It’s a definite advantage to the Yanks, because of their superior bullpen depth.

Because of the days off, they can use Mariano and Hughes, and, if necessary, Robertson and Coke and Joba(!) in each of the first three games.

Which means, if they can score some runs of the Twins’ and Tigers’ starting pitchers, and they can, it should be theoretically easier to close the series out in 4 games. Not as important vs. the Twins, but now vitally important vs. the Tigers, to keep Verlander from getting a 2nd start.

Absolutely right. There is little or no flow with off days be/tw each game. The post season should be a natural extension of the regular season, with games each day, forcing teams to use their entire roster. One day off for travel would be reasonable.
At the risk of repeating myself: there’s no reason to have ANY rainouts. Or playing in 37 degree weather. Or forcing a game to be played on a wet field. Build a classy stadium with a retractable roof. Too late, I know, but it would have solved a lot of problems.

Good question,and good post. I think there were too many negative (cough, Mike Mussina) Yankees in recent years who seemed to psyche themselves out on such things. Hopefully, Joe Girardi won’t let such negative, self-defeating attitudes take hold with this team.

couldn’t agree more here steve. game 2 of the 2006 alds going from being played at night, in front of a jazzed up yankee stadium crowd, to the next day, with not nearly as many showing up and the crowd nowhere as close to as pumped up, had to have been a big advantage for the tigers and disadvantage for the yanks. i’m not a big believer that this is what determines series – how the teams play does – but every little bit counts, and for whatever this stuff does count for, i agree with you that it seems to have gone against the yankees in recent postseasons.

Off days or not, the Yanks are best served with #62′s fat butt firmly planted on the bench in the ALDS. The Yanks have a better shot at advancing out of the LDS by pitching their best arms and putting their best, most rested team forward.

If the Yanks end up losing because of some perceived “post-season flow” factor then their best team got beat and you’d rather lose giving it your best. #62 getting a Game 4 start is not their best team.

vs. Detroit:
Game 1: Sabathia/Jackson
Game 2: Burnett/Verlander
Game 3: Pettitte/Porcello
Game 4: Sabathia/Jackson
Game 5: Burnett/Verlander

vs. Minnesota:
Game 1: Sabathia/Blackburn
Game 2: Burnett/Pavano
Game 3: Pettitte/Baker
Game 4: Sabathia/Blackburn
Game 5: Burnett/Pavano

I don’t care how much time off we have. I like our chances against this list of turds (minus Verlander who I legitimately respect, but don’t fear).

All these off-days, whether planned or due to weather, just seem to mess with the flow of the series…or, is that just me? What do you think?
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110% agree. Not to mention, as fans, off days are the equivalent to waterboarding.