MLB Playoffs 2011: 5 Questions the Yankees Need to Answer This Postseason

Coming off a dominant performance against the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the ALDS, the Yankees have to feel good about their team at the beginning of the postseason.

Despite this, there are still several questions the Yankees need to answer to figure out if this team is a pretender or contender. Will we see the Yankees return to the promised land, or will they be making an early exit this postseason?

Is the Bullpen as Good as Advertised?

This bullpen brings back memories of the Mike Stanton-Jeff Nelson-Mariano Rivera dynasty the Yankees had in the '90s.

Yankee starters only needed to get through six innings and this trio would take care of the rest.  This Yankee’s bullpen features a David Robertson-Rafael Soriano-Mariano Rivera trio.  Can this trio take the pressure of the Yankee starters and close teams out at the end of the game?

How Much Does A-Rod Have Left in the Tank?

In 2009, A-Rod erupted in the post-season and changed his legacy from someone who seemed to fade away in the postseason to hitting multiple game tying and walk-off home runs on the way to a World Series victory.  The Yankees had won their World Series, and A-Rod seemed to finally fit in as a Yankee.

However, A-Rod now seems to have a different injury every month.  At age 36, his body seems to be breaking down as he has had issues with his knee, thumb, and a torn labrum.  The effects of old age (and quite possibly steroid use earlier in his career) are having their effect on A-Rod.  Is there enough gas left in the tank for him to be a key contributor, or is the old A-Rod just a distant memory?

Can Freddy Garcia and A. J. Burnett Deliver?

The front end of the Yankee rotation is solid.  You can pencil in a good outing almost every time from CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova every time they take the ball.  However, the back end of the rotation is suspect at best.

Freddy Garcia has had a bounce back year with the Yankees, going 12-8 with 3.62 ERA.  The down side, he is 35 and simply cannot overpower hitters like he could in the prime of his career.  A.J Burnett has an ERA over five and has been inconsistent all season long.  Can the Yankees count on these two to give them six innings in Games 2 and 4?

Can the Bats Come Alive?

Last postseason, the Yankee offense was stagnant going against the Texas Rangers in the ALCS.  Last night Robinson Cano had six RBI hitting from the 3-hole, and for the season, only his teammate Curtis Granderson had more RBI in the American League.  After a disappointing offense last season, can these two MVP candidates lead the Yankees offense and produce in the postseason?

Is This the End of the Road for Jorge?

Jorge Posada is one of the few members of the Yankees that remain from the Championship teams from the '90s.  He has struggled mightily from the plate and was moved from catcher to DH last offseason due to his declining defensive skills and the signing of Russell Martin.

With the emergence of Jesus Montero over the past month, the tension between Posada and Joe Girardi, and his lack of consistent production, will this offseason be the last we see of Jorge Posada in pinstripes and has the time come to let Jesus Montero play full-time?