American League Championship Series: New York vs. Texas

NEW YORK VS. TEXAS

Game 1: Friday, 5 p.m.

New York ( CC Sabathia, 21-7, 3.18)

at Texas (C.J. Wilson, 15-8, 3.35)

Game 2: Saturday, 1 p.m.

New York (Phil Hughes, 18-8, 4.19)

at Texas (Colby Lewis, 12-13, 3.72)

Game 3: Monday, 5 p.m.

Texas (Cliff Lee, 12-9, 3.18)

at New York (Andy Pettitte, 11-3, 3.28)

Game 4: Tuesday, 5 p.m.

Texas (Tommy Hunter, 13-4, 3.73)

at New York ( A.J. Burnett, 10-15, 5.26)

Game 5: Wednesday, 1 p.m.*

Texas (Wilson)

at New York (Sabathia)

Game 6: Oct. 22, 5 p.m.*

New York (Hughes)

at Texas (Lewis or Lee)

Game 7: Oct. 23, 5 p.m.*

New York (Pettitte)

at Texas (TBA)

*if necessary/All times PDT

PROJECTED LINEUPS

NEW YORK

Derek Jeter, SS (.270, 10, 67)

Nick Swisher, RF (.288, 29, 89)

Mark Teixeira, 1B (.256, 33, 108)

Alex Rodriguez, 3B (.270, 30, 125)

Robinson Cano, 2B (.319, 29, 109)

Marcus Thames, DH (.288, 12, 33)

Jorge Posada, C (.248, 18, 57)

Curtis Granderson, CF (.247, 24, 67)

Brett Gardner, LF (.277, 5, 47)

TEXAS

Elvis Andrus, SS (.265, 0, 35)

Michael Young, 3B (.284, 21, 91)

Josh Hamilton, CF (.359, 32, 100)

Vladimir Guerrero, DH (.300, 29, 115)

Nelson Cruz, LF (.318, 22, 78)

Ian Kinsler, 2B (.286, 9, 45)

Jeff Francoeur, RF (.249, 13, 65)

Matt Treanor, C (.249, 5, 36)

Mitch Moreland, 1B (.255, 9, 25)

KEYS TO THE SERIES

Cliff Lee beat the Yankees twice in last year’s World Series. He beat them twice this season. However, because the Rangers needed Lee to win Game 5 of the American League division series, he won’t start until Game 3 of the ALCS. By the time he could get another start, the series could be over. The Yankees could all but spot the Rangers one game, though, with plans to start A.J. Burnett in Game 4. The Yankees skipped Burnett and his career-high 5.26 earned-run average in the first round; he has not beaten a team that finished with a winning record since May 25. The Rangers hit eight home runs in five games in the ALDS — three by Ian Kinsler and three by Nelson Cruz, but none by their MVP candidate, Josh Hamilton, who sat out most of the past month after fracturing three ribs. Hamilton batted .111 in the ALDS. The Yankees go deep in power and patience; they led the majors in on-base percentage and hit four home runs in three ALDS games — none from Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano or Jorge Posada, but one each from Lance Berkman, Marcus Thames, Nick Swisher and Mark Teixeira. The Rangers can and will run on New York catcher Jorge Posada, who threw out just 15% of runners trying to steal. In his postseason debut, Texas closer Neftali Feliz walked three in 1 1/3 innings. Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has pitched in 30 postseason series and issued three walks once — in 1996.