MLB Playoff Predictions: 5 Big Questions the Yankees Face Heading into October

Alright, folks. The New York Yankees have clinched the American League Eastern Division and secured home-field advantage through the ALCS, so it's time for me to let you know what that means.

It's time for all of us to take a break from celebrating this against-all-odds victory and ask the ultimate question: How far can our beloved Bronx Bombers go in October?

That's a very interesting circumstance to ponder as the Yankees now take the next step in the quest for championship No. 28. After falling to the Texas Rangers in the 2010 ALCS, it's no secret that the team is out for revenge and ready to bring its A-game.

Yet, as multiple MLB postseasons have taught us, there are no guarantees and, in some cases, even the greatest of underdogs can be the last man standing. I mean, come on—did anyone honestly think the San Francisco Giants would beat Cliff Lee and the Texas Rangers last year? I sure didn't.

That being said, let's tackle five questions that the New York Yankees will face heading into October.

No. 5: Should Bartolo Colon or Freddy Garcia Be the No. 3 Starter?

This is a question I've thought about for quite some time. Regarding the Yankees' playoff rotation, the first two guys should obviously be C.C. Sabathia and potential Rookie of the Year Ivan Nova. After that, however, it gets a little tricky.

The Yankees had two absolute surprises this year in Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon, who joined the Bronx Bombers on minor league contracts in spring training. Sure enough, both impressed enough to make the major league roster.

On the year, Colon has gone 8-10 with a 4.02 ERA; Garcia has gone 12-8 with an ERA of 3.62. The numbers don't lie—this is a close race.

Yet, when push comes to shove, I need to go with Garcia in this instance. As surprisingly good as Colon has been this year, his stuff is one-sided. The last thing the Yankees need is a predominantly fastball pitcher throwing to a free-swinging team who will light up the scoreboard.

Garcia and his low-velocity arsenal are more likely to induce contact, but the odds of him giving up a home run are less. Considering how he just threw six innings of shutout ball against the arch-rival Boston Red Sox, that should be enough of a reason to give him the job.

Also, no offense to Colon, but Garcia is in way better shape.

No. 4: Should Phil Hughes Be in the Rotation or in the Bullpen?

After a decent 2010, Phil Hughes greatly regressed in 2011. He got off to a horrible start and spent months on the disabled list nursing what was called a "dead arm." Whatever it was, it made him lose his velocity.

Hughes came back in the second half of the season and showed general improvement, but with a crowded pitching staff his role during the playoffs has been highly debated.

Should he start or pitch out of the bullpen?

Well, let's take a look at Hughes's playoff career and analyze the numbers.

In 2009, Hughes was used primarily out of the bullpen as the Yankees went on to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. He appeared in nine games, but scattered 11 hits over 6.1 innings and posted a high ERA of 8.53. As a starter last year, he went 1-2 in three starts while posting a 6.32 ERA.

So, when push comes to shove, the numbers don't really help. I personally believe, however, that Hughes should be used out of the 'pen. The four main starters should be Sabathia, Nova, Garcia and Colon, with Hughes serving as the long man in the event that one of them has a horrible start.

His arsenal has enough that it could stop any rally and it could hopefully prepare Hughes for next season.

No. 3: Will Alex Rodriguez Be Able To Stay Healthy and Produce?

This year has been borderline forgettable for Alex Rodriguez.

Injuries to his knee and thumb have limited him to 96 games and, despite posting an average of .278 with 16 home runs and 62 RBI, 2011 will mark the first year since 1997 that he hasn't hit at least 30 home runs and driven in at least 100 RBI.

That all being said, the question poses itself: Can A-Rod remain healthy throughout the playoffs and, more importantly, will he produce?

Well, the answer to that is simple.

Of course he can stay healthy and he will produce! 

Just because Rodriguez is getting older (he's 36) doesn't mean he's any less the player he was before.

For the sake of the argument, let's just say that he does get injured during the playoffs and isn't at his best. The Yankees were just fine without him while he recovered from knee surgery and there is no reason to believe that the team would suffer greatly without him in October.

No. 2: Can the Offense as a Whole Hold Up?

For those who are still suffering from the humiliation of last year's ALCS, you'll remember that from August until Neftali Feliz struck out Curtis Granderson, the Yankees offense was very inconsistent. 

The lack of run support down the stretch is what led to the team clinching the Wild Card and not the division. Sure enough, despite a three-game sweep in the ALDS, the team looked lost at the plate in the next round and lost in six games.

Before we go pointing any fingers, it should be noted that the Yankees were pretty banged up heading into the playoffs last year. Mark Teixeira was playing with a broken toe, Jeter was slumping and everyone else just seemed to be in a funk.

Sure enough, that is different this year.

Players like Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano have had MVP-caliber seasons that they will surely ride into October. This team is playing with a confidence I have never seen before considering they were labeled as underdogs from the start of spring training right up until they moved into first place for good.

As long as they keep playing game to game and going into each contest with zero expectations, the production at the plate will be just fine.

No. 1: Should A.J. Burnett Have Any Role Whatsoever?

I don't care that he threw 7.2 innings yesterday and gave up just two runs in getting the win against the Red Sox. Yankees manager Joe Girardi should go into the postseason using this as his mantra:

DO NOT USE A.J. BURNETT UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

Seriously, folks.

2011 was another bad year for the team's $82.5 million right-hander. He went 11-11 with a 5.16 ERA and horrific 1.44 WHIP. Also, let's not forget that he is 1-2 with a 5.67 ERA in six career playoff starts, all with the Yankees.

Remember how I said that Hughes should be used out of the bullpen in the playoffs? The same should be done with A.J. Burnett—regardless of his price tag. Having two long men in the bullpen is beneficial in the event that the regular starters have consecutive bad starts.

That being said, unless it's out of the bullpen, A.J. Burnett shouldn't even be a factor on this year's postseason roster. He can cheer from the dugout, but nothing more. If Girardi wants to bring the trophy home again, he should seriously consider this approach.

Now, it's time to get the pre-postseason celebrations going and that means there is just one thing left to say: LET'S GO YANKEES!!!