MLB Playoffs

Call it the Year of the Pitcher.  Call it the Year of Comebacks. Call it the Year of Surprises and Sweeps. Call it anything, but the fact is the MLB Postseason has already been one for the record books, and it only started last Wednesday.
Two Division Series have already been decided with the New York Yankees moving on to the ALCS and the Philadelphia Phillies advancing to the NLCS.  The Yankees and the Phillies each swept their opponents en route to the Championship Series. What made each team so successful? Let’s take a look.

New York Yankees defeat Minnesota Twins 3-0.

With all of the drama in the other three Division Series, this matchup was bland and redundant. Being swept by the Yankees in the postseason was not a new experience for the Twins, as the Yankees swept them two years in a row.  The two teams have met in the postseason three times in the last seven years and the Yankees won all of them.  In fact, after winning Game 1 in 2003 against the Yankees, the Twins have lost nine straight postseason games.

For the Yankees, there were several keys to winning.  One was have starting pitchers who can go deep into the game.  Game 1 starter CC Sabathia went six innings, and Games 2 and 3 starters Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes each pitched seven innings.  Having depth in the starting rotation helped out the bullpen by being able to effectively use their relievers and star closer Mariano Rivera.

Liberty linebacker Chris Mayo blasted CSU quarterback A.J. Trudnowski for a 12-yard sack-fumble, giving Liberty the ball at the Charleston 33-yard line. Brown carried the ball into the end zone on a 7-yard scamper, putting the Flames up 23-14.

Patrick Bannon crushed CSU receiver Deon Lee and forced him to fumble. Danny Broggins recovered at the CSU 25.

“Defensively we were inconsistent but when we were good we were really good,” Rocco said. “We had some big physical hits.”

From there, Liberty scored on touchdowns from Brown and Summers and ended the game with a “humph,” 44-20.

“I’m very happy that we won the football game,” Rocco said. “Charleston Southern is an extremely well-coached team. I want to commend them on their effort.”

With the win, the Flames move to 1-0 in the conference and look to continue their winning streak against defensive powerhouse VMI in Lexington Oct. 16.

BROWN is the asst. sports editor.