5 Reasons New York Yankees-Texas Rangers Series Will Preview the 2012 ALCS

The New York Yankees and Texas Rangers are two of the best teams in the American League on paper. As the season moves along, I have no doubt in my mind that they will further prove that by making it to the playoffs.

Whether that comes by winning their respective divisions or by wild card remains to be seen.

Either way, these two teams have all the goods to go deep into the playoffs and that means this could be a possible matchup in the American League Championship series this season.

For the first time in 2012, these two teams will square off on Monday and here's why this week's series is a preview of an ALCS matchup between the Yanks and Rangers.

Starting Rotations

One thing that will help both of these teams advance deep into the playoffs is their starting pitching.

We all know how important reliable arms are during the season and especially in the playoffs. New York and Texas have two of the deeper rotations in the AL.

While the Yanks' rotation isn't off to a great start, they will be getting Andy Pettitte back sometime in early May as insurance. Alongside CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova, the Bombers have three dependable starters to lean on during 2012.

New York should have no problem getting sufficient pitching from the back-end of their rotation which by merit consists of any combination of Hiroki Kuroda, Freddy Garcia and/or Phil Hughes.

If that fails, the Yanks can look to David Phelps who has been flourishing so far as the team's long man. And then, there is always trades and we know that is always an option for the Yankees.

Texas has seen different fortunes thus far in 2012.

Their predictably deep rotation has gotten the job done and while Yu Darvish isn't there yet, he has certainly shown flashes and is coming along quite nicely for the Rangers.

The Rangers other four starters have been rock solid as Colby Lewis, Matt Harrison, Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz have ERAs of around three or lower thus far.

Harrison has been particularly good at 3-0 with a 1.66 ERA.

Texas has one of, if not the deepest, rotations in Major League Baseball and certainly less question marks than that of the Yankees.

Offense

If you were to say the Rangers and Yankees have the two best offenses in baseball, there aren't many people who would argue with you unless they live under a rock.

In 2011, both teams were in the top five driving in runs and it looks like 2012 will be no different.

The Yankees are littered with All-Stars and future Hall of Famers with a ton of power and one hell of a matchup nightmare with a slew of mixed lefties and righties. 

For a manager who does things by the numbers, the Yanks are tough to plan for. It's a good thing Joe Girardi doesn't have to manage against his own team otherwise you'd see a new shade of gray in his aging hair.

The Rangers can easily match the Yanks power led by slugger Josh Hamilton who is tearing the cover off the ball so far in 2012. The only difference is Texas' hitters can hit for slightly better averages.

Bottom line: Both teams have elite lineups and can survive a bad pitching night simply by bashing the ball all over the field.

Bullpens

In 2011, the Yankees sported one of the best bullpens in baseball while the Rangers were near the bottom of the league in the same category.

But in 2012, the Rangers are much improved so far and are pitching to an ERA that's almost two runs fewer than last season.

Joe Nathan will bolster the back-end of the Rangers' bullpen after Feliz moved to the rotation. Mike Adams and Alexei Ogando will get the ball to Texas' closer and that should be more than enough to give this team a great 'pen.

The Yankees are all set in the bullpen, barring injury, and are picking up from where they left off in 2011.

David Robertson made the most of his opportunities last season and made a well-deserved All-Star appearance after posting a 1.08 ERA as the team's setup man.

Rafael Soriano was once the league's saves leader and now is the highest-paid seventh-inning pitcher in MLB history. His presence in that role speaks to the depth of the Bombers' 'pen.

And that guy, Mariano Rivera. He's pretty good too.

Bullpens are huge in the playoffs and I don't see either one of these teams having a problem in that department this season.

Playoff Experience

The Yankees have been regulars in the postseason for nearly two decades now and the Rangers are just joining the party on a consistent basis.

Both teams depth of talent and ability to spend money in order to bring in players means these teams aren't going anywhere.

Guys like Josh Hamilton and Robinson Cano can both single-handedly take over a playoff series when they're hot and certainly both lineups contain multiple hitters that fit that mold.

With Sabathia, Nova and Pettitte, the Yanks have starters who have had great success in past playoffs and their bullpen is no different.

Texas' youthful rotation already has two years of experience pitching deep into the playoffs and a bullpen that can only go up the more chances they get in the playoffs.

The more these two teams are in the playoffs, the more ready their pitchers will be for the big moments each and every year. In any given series, these two teams have the experience advantage over most teams they face.

Dealing with pressure can often be the difference between being a perennial playoff team and a dynasty.

Class of AL East/West

The Yankees aren't the clear-cut best team in their division, but they are certainly one of two teams who can be considered while the rest are further behind.

Despite the Los Angeles Angels' moves during the offseason, they still have a ways to go until they can prove they are better than the Rangers. At this point, the Rangers are certainly the class of the AL West and need to be knocked off their throne if that's possible.

All that being said, both of these teams are elite teams in their own divisions and that gives both a better chance of winning their division and avoiding the one-game Russian roulette that is the new MLB playoff system.

I'd bet on the Yanks and Rangers in a seven-game series, but in a single game where anything can happen? Thanks, but no thanks. I'll hold onto my money instead.

Getting far in the playoffs starts with securing yourself in them in the first place. Winning the division does just that.