It Comes Down to This

For the first time in baseball history the Division Series will see all four series' go to a decisive fifth game.

The San Francisco Giants completed an improbable comeback yesterday in Cincinnati, taking three straight on the road and enabling them to reach their second National League Championship Series in three years. In the Oakland, the Detroit Tigers ended the A's Cinderella season by riding the arm of Justin Verlander all the in the American League Championship Series.

With that there is four teams left fighting for the final two spots in baseball's version of the Final Four.

Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees
Tonight in the Bronx will be the 23rd time this season these two teams play one another with the first 22 being even as can be, 11 wins each. It's only fitting that two teams that battled all year for a division crown will have one game between them to decide the fate of their season, not to mention the fact they will win the season series.

Alex Rodriguez's struggles have forced
him to the bench in Game 5.

The biggest news heading into Game 5 is the decision of New York manager Joe Girardi to sit a struggling Alex Rodriguez in the most the team's most important game all season.

Rodriguez's postseason struggles, not only this season, but throughout his career, have been well documented. Many believed he exercised those demons when he hit .365 with six home runs and 18 RBIs in the 2009 postseason en route to his first World Series title and New York's 27th in franchise history.

However, he has made the last out in each of the last two Yankee seasons and hasn't hit a postseason home run in 79 at-bats. His last coming in the 2009 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The decision shouldn't come as much of a surprise after Girardi decided to pinch-hit for the 14-time All-Star in each of the last two games with the game on the line. Rodriguez has two hits in 16 at-bats this postseason with nine strikeouts. He does not have a hit against a right-handed pitcher and is the main reason why Girardi elected to sit him against Baltimore's Jason Hammel.

But in a way it's a double-edged sword for the simple fact Rodriguez has hammered Hammel throughout his career. In 22 career at-bats against the 6-foot-6 righty from Greenville, Rodriguez has eight hits, four in which have left the yard. That is a .364 average.

Veteran Eric Chavez, who started 50 games at third base this season when Rodriguez went down with a broken hand, will start in his place and bat ninth.

Chavez has only faced Hammel six times in his career with one hit, but that one hit just happened to be a home run.

Rodriguez isn't the only Yankee struggling to find his stride, in fact some players have been worse. Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher are a combined 3-for-31 with 12 strikeouts and only one run drive in. But with Andruw Jones left on the playoff roster and Brett Gardner has all of three at-bats since April 17, Girardi doesn't have another viable option in the outfield like he does with Chavez at third.

Cano is hitting just .111, but has driven in four of the 11 Yankee runs this series.

All that being said, as the old cliche goes, momentum is only as good as your next day's starting pitcher and New York wouldn't have any one else on the mound tonight in the Bronx. Girardi gives the ball to CC Sabathia after a stellar, 120-pitch performance in Game 1 of this series. Sabathia is 5-0 in six career ALDS starts and 8-3 in the postseason since joining the Yankees prior to the '09 season.

For the Orioles, their offense has struggled just as much.

Jason Hammel was the Orioles best pitcher
much of the first half and they need him
to be that in Game 5.

Adam Jones, who many believe is a dark horse in the AL Most Valuable Player discussion, and Matt Wieters are both batting just over 100 and have to drive in a run. Jones just .105 (2-for-19) and Wieters at .118 (2-for-17). Mark Reynolds and rookie Manny Machado are among the two Baltimore regulars that are batting under .200.

Nate McLouth has really carried the Orioles offense in this series with 11 total bases and a team-leading five RBIs. McLouth is also the only member of Baltimore starting eight that has a batting average over .300 (.318).

But the Baltimore pitching staff has kept the Yankee bats at bay which continues to be the best way to counter a struggling offense. The Orioles starters have posted a 1.85 earned run average through the first four games of the series, but really it has been the work of Buck Showalter and his bullpen that tell the story.

Aside of their All-Star closer Jim Johnson struggling in two of his four outing against New York and allowing six runs (five earned), the bullpen has been nails. Showalter has used six other arms out of the 'pen outside of Johnson and they have tossed 13 brilliant innings. In those innings they have allowed just one earned run and that of course being Raul Ibanez's walk-off home run in the 12th inning of Game 3. Their ERA is a video game-like 0.69 with 13 strikeouts and only have allowed 12 base runners (seven hits, five walks).

Ten different times the Orioles caught the Yankees in the standings during the regular season, but never let them pass them. Even this postseason, every time the Yankees have won a game, the Orioles have come back with a victory. Is today the day they finally pass them?

I guess we'll find out.

BAL X-Factor: Adam Jones
NYY X-Factor: Curtis Granderson

NYY wins, 4-2

The Cashman

Cashman has served at the helm for the last
14 years with three years just added on.

A day after coming to terms on a contract extension with ace CC Sabathia, the New York Yankees they have agreed to bring back their longtime general manager, Brian Cashman.

He will also remain at his post as the club's senior vice president.

Cashman is coming a three-year $6 million deal he signed after the 2008 season, despite have New York miss the postseason that year for the first time in his tenure as GM. This contract is said to be worth about $9 million over another three years, a raise he well deserved.

In 2009, he was the architect of the franchise's 27th world championship team after hitting it big in the free-agent market, signing marquee players Mark Teixeira, A.J. Burnett and Sabathia. In 2010, New York returned to the American League Championship Series, where they would be dethroned by the Texas Rangers in six games.

2011 might have been Cashman's best work, but he won't say that as the Yankees came up short of their ultimate goal, a World Series title.

Even though the 44-year-old GM had to deal with the retirement of old reliable, Andy Pettitte, and watching prized left-hander Cliff Lee ink a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, Cashman was able to mend together an overachieving pitching staff.

Cashman signed veterans Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon to Minor League contracts, both whom made the 25-man roster out of spring training and it didn't stop there. The right-handers played significant roles in New York's success this past season, including Garcia starting Game 2 of the ALDS and them combining for 20 wins during the regular season.

He is also responsible for signing backstop Russell Martin, who might be the steal of last winter, Eric Chavez and Andruw Jones, both whom had fantastic first years in pinstripes.

The Yankees went on to exceeded expectations and win their 17th AL East title, their 11th since Cashman took over as GM. Originally joining the organization as an intern in 1986 for the Minor League and Scouting Department. He was promoted to GM in February of 1998 when his predecessor, Bob Watson, decided to retire and since has been a staple atop the Yankee front office.

During his tenure, New York has made the postseason in 13 out of the last 14 seasons, racked up five 100-win seasons, six AL pennants and four World Series titles. Cashman also holds the highest winning percentage (.605) throughout Major League Baseball since '98, which is the highest of any GM since 1950 with at least five years of experience.

However, in Yankee Universe, those accomplishments are a thing of the past and Cashman is faced the daunting task of rebuilding New York's rotation once again.

A Fist To The Face

Fister was the steal of this years July 31st
trade dealine.

Heading into hallow yet treacherous territory, the Detroit Tigers entered Yankee Stadium with an abundance of confidence not only in themselves, but in their lanky right-hander Doug Fister.

After having a forgettable what was technically a relief outing in Game 1 of the series, Fister was absolutely brilliant in the biggest game of his career, throwing five high stress but gritty innings against the heavily powered New York Yankee lineup.

Back-to-back home runs off the bats of Don Kelly and Delmon Young in the first gave Detroit the early momentum, something they never relinquished.

Both of those home runs came off New York's rookie right-hander Ivan Nova, a 16-game winner during the regular season. Nova would only make it through the first two innings, leaving the game what was said to be forearm tightness, causing manager Joe Girardi to dip into his bullpen soon than he would have liked.

Phil Hughes and the often used Boone Logan got the Yankees through the third and fourth with two scoreless innings combined, giving the Bronx Bombers a chance to inch closer in the home half of the fourth.

New York loaded the bases and with only one out and catcher Russell Martin stepping to the plate. Girardi's squad had plenty of success this season with the bases full. Not only did the his team lead the majors with 222 home runs during the regular, but 10 of those were good enough for grand slams, also leading the majors. Three came in an 22-9 rout of the Oakland Athletics in a game back in August, setting a major league record.

Fister got Martin to pop to the infield, putting the infield fly rule in affect immediately and then after falling behind 3-1 in the count to the speedster Brett Gardner, the 6-foot-8 Fister got Gardner to pop up to Kelly at third in foul territory, ending the threat and preserving his 2-0 lead.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland stated before the game that his ace and this year's front-runner for the AL Cy Young Justin Verlander was unavailable out of the bullpen. That was not the case for New York as their ace C.C. Sabathia came to the mound in the fifth.

After allowing a leadoff double to Austin Jackson, Sabathia struck out back-to-back batters for the innings first two outs. Faced with the tough decision to pitch to 2011 batting champion Miguel Cabrera with a base open, Girardi opted to walk Cabrera and face Victor Martinez, who led the majors with a .394 average with RISP.

Martinez made them pay with an RBI single right back up the box, tacking on an insurance run that would prove to be costly.

Cano quickly responded with his second home run of the series, cutting the lead back to two, 3-1.

Fister lasted only the five innings, but is the obvious steal of this years July 31st trading deadline not only because of his 8-1 record since the trade to Detroit, but after pitching the most important game of his career and delivering on baseball's biggest stage.

General Manager Dave Dombroski deserves a lot credit for some of his deadline acquisitions and success of this Tiger club.

Leyland turned the game over to his bullpen and rather than Verlander it would be another starter emerging from the pen. Max Scherzer, who pitched a masterful Game 2 in the Bronx, was ready for more. And after a relatively clean first inning of relief, Scherzer gave way to set-up man Joaquin Benoit in the seventh.

Benoit was greeted by a little bit of gamesmanship after being asked by the Yankees to remove an over sized bandage on the left side of his face because of the distraction it might cause to the hitters. There is no question it rattled the Santiago native and Detroit found the bases loaded once again with only one out, giving the Yankees their final shot at a comeback.

The right-hander got Alex Rodriguez on strucks and after forcing in a run with a walk to Mark Teixeria, Benoit deposed of Nick Swisher on a fastball that appeared to be out of the strike zone, somehow maneuvering his way out of trouble with a 3-2 lead.

New York had one last glimpse of hope in the bottom of the eighth. With Gardner at first and two outs, Derek Jeter launched a deep drive to right field only to see in settle into the glove of Kelly just shy of the wall.

I bet Jeter and Yankee fans were asking, where's Jeffrey Maier when you need him?

Rodriguez batted .111 this postseason,
without an extra-base hit.

In the ninth, Detroit called upon closer Jose Valverde, who said the series would not even come back to New York days earlier, pitched a perfect inning, getting Rodriguez to struck out. It was the second straight year Rodriguez had struck out to end the Yankees' season.

When that final out was recorded, longtime Yankee icon Jorge Posada, who batted .429 in the series and got on base eleven times, watched from the top step of the dugout in disbelief. It has been said with his contract expiring and youngsters ready to take the next step, that could have very well been the finally game for Posada in that trademark pinstripe information.

If in fact that becomes the case, the final memory Yankee fans will have of Posada is not the weak ground ball to shortstop Jhonny Peralta he hit in his final at-bat as a Yankee, but the true professionalism and class he showed for seventeen years.

Now the Tigers are right where the want to be, their ace on the mound for Game 1 of the ALCS Saturday night in Rangers Ballpark in Arilington, while New Yorkers experience another failed season.

Maybe Girardi should ask Benoit for a band-aid to help heal the wounds.

Yo Adrian!

Beltre joined elite company Tuesday with
3 solo home runs at the Trop.

With the Texas Rangers one win away from their second straight trip to the American League Championship Series, offseason acquisition Adrian Beltre carried the load with a Reggie-esk performance Tuesday afternoon in Tampa Bay.

Beltre homered on his first three trips to the plate against two Rays' rookie hurlers, almost single-handedly punching Texas' ticket to the next round.

The 32-year-old native of Santo Domingo came into the game 1-11 in the series and a .214 lifetime hitter in the postseason, never recording an extra-base hit. That all changed in St. Pete after accumulating 12 total bases in the team's 4-3 victory. Beltre is the sixth player in postseason history to hit three home runs in a single game and it's only the seventh it has been done. The mystical Babe Ruth is the only player to accomplish that feat twice, both coming in World Series games.

Prior to signing a six-year $96 million contract with the Rangers this winter, Beltre had been coming off one of his best seasons of his career after four sub par seasons in Seattle. Despite batting .321 with 28 home runs, 102 RBIs and a career-high 49 doubles with the Red Sox in 2010, he was pushed out.

After Boston acquired All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego and home-grown Kevin Youkilis set to return to his original position at the hot corner, Beltre was the odd man out.

Looks like their loss.

With the Red Sox sitting home after an epic September collapse, Beltre, who has historical has only played well during contract years, has enjoyed a fantastic first season in Arlington. He hit 32 home runs and drove in 105 RBI for Ron Washington's Rangers, making his straight All-Star appearance while playing a Gold Glove third base.

Second baseman Ian Kinsler got the scoring started with a leadoff home run in the first inning, hitting one of the four solo shots by the Rangers in their series-clinching Game 4 victory.

Left-hander Matt Harrison. who was left off the postseason roster a year ago, was sharp earning his first postseason victory with five quality innings and matching his career high in strike outs with nine.

As for the Tampa Bay Rays, the clock finally struck midnight on their Cinderella run.

It is the second straight season the Rangers have ousted Tampa Bay from the postseason in the ALDS. It was the Rays inability to win postseason home games that eventually did them in. With their loss Tuesday, that ultimately ended their fairy tale season, they have now lost five straight home playoff games to Texas dating back to last season.

Beltre and Co. look to continue to ride the postseason wave and await their opponent for the ALCS.

Mariano is a Cut Above

Rivera has arguably the greatest entrance
in sports.

Sunday night New York Yankee closer Mariano Rivera recorded his seventh save of the season in as many chances.

It was his 566th save of his career, leaving him trailing the recently retired Trevor Hoffman by only 35 for the all-time mark at 601. With Rivera signing a two-year deal in the offseason with the Yankees, you can almost ensure he will leave the game as the all-time saves leader.

A record that once it's set might be unbreakable.

In June of 2009, Rivera became only the second player in Major League history to reach 500-save plateau, joining obviously only Hoffman. He will soon be the second member to join the elusive 600 club. But it's not Rivera's regular season numbers, but his postseason numbers that set him apart from any other reliever to toe the rubber.

Rivera's breakout season was in 1996 as the setup man to closer John Wetteland, when he pitched in still a career-high 107.2 innings with a 130 strike outs. With that formula, the Yankees would go on to win their first World Series title since 1978, beginning the start of what could have been baseball's last dynasty.

In 1997, Rivera was named the closer as Wetteland signed with the Texas Rangers as a free agent. Rivera would have another great season, recording 43 saves in his first season as a closer.

However, that year Rivera suffered one of his only scars in the postseason, surrendering a game-tying home run to Sandy Alomar Jr. in Game 4 of the American League Division Series. New York would go on to lose the series in five games. With Rivera looking discouraged after the defeat, then-Yankee manager Joe Torre said something that might have alter the course of Rivera's career. "You're my closer as long as I am here," Torre said.

Since that time, Rivera has been the most dominant reliever the game has ever seen. In 94 career postseason games, Rivera has posted an 8-1 record with a 0.71 earned run average and a Major League record 42 saves, matching the number on his back. Rivera has seemingly done it with one devastating pitch, his cut fastball.

With his impeccable control and late life, Rivera has broken countless big league bats.

Rivera has always carried himself as a true professional and constantly crediting the Lord with the gift he was given.

Now, at age 41, Rivera continues to lose a little giddy-up on his fastball. Once throwing in the mid-to-upper 90s, Rivera consistently throws in the upper 80s to low 90s, but the results are much in the same.

In nine games this season, the ageless right-hander has not allowed a run, giving up only four hits, not walking a batter and holding opponents to a .143 average. Rivera's consistency over his 17-year career is what has made this run so unbelievable.

It's hard to believe that Rivera, who is thought to be the most valuable player to any team the past decade and a half, has never won the AL Cy Young Award, finishing as high as second back in 2005.

The eleven-time All-Star is the last player to wear the No. 42 after being able to continue to wear it when it was retired throughout Major League Baseball back in '97 to honor the late Jackie Robinson. It's only fitting that Rivera will be the last to wear a number that means so much to baseball after he has left such an imprint on the game.

Rivera seemingly looks timeless and will be coming out of the Yankee bullpen forever. That will not be the case, father time catches up to everyone eventually. Lets hope the Panama native is long since retired before that occurs.

When Rivera makes his final appearance for the Yankees he will enter to the opening strains of "Enter Sandman" and it will a be a sad, yet grand exit.