2010 MLB Playoffs: Five Reasons Why the Yankees Won't Repeat

First off, let me say that I'm a die-hard Yankees fan and I have been since I was six years old.  I'll be pulling for them to win number 28, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

This isn't the same team that won it all last year.

While they can pull it off, I think I've come up with five good reasons why they may have to wait until next year for 28.

Starting Pitching

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 23, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

In the picture is the workhorse, C.C. Sabathia.  He was a big factor—maybe the biggest—in helping the Yankees win the World Series last year.

But since he can only pitch two games per series, he's going to need some help.  He got that help last year.

This year, I'm not so sure.

A.J. Burnett has been a huge disappointment.

They didn't trust Javier Vazquez enough to even put him on the ALDS roster.

Phil Hughes started out well, but has tapered off a little as the season has been winding down.

Sabathia himself struggled for a couple of games down the stretch, but I think he'll be ok.  And he's going to have to be if one of the other starters doesn't come through.

And if the Yanks get past the ALDS and are forced to start four pitchers, who will be the fourth?

Burnett?  Maybe.

Vazquez?  He may not even make the ALCS roster, so we'll have to wait and see.

Will they take a chance on a rookie like Ivan Nova (who's also not on the ALDS roster) or Dustin Moseley?

First, let's worry about getting past the Twins, then we can figure out who the fourth starter will be.

Injuries/Age

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BOSTON - OCTOBER 2: Andy Pettitte #46 of the New York Yankees reacts during the first game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park October 2, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

There's a reason I didn't mention Andy Pettitte in the first slide.

Since his return from injury, Pettitte started three times and went 0-1.  He looked great in the first game, but was shaky in his last two.

He's one of the best postseason pitchers in history, though, so I think he'll be ok.

There are other injuries to potentially be concerned about.

It seems everyone short of Robinson Cano has been forced to sit out a few games due to some sort of injury.

A-Rod (legs), Teixeira (toe), Swisher (knee), and Gardner (wrist) have all missed some time, but all of them figure to play regularly during the postseason.

Captain Derek Jeter and catcher Jorge Posada haven't produced the numbers we're all used to seeing this year.  They obviously aren't getting any younger, but most people expect them to come up big when it counts.

With their lineup, the Yankees can still survive if one or even two players have to sit out a game for some reason.

As long as Pettitte isn't one of them.

Relief Pitching

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BOSTON - OCTOBER 2: Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees throws in the tenth inning in the first game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, October 2, 2010, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

This is where things could get a little dicey.

They were pretty good down the stretch, but there were some hiccups.

And Mariano Rivera provided a few of them.

In his last eight appearances, Rivera has blown three saves and allowed six earned runs.  That's unlike him, especially this time of year.

Joba Chamberlain has been shaky all year.

Two key relievers, lefty Damaso Marte and righty Alfredo Aceves, are on the DL and are unable to play in the postseason.  That leaves only two left-handed relievers on the bench, one of which (Royce Ring) is unproven.

Kerry Wood has been a real bright spot for the team, giving up only two runs since he joined the team at the trading deadline.

But the key, as always, will be Rivera.  If he's pitching well, then we Yankee fans can breathe a little easier.

No Home-Field Advantage

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ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 13: National League celebrates after their win in the 81st MLB All-Star Game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 13, 2010 in Anaheim, California. The National League defeated the American League 3-1 for their first win the All-Star Gam

This is arguably the easiest problem to overcome, but it could become an issue.

Since the Yankees lost the division, they obviously have to be the away team in the ALDS and ALCS.

And since the NL (finally) won the All-Star game, the World Series will be played more often in the NL park.

There are a couple of key things to think about here.

CC Sabathia is nearly unstoppable in Yankee Stadium.  The problem is, he won't get to pitch there often in the postseason, if at all.  With there not being as many days off in between games like there were last year, Sabathia will likely only pitch two games per series at the most, with only one of them coming at home.  

Luckily for CC, he's pretty much good everywhere so this may not pose much of a problem.

The new Yankee Stadium is a hitter-friendly park, though, especially when it comes to home runs.  With fewer games there this time around, the "Bronx Bombers" are going to have to bomb them more often somewhere else.

Again, I don't see this as being a big issue compared to other factors, but everyone would obviously like to play in their home stadium.

Stronger Competition

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 2: Members of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after the game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on October 2, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

I personally believe that the teams in the postseason this year are miles better than they were last year.

Of the three teams (Yanks, Phillies, and Twins) that made it back to the postseason from last year, the Yankees seem to be weaker than the other two.

The lack of quality starts from Burnett, the uncertainty of Pettitte, and the loss of experience in Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui are all key points when making a comparison to last year's World Series champions.

The Twins ran away late with their division and I expect Joe Mauer and company to bring it.

With the addition of Cliff Lee, the Rangers, who always give the Yankees trouble, are a force.  If Josh Hamilton is healthy, they could go a long way.

Tampa Bay may be the scariest team of them all in the AL.  I think they're better than the Red Sox or Angels were last year.  David Price is a stud, and they have great speed and talent at all positions.

As a whole, I think the AL is stronger than the NL, but the NL probably has the best overall team in the Philadelphia Phillies.

In addition to one of the best lineups in baseball, they greatly improved on their starting rotation.  The name Halladay rings a bell.

I'm rooting for Bobby Cox in his farewell, but the Atlanta Braves are a little banged up.  They do have a great starting rotation however.

The San Francisco Giants will live and die by Tim Lincecum, so we'll have to see.

The Cincinnati Reds are in the postseason for the first time since Bill Clinton was president, so the fans are probably just happy to see them in.  They are a good team, but I don't see them getting past the Phillies.

Final Thoughts

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays during their game on September 21, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

My prediction is this:  The Yankees will get by the Twins, because they usually do.  Either matchup in the ALCS is tough and I'm not sure they'll get by.

If they do, I still don't see anyone beating the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series.

But that's just one man's opinion.

So what does everyone else think?