New York Yankees

The New York Yankees won game one of the American League Championship Series 6-5, defeating the Texas Rangers at home in dramatic fashion.

After looking stymied by the pitching of CJ Wilson throughout the first seven innings, the Yankees staged a ferocious comeback, scoring five runs in the eighth inning to take the lead.

How did the Yankees perform? I've graded the performances of CC Sabathia and other contributing factors to the Yankees victory.

Things didn't exactly begin as planned for the New York Yankees against the Rangers on Friday night in Texas, but a slow start meant little in a 6-5 comeback victory that secured them a 1-0 ALCS series lead.

This one had instant classic written all over it.

It didn’t start good for the New York Yankees' Super Ace CC Sabathia. He walked the leadoff runner, then let up a single to put men on the corners.

Tonight’s pitching showdown is between two lefties CC Sabathia vs. C.J. Wilson.

This morning we were talking Rangers with The Newberg Report and this evening we will be talking with a Rangers blogger.

CC Sabathia takes the mound against C.J. Wilson in Game 1 of the ALCS, and we’ll have recaps tonight.

Here are some notes:

The Yankees return to the ALCS for the second straight season, seeking another trip to the World Series. The Rangers have proven to be one of the best teams in the American League all year long and will try to knock New York from their throne.

Here are five bold predictions for the 2010 American League Championship Series.

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It’s down to two teams for the title of American League Champion. It appears it’s down to two players for the title of American League MVP. The two players will square off throughout the next week as the New York Yankees battle the Texas Rangers for the right to play in the World Series.

The New York Yankees need a fourth starter for the ALCS. But the one they named was wrong. It should not have been A.J. Burnett, but rather Ivan Nova.

Nova, whom the Yankees refused to trade, was a major reason that they didn't get Cliff Lee from the Mariners midseason. He has since justified their retaining him. Except for one very bad start that skewed his respectable 4.50 ERA upward, he has been quite a serviceable pitcher both as a starter and a reliever. And he's only 23, in his first season.

The World Series.

One of the most sacred events in the sports world. It goes without saying that getting there takes intense preparation, heart, skill and a little bit of luck.

The 162-game regular season is a grind, and it all boils down to even more baseball—October baseball, AKA: Baseball at its finest.

The Yankees have done all of this before, and this year they've completed one third of the postseason puzzle by sweeping the Minnesota Twins in the first round.