MLB Playoffs 2011: Alex Rodriguez, 3 Hitters the Yankees Need Big Things from

Since 1995, the Yankees have only missed the playoffs once, in 2008. Still, with the exception of 2009, recent years haven't given them a lot of postseason success.

Since losing the 2001 World Series, the Yankees have been eliminated in the first round in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007. They also lost the ALCS in 2004 and 2010.

That's certainly a great run of success, but they expect championships in New York. That's the standard the Yankees have set for themselves.

Their pitching won't take them there. Other than CC Sabathia, they don't have the arms to match up with both teams.

To win the World Series, the Yankees will need to hit. I am not concerned with Derek Jeter or Robinson Cano. They have the kind of style that works in the playoffs.

If they are going to hit as a team, these three guys need to shine.

Brett Gardner

Jeter can still be a lethal player for opponents if he has men on base. Whether Gardner bats at the top of the order or at the bottom, he'll be given the opportunity to be on base when Jeter is up.

Gardner must find a way to get on base and then do damage when he is there. Jeter is still an elite gap-to-gap hitter. If he has a fast runner on base that's causing trouble for the pitcher and opposing defense, Jeter will be a top run producer.

Curtis Granderson

Granderson is one of many Yankee players that could fit in here, but I am going with him over someone like Mark Teixeira because of his overall ability.

If Teixeira isn't hitting for power, then he's not much of an offensive player. Granderson hit 41 homers, but also stole 25 bags.

As a run producer, he needs to be clutch. When Granderson has a chance to drive runners in, he can't squander it.

When runners aren't on base, Granderson needs to get on base and then make noise when he's there. I understand that stealing a base may take the bat out of a good hitter's hand, but the Yankees offense is filled with protection.

Alex Rodriguez

Let's take a look at Rodriguez's triple crown stats in the playoff series that he's taken part in while in a Yankees uniform.

Series	Avg.	HR	RBI	Result
2004 ALDS	.421	1	3	W
2004 ALCS	.258	2	5	L
2005 ALDS	.133	0	0	L
2006 ALDS	.071	0	0	L
2007 ALDS	.267	1	1	L
2009 ALDS	.455	2	6	W
2009 ALCS	.429	3	6	W
2009 WS	.250	1	6	W
2010 ALDS	.273	0	1	W
2010 ALCS	.190	0	2	L

Stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com

Are you noticing a theme? When Rodriguez hits, the Yankees win. When he doesn't, they lose. His days as an elite average hitter are gone, but Rodriguez can still drive in runs.

If the Yankees are going to win the World Series, he will need to do that against the Tigers and whatever other teams the Yankees come across.