ALDS News Open Thread

I'll keep this up until the Tigers-Twins game is over. The game in on TBS.

Here's a few pieces of news regarding the Yankees and the ALDS:

- The Yankees have officially decided the longer series which will begin tomorrow.

- The pitching rotation for the first round is set. CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett in the Bronx, and then Andy Pettitte will start game 3. CC would start game 4, and Burnett will go in game 5.

- Brian Bruney will not be on the ALDS roster. Tyler Kepner believes the final roster spot will be determined based on who they play. "Marte if Yanks face MIN, Guzman if they face Detroit."

- Joe Girardi told Ken Davidoff that "There are probably 23 guys who are fairly secure."

- The umpires for the Yankees series will be Tim Tschida, Chuck Meriwether, Mark Wegner, Paul Emmel, Jim Joyce and Phil Cuzzi.

- Broadcasting the Yankees division series games will be Chip Caray and Ron Darling.

Here's an interesting round table discussion from the Sporting News (hat-tip to WasWatching.com) with some former Yanks, including Mike Mussina, Paul O’Neill, Moose Skowron, Mel Stottlemyre, Ralph Terry, and Roy White, talking about the current Yanks.

Some highlights:

Alex Rodriguez's Yankee playoff batting average is .245. Think he'll top .300 this postseason?

Stottlemyre: "Yes, I think he will finally will handle the extra pressure he puts on himself. If he just relaxes, he will be a dominant factor."
O'Neill: "I really do. Because of his slight off year due to injury, this gives him a chance to make up for a lot of numbers and get rid of that label."
Terry: "Probably not, because he'll be facing premier pitchers in the playoffs. However, he seems to be hitting the hard throwers better. I'm sure he'll be eager to do well. Never underestimate great players."
Skowron: "No way."

Who's the Yankee you want up with two outs in the ninth in a big playoff game?

Stottlemyre: "Derek Jeter. He still has the ability to get the job done, and his desire and attitude are the best."
O'Neill: "I'm still very confident with Derek Jeter in those situations. Some things never change."
Mussina: "Mark Teixeira."
White: "Robinson Cano."

What's the one area that worries you most about these Yankees?

Stottlemyre: "Can the pitching staff step up to allow the offense to score runs? Pitching must carry them in the playoffs."
O'Neill: "The pressure of winning this many games and not finishing with a World Series win. The season becomes sort of a failure."
Terry: "Catching. (Jorge) Posada is a big key. I hope he's healthy. Him being in the lineup really makes them more dangerous."
Skowron: "Nick Swisher."

I don't know how Nick Swisher could be anyone's biggest concern heading into this series, but to be honest Moose Skowron seems like he's just a bitter old man and his opinion is fairly worthless.

For answers to "Who's the most underrated Yankee?" and "Has Joe Girardi redeemed himself?" check out the link above.