ALCS 2010: 5 Ways the New York Yankees Can Pull Out a Series Win

Away from home, down 3-2 in the series, the New York Yankees have their backs against the wall. The Texas Rangers have been phenomenal throughout the series, and they only need one more win to advance to their first World Series in franchise history. But we've seen the Yankees make miraculous comebacks before. Can they do it again? 

A-Rod, Swisher and Teixeira Find Their Bats

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees reacts as he walks back to the dugout after he struck out in the bottom of the seocnd inning against the Texas Rangers in Game Three of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stad

Add these three superstars’ ALCS batting averages together and Josh Hamilton would still have a better average. And it’s not like Hamilton’s average is out this world either: he’s batting .316.

If these three continue to struggle, the Yankees have no chance of advancing. 

Phil Hughes Pitches Like an 18-Game Winner

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 16: Starting pitcher Phil Hughes #65 of the New York Yankees is taken out of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning by Manager Joe Girardi #28 against the Texas Rangers in Game Two of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at R

Hughes dominated Twins hitting during the divisional series, pitching seven shutout innings in game three. Game two of the ALCS however, was a different story. Hughes was tagged for seven runs on ten hits in only four innings of work.

Hughes will look for redemption in game six, but it won’t be easy as hit counterpart Colby Lewis has a 1.69 ERA through two postseason starts. 

Mitch Moreland and Bengie Molina Come Back to Earth

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: Bengie Molina #11 of the Texas Rangers celebrates with Nelson Cruz #17 after hitting a three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning against A.J. Burnett #34 of the New York Yankees in Game Four of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB

Moreland and Molina batted a combined .504 during the regular season. But their combined average during this series is .817, with each of them batting over .400.

Winning a World Series takes superstars as well as some guys who play well above their career averages. Moreland and Molina are doing that now. 

Improved Pitching

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Texas Rangers in Game Five of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 20, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Get

The combined ERA from Yankee starting pitchers during the ALCS is 8.03. I don’t care who are, you’re not going to win a championship series with your pitchers allowing eight runs per nine innings.

Luckily for the Yankees, if they can force game seven, it will likely be Andy Pettitte on the mound for them, whose 2.57 ERA during this series is the best in the rotation.

Figure out How To Hit Cliff Lee

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: Cliff Lee #33 of the Texas Rangers throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in Game Three of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

How do you beat a guy who doesn’t give up any runs? That’s the question Yankees hitters will have to find the answer to if they have any hope of advancing to their second straight World Series.

In his game three outing, Lee pitched eight innings, allowing two hits and no runs. He struck out 13.