ALCS HERE WE COME!
Yankees Beat Minnesota in ALDS 3-1;
await winner of Oakland-Red Sox series

On Wednesday night the Minnesota Twins left Yankee Stadium with plenty to be happy about. They did what they set out to do, which was to gain at least a split in the Yankees' home park. They accomplished that in Game 1 with a 3-1 victory. The Yankees made misplays and looked as old as anyone could remember. The Yankees came back in Game 2 by beating the Twins 4-1 behind a bleed stopping performance by Andy Pettitte. However, the series was tied and Minnesota had home field advantage as the next two games were to be played in the friendly confines of the Metrodome. The Twins felt that the crowd noise would strike a little fear into the Yankees. Silly boys!

What the Twins forgot was that the New York Yankees play in front of the most fickle, noisy, critical and intimidating crowd in baseball. Ask Jason Giambi. Booed one minute and cheered like a conquering hero the next. After a day off on Friday, manager Joe Torre handed the ball for Game 3 to his elder stateman, Roger Clemens and told him to go forth. And go forth the Rocket did. Clemens, who at 41 should be sitting in a rocking chair, completely dominated the Twins. In 7 innings he only allowed only one earned run and five hits, while striking out 6 and walking one. Mariano Rivera, the Yanks ace closer, came in for the last two innings and slammed the door in the Twins face. The Yankees offense did just enough to help the Rocket win as Hideki Matsui hit a two-run home run in the 2nd inning, which were all the runs the Yankees needed enroute to a 3-1 victory.

With the Yankees up in their series 2 games to 1 Torre relied on his second oldest statesman, David Wells. Boomer took the rock and continued where Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens left off. Wells gave up only one run on eight hits, while fanning five and walking none as the Yankees took the final game in the series by pounding the Twins 8-1. The offense was lead by Alfonso Soriano (2-4, 2RBI), Nick Johnson (1-4, 2 RBI) and Derek Jeter (2-4, RBI). It could have been much worse as the Bombers left 12 men stranded.

The Yankees now travel home to New York City to await the winner of the Boston Red Sox-Oakland Athletics series, which is tied at 2 apiece. The Sox, who were down 2-0 to the A's, got the series even today with a come from behind 5-4 win. It is now Oakland who is feeling the pressure. They are one game from being ushered out of the ALDS yet again. This would be the fourth year in a row the Athletics would be "one and done."

I'm sure the Yankees will tell you they don't care who they face, but don't be fooled. Just like any true Yankees' fan they want the Boston Red Sox. Why? Because they are our fiercest rival and you want the Yankees to re-introduce the Sox to the "curse of the Bambino." We only have until tomorrow night to find out.

PLAY BALL!