Sweep averted

Well, I was wrong about the Yankees getting swept, which is good, though I'd feel better if the Yankees didn't always lose series where they won Game 1. (In five of their last six playoff series losses, the Yankees have won Game 1.) Buck Showalter certainly helped the Yankees, bringing in his closer in a non-save situation, which he promptly blew up. But most important is the pitching of CC Sabathia. With the Yankees' inconsistent offense, they'll go as far as their pitching can take them.

One last tidbit: The Yankees have never faced Baltimore in a division series before. Here are the Yankees records in division series, team by team:

vs. Twins - 4-0
vs. Oakland - 3-0
vs. Texas - 3-0
vs. Seattle - 0-1
vs. Angels - 0-2
vs. Indians - 0-2
vs. Tigers - 0-2

The Yankees feast against three teams, and famine against the rest. On which side will Baltimore end up?