball season. And the dreadful Phillies have become a nemesis taking the last three National League east division titles under Manuel, so a Mets fan may root for the Yanks.

But in baseball circles it does not matter who a fan roots for. Fans want to see a good World Series, so does everyone associated with Major League Baseball, and the Fox Sports Network may have a ratings buster due to the interest and magnitude of this series.

So when the Phillies Jimmy Rollins made a bold prediction, his team in five games that set the tone more.  Others believe it will be Yankees in six or seven games and a lot rides on how Girardi sets his roster. He may carry two catchers instead one instead of the three he has used in the previous postseason games against Minnesota and the Angels.

And the Yankees will probably use a game four starter. “You look at where you’re at and make decisions as you go,” says Girardi about who to start after Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte.  “We have a plan of what we’re going to do and that plan can be adjusted depending on where you are in the Series.”

That relates also to the bullpen where the Series can ultimately be decided. Girardi still has plans to use Phil Hughes in a set up role, along with Joba Chamberlain. And one thing is certain, the Yankees have Mariano Rivera and the all-time best closer in postseason baseball just about assures a Yankees win.

The difference from Rivera and other postseason closers, you are seeing Cy Young and not Mel Rojas or Armando Benitez two former New York Mets who had no consistency when closing an important game. And don’t be surprised to see Girardi call his closer for a six out save like he did Sunday in the ALCS clincher against the Angels.

A classic in the making for all baseball fans the next week or so for sure.  In the end, home runs from both sides including Ryan Howard of the Phillies. “Just try and take advantages of some mistakes they may make,” he says about ways to overtake the Yankees.

.“Don’t know a thing about them, don’t know much about them,” said the captain Derek Jeter when asked about the Phillies in the new spacious Yankees clubhouse that got another dose of champagne Sunday evening. Jeter is a part of that core of four with Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte who now go to their seventh World Series.

Who is better, Jeter or the Phils Chase Utley? In a matter of hours, the Yankees will know more about the Phillies than they did in the three games they played against each other earlier this season. Then the Phils took two of three in the Bronx.  They were good games then, and expect the same now.

Yankees have home field advantage.  That helps also and in the end they get their 27^th world championship in the Bronx next week in six games.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

There were some questions in early May, before Alex Rodriguez returned to the lineup. After that the Yankees proved they were destined to get back to the World Series. They were the best team in baseball from then on, and now four more wins await them this time, before they can be called the best against the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies

And just like the ALCS battle with the Angels, the Yankees know their destiny to get championship number 27 won’t be easy. They don’t know much about the Phillies with the exception of the three games they played against them in June when the Phils came to the Bronx and took two of three games.

And so the mission for Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and the Steinbrenner owned Yankees is almost complete. It was Cashman, last October, after seeing his team fail to make the postseason making a statement. “We are not satisfied and won’t be,” he said, “unless we are in the World Series.”

So they spent money again to make it correct. They had to with a spanking new billion dollar ballpark. And the hope is it will all culminate in the next week with another World Series trophy.  But these Phillies provide just as much power as the Yankees do, and play just as well at their ballpark as the Yankees do in the Bronx.

“Don’t know a thing about them, don’t know much about them,” said the captain Derek Jeter when asked about the Phillies in the new spacious Yankees clubhouse that got another dose of champagne Sunday evening. Jeter is a part of that core of four with Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte who now go to their seventh World Series.

For Rodriquez it is his first time going to the Big Dance. And all of the demons of previous postseasons are history. He could have been ALCS MVP that went to Sabathia, but what is more important is how Rodriquez shut the mouths of critics and finally became a Yankee the past few weeks.

He reached base five times in the ALCS finale, batted .429, hit three home runs, and drove in six against the Angels. After two of the core players embraced after the final out, Posada and the closer Rivera, it was no surprise that Rodriquez was the first Yankee on the field that got hugged by Jeter and the rest of his team.

“I felt really happy and really blessed and all I cared about this year was winning games,” said Rodriquez who had a tense spring training with a steroid controversy and then missing time until May with hip surgery.  But all along the goal was to get where he is now, a World Series with the Yankees.

And for the manager Joe Girardi every thing now has gone to plan. Like his predecessor, Joe Torre, management provided the players and opportunity to get the elusive 27^th championship. The moves made out of the bullpen that may have cost a game three win last week are now in the past.

His mission from the spring was to get where the Yankees are, beginning Wednesday evening in the Bronx. “We’ve had big players do big things,” he said. “That’s why we are going to the World Series.” Sabathia is one of those big players with two wins, one on three days rest against the Angels, Rodriguez the other, and of course Pettitte who got a baseball record 16^th career postseason win getting the clinching win against the Twins also in the ALDS.

Perhaps this will be the last time Pettitte and the core are together for this special moment in late October. Pettitte signed a one-year contract to get there again. Jeter, Posada and Rivera still have some time together.  But for now, the agenda for them and these Yankees are the Phillies, a team that picked up momentum in September and will provide a bigger test than the Angels.

“They outplayed us, that’s’ the bottom line,” said Angels manager Mike Scoscia. His team made errors, and the Yankees like the good team they are will capitalize on that. And the Angels only stole two bases in the six games, so the Yankees had a way of stopping their running game.

With Sabathia pitching Game 1 Wednesday evening, the Yankees quickly have an advantage.  “That’s’ what you play for,” said Rodriguez. “In order to win a World Series you have to get there first.”

Mission accomplished for now. Bring on the Phillies.

e-mail Rich Mancuso:  Ring786@aol.com

“It’s tough putting pressure on CC when you get nobody on,” said Angels, outfielder Torii Hunter who got a single off Sabathia in the first inning. It was one of four hits off Sabathia who got his first LCS win and recorded a postseason high in innings pitched. “It was just CC,” said Hunter. “CC is the cold weather. CC’s the real deal, man” he said.

And again, the Yankees as they do so well, capitalized on the errors by the Angels, a team that set a franchise low 85 and third fewest in the league this season. One in the first inning opened the door for a New York early 2-0 lead when left fielder Juan Rivera threw to the shortstop that put runners on second and third.

Then, in the same inning there was the probable miscommunication of a ball in the infield, or the wind playing havoc which saw a popup from the Yankees Hideki Matsui drop between third baseman Chone Figgins and shortstop Erick Aybar. The result was a single and Johnny Damon scoring a run.

“”We haven’t seen our guys crack the door open for a team like we did tonight in a long time,” said Angels manager Mike Scioscia about that first inning, And like so many other teams that have been victims, now are the Angels. “And the Yankees are going to take advantage of that, and they did,” added Scioscia.

From there it was all Sabathia.  This series is supposed to be about the Angels speed and ability to take the extra base, if they can get there.  The Yankees with their power, though no home runs this windy night, and ability to hold a lead then go to their pen in the late innings. Sabathia threw 113 pitches, struck out seven and had great command.. Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth and got the save,

“I noticed he was able to get ahead and change speeds,” commented Scioscia. “He threw some good change ups. I think he commanded both sides of the plate better than we had seen him before. He pitched a heck of a game. He obviously is one of the best in out league.”

The Angels know for sure how important it was to get on base. But Sabathia did not let the cold weather get to him and made the Angels know he could be the difference in this series. Sabathia could face then two more times if indeed there is a seventh and decisive game in the Bronx next weekend.

“He kept the guys that can create problems off the bases all night,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi, “and he was sensational.” Sabathia has now won two opening games in the postseason, the other against Minnesota last week in the divisional series.  And for the first time this season, with over 49,000 fans chanting CC in the seventh inning, Sabathia showed emotion after striking out pinch hitter Mike Naploi with a runner on second with a 4-1 lead.

Said Sabathia about the emotion, “That was a great feeling to have the Stadium rocking and to be chanting my name and to be able to get a strikeout. I was pretty pumped up. I don’t really show a lot of emotion a lot of times, but it came out of me there.”

But that emotion is what the Yankees like. They feel confident when their work horse takes the mound. Johnny Damon who made a defensive gem in left and had a fifth inning double hoped to have a powerful pitcher behind him in the postseason. This is his first ALCS with the Yankees.

“This is the first time we’ve been into the ALCS since I’ve been here,” he said. “The other two times we were knocked off in the first round. That’s why we got CC. To be a work horse during the season, of course, But to shut down teams in the postseason. They didn’t have too many base runners tonight. And any time you can do that, it definitely plays in our favor.”

As for the errors that the Angeles rarely make, said Damon “We’ll take it. We don’t see them do that too often, so we’ll take it.”  Miscues that spoiled a good pitching performance from Angels, starter John Lackey who gave up four runs on nine hits.

A loss that Hunter said will be forgotten. “Wake up in the morning and feel like we had amnesia,” he said.  The Angels hope to readjust and get out of New York with a 1-1 split before going home for Game 3 Monday.

Girardi also has the ability to use the bullpen Saturday evening in Game 2 because Sabathia went deep. That may now go to the Yankees advantage when A. J. Burnett takes the mound for New York opposing Joe Saunders.  “If we need multiple innings out of guys we know we can get it,” he said.

“Having a guy like CC, A.J. Pettitte (Andy) and the strong bullpen we have, it’s allowed us to get to this point,” commented Damon.  So Hopefully tomorrow night A.J. shows up and pitches well, and hopefully we can score a few runs off Saunders”

And if the Angels want to make this a series they know they have to avoid those costly mistakes. Burnett is not Sabathia, but one mistake against the Yankees, as Scioscia said, will crack the door open.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com