CC + MO = SUCCESS!

The formula last night in Game One of the ALCS was simple for the Yankees, have your ace, CC Sabathia, get the ball to your closer, Mariano Rivera. That's exactly what they did as they went up 1-0 on the Angels. CC was dominant for 8 innings and 113 pitches, culminating with a well-deserved fist-pumping strike out. Then Mo came out and took care of business in the 9th. Perfect for a 4-1 win.

The players were bundled up, looking like ninjas, as they played through grueling cold and drizzle in a 3+ hour game. Maybe the cold affected the Angels sensibilities more as the usually flawless gold glovers netted four errors on the night, including an inexplicable dropped infield pop-up between Chone Figgins and Erick Aybar. That first inning gaff set the tone for the rest of the night. You had to feel sorry for an angry John Lackey, who pitched well despite his team.

Johnny Damon broke out of his slump with a couple of hits and runs scored, and Jeter, ARod, and Matsui continued their '09 post-season success. ARod awkwardly barrelled into catcher Jeff Mathis when he blew through a stop sign at third, but was out. Luckily, no one was hurt, and the run didn't matter. You can tell ARod doesn't really do things like that, as he should've went low and came up with the tackle, but you have to give him an A for effort!

Not more needs to be said though, the game really just came down to what Sabathia did on the mound. Tonight, again weather permitting, A.J. Burnett goes one-on-one with Joe Saunders, who hasn't pitched since October 4th. Will he be rusty? And can A.J. build upon his Division Series game? We'll see tonight.

Game Two of the NLDS was also played yesterday, but instead of the slobberknocker that was Game One, Pedro Martinez and Vincente Padilla engaged in an old-fashioned pitcher's duel. The Dodgers and Padilla ended up winning out, squeaking by with a 2-1 victory. That came after Charlie Manuel oddly took out Martinez after an economical and excellent 7 innings and 87 pitches. The Phillies then gave up a run on Chase Utley's throwing error, followed by J.A. Happ walking Andre Ethier with the bases loaded. I'm sorry, but how can Manuel have that much faith in that bullpen? This loss may come back to bite him. Broxton closed it out in the 9th. The two teams will continue their series tomorrow back in Philadelphia.