MLB Play-offs Preview: Yankees can make most of Twins' fatigue

MLB / Nick Shiambouros / 07 October 2009 / Leave a Comment

"The Twins face an almost impossible task against the Yankees - they used up their bullpen last night and have not won in New York for over two years. The Yankees will win this series 3-0."

Our man called it right in Minneapolis last night but can he select the best bets from what looks set to be a thrilling play-off season?

The Minnesota Twins beat the Detroit Tigers 6-5 in a titanic struggle on Tuesday night. The game lasted well over four hours and took 12 innings .This great game came to an end when Alexi Casilla singled to right field allowing Carlos Gomez to score and send the Twins to the post-season. This one game tiebreaker to decide the AL Central will be talked about for years to come and it really could have gone either way.
　
The Division series start today and below is a preview from the AL and NL.
　
ALDS (American League Division Series)

Minnesota Twins v The New York Yankees (game1)

The Yankees start the great CC Sabathia tonight against an exhausted Minnesota team that will spend most of the day travelling to New York. The Twins start rookie Brian Duensing and he faces a tall order tonight against the power hitting of NY.
The Twins face an almost impossible task against the Yankees as they used up their bullpen last night and have not won in New York for over two years. The Yankees will win this series 3-0.

Boston Red Sox v Los Angeles Angels (game1)

The Sox have dominated the Angels in recent years so this first game is vital for LA. Boston start John Lester on Thursday and this left-hander is in superb form. If the Angels are going to beat Boston then they will have to swing the bat.

Los Angeles start John Lackey who has had a decent end to the season. He will have to bring his best on Thursday against the patient hitters of Boston.

The Angels need to win this first game more than Boston but I think they have a fair chance at home. They score a lot of runs and could be tough to catch if they get an early lead.
　

NLDS (National League Division Series)

Colorado Rockies v Philadelphia Phillies (game1)

The Rockies are a team in cracking form and start Aaron Cook who has only given up one run in the last 13 innings. This team is the surprise package of the year and they will be tough to beat.

Cole Hamels is on the hill for Philadelphia but in my opinion he is not the same pitcher as he was last year. He was invincible in the World Series last season but he has yet to recapture that kind of form.

St Louis Cardinals v Los Angeles Dodgers (game1)

The Cardinals start the talented Adam Wainwright who has had a tremendous season. Wainwright is a very accurate and solid performer and loves the big occasion. On the other side of the coin, the Dodgers start young Clayton Kershaw who could be vulnerable against a hitter like Albert Pujols.

This promises to be a very entertaining series but I just favour St Louis in the first game.

Recommended wagers:

World Series back New York at [3.0]
Wednesday back Colorado
Wednesday back St Louis
Thursday back Los Angeles Angels

All games are live on ESPN America starting at 7.30 pm.