The Twins didn’t have much of a chance in this game as they didn’t hit much and the Yankees got to starting pitcher Brian Duensing quickly. Duensing pitched 3 1/3 innings allowing 7 hits and 5 earned runs as he earned the loss last night. Scott Baker worked 2 1/3 innings giving up 3 hits and 1 earned run while whiffing 2 batters and walking none. Matt Guerrier, Jose Mijares and Brian Fuentes combined to work 2 1/3 innings of shutout ball hoping to allow the team a chance to make a comeback which they didn’t. Denard Span (2 for 4) and Orlando Hudson (2 for 4 with a RBI) did their best to spark the offense at the top. Joe Mauer pitched in offensively as he was 1 for 3 with a walk and rookie Danny Valencia was 1 for 4 with a double. The Twins were overmatched once again by the Evil Empire as they were swept 3-0 against the Yankees.

Things were looking good for the Twins when Orlando Hudson whacked a solo homer to tie the game at 2 in the bottom of the sixth inning. But in the top of the 7th the Yankees got to Carl Pavano. Pavano worked the first 6 innings of this game allowing 10 hits and 4 earned runs as he was the losing pitcher. Jose Mijares, Jon Rauch and Matt Guerrier combined to work 2 scoreless innings for the Twins following Pavano. Matt Capps gave up a run on 2 hits in the 9th inning really hurting any chance of a comeback against Mariano Rivera. Delmon Young was the only guy besides Hudson who brought his hitting shoes last night as he was 2 for 4 with a triple and 1 run scored. The Twins are now down 2-0 in this series.

The Twins were looking good for five innings yesterday as they were leading the game 3-0, but that’s when Francisco Liriano ran out of gas. He pitched 5 2/3 innings and he gave up 6 hits, 4 earned runs, walked 3 batters and he whiffed 7. Jose Mijares reliever Liriano and he got the only batter he faced out. Rookie 3B Danny Valencia drew a bases loaded walk off C.C. Sabathia in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game up at 4 apiece. The Twins then brought in Jesse Crain and he got lit up. He only got one batter out while giving up 3 hits (including a 2-run homer by Mark Teixeira) and 2 earned runs as he was the losing pitcher. Brian Fuentes and Jon Rauch finished up the game tossing 2 2/3 innings of shutout ball to give the Twins a chance to come back but they didn’t. Count Michael Cuddyer as a big time player as he was 2 for 4 with 1 run scored, 1 double, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. Danny Valencia also had a good game as he was 1 for 3 with a walk and 1 RBI. The Twins are down 1-0 in this series.

The Yankees have shown some chinks in their armor this year as the starting rotation was iffy and some of the position players had down years. But they still won 95 games and sometimes they flip the switch when the post season comes along. The Twins have gotten beaten up by the Yankees recently in the playoffs but they were 94-68 on the year and they have home field advantage so maybe this year will be different. Here is a breakdown of the positions in this series:

CATCHER - Switch hitting Jorge Posada is starting to show his age as he didn’t hit as well as usual and he still doesn’t throw the ball too well. He played in 120 games for the Yankees this year and he was 95 of 383 (.248 avg, .811 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 18 homers and 57 RBIs. Posada has played in 111 games in the post season in his career and he is 89 of 372 (.239 avg, .736 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 11 homers and 39 RBIs.

The Twins rested lefty swinging Joe Mauer whose knee was bothering him the last month so that he would be ready for the playoffs. He is one of the best catchers in all of baseball. He played in 137 games for the Twins this year and he was 167 of 510 (.327 avg, .871 OPS) with 88 runs scored, 9 homers and 75 RBIs. Because of injuries in the past, Mauer has only played in 6 post season games in his career and he is 7 of 23 (.304 avg, .732 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 RBI.

EDGE: TWINS

FIRST BASE - Switch hitting Mark Teixeira had an off year in 2010 but most players would be proud of the numbers he put up. Teixeira played in 158 games for the Yankees this year and he was 154 of 601 (.256 avg, .846 OPS) with 113 runs scored, 33 homers and 108 RBIs. He has played in 19 games in his post season career and he is 18 of 76 (.237 avg, .683 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 2 homers and 9 RBIs. The Yankees need him to swing the bat better this year or they could have trouble putting up runs against the Twins.

Michael Cuddyer will be at first base in this series instead of Justin Morneau who is done for the year due to a severe concussion. Cuddyer is a decent all around player but he’s not a standout. Cuddyer played in 157 games for the Twins this year and he was 165 of 609 (.271 avg, .753 OPS) with 93 runs scored, 14 homers, 81 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. He has played very well in the post season in his career so far appearing in 19 games in which he is 23 of 63 (.365 avg, .863 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 6 RBIs.

EDGE: YANKEES

SECOND BASE - Lefty swinging Robinson Cano was a offensive machine for the Yankees this year. He played in 160 games for the Yankees this year and he was 200 of 626 (.319 avg, .914 OPS) with 103 runs scored, 29 homers and 109 RBIs. But, Cano has never really carried over his regular season success into the post season. Cano has played in 28 games in the post season in his career and he is 23 of 106 (.217 avg, .634 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 2 homers and 14 RBIs.

Switch hitting Orlando Hudson is a wizard with the glove on his hand. Hudson played in 126 games for the Twins this year and he was 133 of 497 (.268 avg, .710 OPS) with 80 runs scored, 6 homers, 37 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. He has also played in 8 games in his post season career and he is 1 for 4 (.250 avg, 1.250 OPS) with 1 run scored, 1 homer and 1 RBI.

EDGE: YANKEES

SHORTSTOP - Derek Jeter might be slowing down a bit but he still steps up when the bright lights of the post season come on. Jeter played in 157 games for the Yankees this season and he is 179 of 663 (.270 avg, .710 OPS) with 111 runs scored, 10 homers, 67 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. But, he has played in 138 games in his post season career and he is 175 of 559 (.313 avg, .863 OPS) with 99 runs scored, 20 homers, 55 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. I expect that he will step up in this series.

J.J. Hardy is a wizard with the glove but he’s a so-so hitter with a little bit of power. Hardy played in 101 games for the Twins this year and he was 91 of 340 (.268 avg, .714 OPS) with 44 runs scored, 6 homers and 38 RBIs. He has played in 4 games in the post season in his career and he is 6 of 14 (.429 avg, 1.000 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs.

EDGE: YANKEES

THIRD BASE - Alex Rodriguez is still a run producer but his days of hitting over .300 appear to be in the past. A-Rod played in 137 games for the Yankees this year and he was 141 of 522 (.270 avg, .847 OPS) with 74 runs scored, 30 homers, 125 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. The Yankees hope that A-Rod has a repeat of last post season when he carried the offense. Alex Rodriguez has now played in 54 games in his post season career and he is 60 of 199 (.302 avg, .977 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 13 homers, 35 RBIs and 6 stolen bases.

Rookie Danny Valencia came up to the Twins because of injury and he never gave the job back. Valencia played in 85 games for the Twins this year and he was 93 of 299 (.311 avg, .799 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 7 homers, 40 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.

EDGE: YANKEES

LEFT FIELD - Brett Gardner put together a very solid season as he injected speed into the Yankees’ lineup. Gardner played in 150 games for the Yankees this year and he was 132 of 477 (.277 avg, .762 OPS) with 97 runs scored, 5 homers, 47 RBIs and 47 stolen bases. This will be the first time that Gardner has had a starting job going into the playoffs. He has played in 14 games in his post season career and he is 2 of 13 (.154 avg, .308 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 1 stolen base.

Delmon Young really stepped up for the Twins this season and he’s one of the main reasons that they are back in the playoffs. Young played in 153 games for the Twins this year and he was 170 of 570 (.298 avg, .826 OPS) with 77 runs scored, 21 homers, 112 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Young has not fared too well in the post season though. He has played in 3 games in his post season career and he is 1 of 12 (.083 avg, .381 OPS) with 1 run scored and 1 stolen base.

EDGE: TWINS

CENTER FIELD - Curtis Granderson had a disappointing regular season but he caught fire in September giving the Yankees hope that he could have a big post season. Granderson played in 136 games for the Yankees this year and he was 115 of 466 (.247 avg, .792 OPS) with 76 runs scored, 24 homers, 67 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Granderson has played in 13 games in his post season career and he is 12 of 53 (.226 avg, .779 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 3 homers, 7 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.

Denard Span also had a down year for the Twins. Span played in 153 games for the Twins this year and he was 166 of 629 (.264 avg, .679 OPS) with 85 runs scored, 3 homers, 58 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. He has played in 3 games in his post season career and he is 6 of 15 (.400 avg, .867 OPS) with 1 run scored, 1 RBI and 1 stolen base.

EDGE: EVEN

RIGHT FIELD - Switch hitting Nick Swisher had a really good year for the Yankees in 2010. He played in 150 games for the Yankees this year and he was 163 of 566 (.288 avg, .870 OPS) with 91 runs scored, 29 homers and 89 RBIs. Swisher has never been a good player in the post season and that will need to change this year or the Yankees won’t be able to stand by him. He has played in 24 games in his post season career and he is 11 of 71 (.155 avg, .572 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 1 homer and 3 RBIs.

Jason Kubel is coming off a down year for the Twins. He played in 143 games for the Twins this year and he was 129 of 518 (.249 avg, .750 OPS) with 68 runs scored, 21 homers and 92 RBIs. Like Swisher though, Kubel has had a rough time in the playoffs. Kubel has played in 5 games in his post season career and he is 2 of 21 (.095 avg, .143 OPS) with 0 runs scored or RBIs and 11 whiffs.

EDGE: EVEN

DESIGNATED HITTER - Switch hitting Lance Berkman had a rough year. He played in 122 games for the Astros & Yankees this year and he was 100 of 404 (.248 avg, .781 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 14 homers and 58 RBIs. But, Berkman has always been effective in the post season. Berkman has played in 29 games in his post season career and he is 34 of 106 (.321 avg, .992 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 6 homers, 26 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.

Lefty swinging Jim Thome really took off when Justin Morneau got injured. Thome played in 108 games for the Twins this year and he was 78 of 276 (.283 avg, 1.039 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 25 homers and 59 RBIs. He has played in 64 games in his post season career and he is 46 of 207 (.222 avg, .809 OPS) with 33 runs scored, 17 homers and 37 RBIs.

EDGE: EVEN

BENCH: The Yankees have a deep bench with outfielders Austin Kearns and Marcus Thames providing a lot of pop. Switch hitting catcher Francisco Cervelli will spell Jorge Posada if he needs a day off and he’s a much better defender. Eduardo Nunez or Ramiro Pena will provide depth in the middle infield.

I don’t see the Twins using the bench much unless there are injuries. Switch hitting infielders Nick Punto and Alexi Casilla are the top bench players the Twins have to offer. Drew Butera is a non-hitting backup to Joe Mauer. Jason Repko will likely be the top outfield backup in this series.

EDGE: YANKEES

STARTING PITCHING - The Yankees are going with a 3-man rotation due to the days off in this series. It all starts with lefty C.C. Sabathia. Sabathia started 34 games for the Yankees this year and he was 21-7 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. He has started 10 games in his post season career and he is 5-4 with a 4.40 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP so he is beatable. Andy Pettitte missed a lot of time this year but he’s still being counted on to start Game #2 and #5 if needed. Pettitte started 21 games for the Yankees this year and he was 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Pettitte has started 40 games in his post season career and he is 18-9 with a 3.90 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. It will be interesting to see how much gas Pettitte has left in the tank for this year. So much for watching Phil Hughes workload as he will be #3 in line for the Yanks. He has pitched in 31 games (29 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 18-8 with a 4.19 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He has pitched in 11 games (0 starts) in the post season in his career and he is 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

The Twins are going to go with a four man rotation in the first round. The American League Comeback Player of the Year (Francisco Liriano) will be starting Game #1 and #5 if needed. Liriano started 31 games for the Twins this year and he was 14-10 with a 3.62 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He has only pitched in 1 game (0 starts) in his post season career and he is 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. Carl Pavano will be second in line for the Twins. He started 32 games for the Twins this year and he was 17-11 with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. He has pitched in 9 games (3 starts) in his post season career and he is 2-1 with a 1.71 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. Young lefty Brian Duensing will be the #3 starter for the Twins in this series. He pitched in 53 games (13 starts) for the Twins this year and he was 10-3 with a 2.62 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. He has started 1 game in his post season career and he was 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. Nick Blackburn got hot down the stretch for the Twins and for that reason he will be the #4 starter in this series for the Twins. Blackburn pitched in 28 games (26 starts) for the Twins this year and he was 10-12 with a 5.42 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. He has started 1 game in his post season career and he is 0-0 with a 1.59 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP.

EDGE: SLIGHT FOR YANKEES

CLOSER - Mariano Rivera is probably the best closer in baseball history. He pitched in 61 games (0 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 3-3 with 33 saves, a 1.80 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP. He has been downright incredible in the post season in his career. He has pitched in 88 games (0 starts) in the post season and he is 8-1 with 39 saves, a 0.74 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP.

Matt Capps pitched the best baseball of his major league career this year. Capps pitched in 74 games (0 starts) with the Twins & Nationals this year and he was 5-3 with 42 saves, a 2.47 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Capps has never pitched in the post season but the Twins have a lot of confidence in him.

EDGE: YANKEES

BULLPEN: Kerry Wood will be the set up man as the Yankees will shorten the bullpen in this series. Wood pitched in 47 games (0 starts) for the Yankees & Indians this year and he was 3-4 with 8 saves, a 3.13 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Joba Chamberlain will probably be the 7th inning guy for the Yankees in this series. He pitched in 73 games (0 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 3-4 with 3 saves, a 4.40 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. David Robertson really pitched well in the post season for the Yankees last season working in 5 games (0 starts) in which he was 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He pitched good for the Yanks during the regular season to working in 64 games (0 starts) in which he was 4-5 with 1 save, a 3.82 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Boone Logan will be the only lefty in the pen for the Yankees in this series. He pitched in 51 games (0 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 2-0 with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP.

Lefty Brian Fuentes will be the set-up man for the Twins in this series. He pitched in 48 games (0 starts) for the Angels & Twins this year and he was 4-1 with 24 saves, a 2.81 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. Fuentes is downright nasty on lefty batters so he will be an asset to the Twins in this series. Jon Rauch was the Twins’ closer before Matt Capps came to town. He pitched in 59 games (0 starts) for the Twins this year and he was 3-1 with 21 saves, a 3.12 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. Jesse Crain had a good bounceback year for the Twins in 2010. He pitched in 71 games (0 starts) for the Twins this year and he was 1-1 with 1 save, a 3.04 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Fellow righty Matt Guerrier has always been a solid reliever for the Twins. He pitched in 74 games (0 starts) for the Twins this year and he was 5-7 with 1 saves, a 3.17 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Jose Mijares will give the Twins a solid second lefty in the pen in this series. He pitched in 47 games (0 starts) for the Twins this year and he was 1-1 with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.

EDGE: TWINS

MANAGER: I have never thought much of Joe Girardi as a manager as I think the Yankees win despite him calling the shots. Girardi has a regular season record of 365-283 (56.3%) in his major league career but he is 11-4 (73.3%) in the post season and he has won a World Series already (2009 Yankees).

Ron Gardenhire is a fine mananger who stresses fundamentals of the game to his team and they win a lot of games by playing it right. He has a career record of 802-656 (55%) during the regular season. But in the post season it appears that talent wins out over playing fundamental baseball as Gardenhire is only 6-18 (25%) during his career in the post season.

EDGE: SLIGHT FOR YANKEES

PREDICTION: I think the Twins are closing the gap on the Yankees but they will still fall in five games.

The Minnesota Twins made too many mistakes in this series and were swept by the New York Yankees last night in the Metrodome’s final baseball game.  Once again, a baserunning error turned out to be very costly for the Twins.  Nick Punto thought a ball hit up the middle had gotten through and started to go home.  He thought wrong and was easily gunned down at third by Jorge Posada after Derek Jeter threw it home.  The Twins were completely outmatched in this series though, and the Yankees proved it with both their pitching and their hitting.

Joe Mauer got the lone RBI for the Twins in this contest, and it was his first career postseason RBI.  Mauer’s sixth inning RBI single gave the Twins the lead, but it only lasted an inning.  Alex Rodriguez, who went 5 for 11 with 2 homers in this series, tied the game at one with a solo shot in the 7th.  Jorge Posada followed that up with his own solo shot and the Yankees kept the lead the rest of the game.  It was a disappointing end to an exciting season for the Twins, where they beat out the Detroit Tigers for the AL Central title in the final day of the season.