Sports Thread #4 For 10/5/09: 2009 MLB Postseason- After Slow Start, Yanks Start To 27th Title Quest Results In Easy Victory

After the Twins three consecutive singles in the top half of the 3rd inning gave them the 2-0 lead, the pressure could have gotten to a heavily favored Yankee team.

But when Derek Jeter is your captain, and your offense is stacked, there should be no rush to panic at all, let alone in the third inning. Oh, and having CC Sabathia still maintain his composure doesn't hurt too.

Jeter settled down any chances of trepidation creeping up on Yankees fans with a two run homer off of Brian Duensing in the bottom of that inning, and it was all Yankees there, in a 7-2 comfortable win.

The Twins had a chance to get back into the game in the top of the 7th, as Orlando Cabrera was challenging Phil Hughes with runners on 2nd and 3rd and two outs. But the hybrid starter, who has been terrific in the pen all season for the Yankees, struck him out to end the AL Central's champs chances at coming back.

The series has an off day now in order to align with the other ALDS (Red Sox vs Angels) schedule. The pressure will certainly be on Nick Blackburn in Game 2 for the Twins, but it will also be on Joe Giradi and AJ Burnett. No Posada in Game 2 unless he comes off the bench, since Burnett is more comfortable with Jose Molina behind the plate. So Giradi made a switch to favor Burnett, and I agree with the move.

The pressure will be on Burnett to deliver like Sabathia did tonight. But the pressure will be on Blackburn more to give the Twins a shot at still realistically winning this series.

Oh, and A-Rod, he got off the post-season slump. Great to see here, as a Yankee fan.

Box score here.