Champs on the Ropes

The Yankees turn to CC Sabathia today to extend their season as Texas is just one win away from their first World Series. Actually, their first World Series in Texas. The Rangers franchise, as the Washington Senators, won the 1924 World Series and lost the World Series the next season and in 1933.
Anyway, the Rangers battered the Yankees into submission again last night, 10-3, the key blow being Bengie Molina's 3-run homer in the 6th off of A.J. Burnett. Burnett didn't pitch badly up to that point but he wasn't lockdown solid either. Watching the game you had the sense that it wasn't if he would implode, it would be when. When I see Burnett on the hill it reminds me of Andy Hawkins or Kevin Brown. Not quite Ed Whitson, but close.
Credit the Rangers. They stayed away from allowing the Yankees the big inning and have been able to tack on insurance runs when they get the lead.
As for the Yankees, only Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte have shown up. The rest of them have played like dogs...overpriced dogs.
Mark Teixiera is done for the playoffs with a pulled hamstring. He was 0-14 in the series before going down. The baseball Gods probably said, "We can't watch this guy any more. Give him a pulled hammy."
Alex Rodriguez has stunk as has Posada, Gardner and especially Nick Swisher who has left a ton of guys on base.
Are the Yanks finished? No. Is there hope? Yes.
The next three scheduled starters are Sabathia, Hughes and Pettitte. All capable of pitching a great game. The hitters could wake up at any moment. But instead of thinking of winning three in a row, they need to just win a game to get things moving in the right direction.
Meanwhile, the Rangers have to do what they've been doing. That is smacking the hell out of the ball, getting great pitching and playing excellent defense. They are also running wild on the Yankees. So long Texas stays relaxed and keeps the pressure on the Yanks, there is a good chance they wrap it up today.
Funny, Yankees fans wanted no part of Cliff Lee in a Game 7 situation. Now every single Yankee fan is saying, "Yeah, I'd love to see the Yanks get a crack at Lee in Game 7 in Texas."
Can the Yankees come back to win the series? Of course they can. Will they? I don't know but I wouldn't count them out.
Still, if Texas wins the ALCS I'll be pulling for them in the World Series. They are a tough team to dislike.