YES Network.com

It was fun while it lasted, but all good things must come to an end. That's what happened with the YES Blog. The good news is that I'll be coming to you from my new blog Meet at the Bat, a name that means so much to me. I know people might say I'm living in the past, but in all of my years growing up and going to Yankees games I always would meet the other people going to the game with me at the big bat in front of Yankee Stadium. That was a great meeting place because everyone knew where the big bat was and now my new blog will be a good meeting place for everyone out there that wants to get some good Yankees news and information.
 
Speaking of the Yankees, they don't even know who they are playing yet in the first round. The team should personally send the NFL and ESPN some parting gifts for scheduling Favre and the Vikings against his old team the Green Bay Packers on Monday night at the Metrodome. Having the play-in game delayed till Tuesday at 5:00 PM is truly advantage Yankees for whoever they wind up playing. The Tigers will be starting Rick Porcello, who at 14-9 with a 4.04 ERA, will now not be available till at least game three. Now I know many people will say that's where he was going to start in the series anyway, but there was a possibility that he was going to be the game one or two starter being that Verlander just pitched on Sunday and Edwin Jackson pitched terribly down the stretch. In Jackson's last eight starts of the season, he was 3-4 with a 6.08 ERA, raising his season ERA from 2.86 to 3.62 over that span.
 
As for the Twins, they have to use Scott Baker on Tuesday and if they win that would really make the ALDS advantage Yankees. Scott Baker is 15-9 this season and without a doubt the Twins best starter. He would not be available until at least game three and would only be able to pitch once in the series.
 
To me the play-in game is the best possible scenario that could have happened for the Yankees, who get to rest up and set their roster and pitching staff the way they want. It's going to be all hands on deck for both managers in this Tigers-Twins game, meaning they could possibly drain their bullpen dry. Factor in all of this, with the winner celebrating their division crown, flying out that night to get to New York and play game one of the ALDS 24-hours later. Game one should be a distinct advantage to the Yankees, who need to take advantage of the baseball gods giving them this gift.