Friday night kicks off the 2010 American League Championship Series in Texas at Arlington Ballpark with the Rangers hosting the New York Yankees, less than a week after grilling the Rays in Game 5 to land their spot here today in the 2010 ALCS. The Yankees, on the other hand, swept their opponent, the Minnesota Twins, to land in familiar ground tonight.

The Yankees have won 27 World Series titles as well as 40 pennants while this is the first time the Rangers have ever won a postseason series. Against Texas, the Yankees have a nine-game winning streak in the postseason. The Rangers were knocked out of the playoffs by the Yankees in their three postseason appearances between 1996 and 1999.

Thankfully, for the Yankees, Cliff Lee isn’t up until Game 3 of this series; however, they will face a left-handed pitcher that has a lot up his sleeve and has proven himself during this year’s postseason.

For Game 1, the Texas Rangers will place C.J. Wilson on the mound with the Yankees bringing in C.C. Sabathia. Wilson was incredible during his very first postseason start for his career, allowing only two hits by the Tampa Bay Rays in 6 1/3 innings. His first three games against the Yankees is nothing to be proud of; however, he has strengthened as a pitcher since and has 15 wins on the year with a 16-8 season record and an ERA of 3.25 on the season.

Sabathia, earlier this year in April, allowed the Rangers just a single run in three hits over six innings, which resulted in a victory for the Yankees. Over the past couple of years, Sabathia is 4-1 with an earned run average of 2.34 in six postseason starts for New York. He is 22-7 with an ERA of 3.21 this season.

Below is how the leading online sportsbooks have the betting lines for tonight’s first game in the 2010 ALCS (don’t forget to check out the props if those bets interest you, as there are plenty available):

Bodog Online Sportsbook

Moneyline = Yankees -153, Rangers +133

BetUS Online Sportsbook

Moneyline = Yankees -150, Rangers +130
Runline = Yankees -1 ½, Rangers +1 ½
Totals = Yankees Over 8 -115, Rangers Under 8 -105

DSI (Diamond Sportsbook) and Bookmaker Sportsbook

Yankees -148, Rangers +138
Runline = Yankees -1 ½, Rangers +1 ½
Totals = Yankees Over 8 -110, Rangers Under 8 -110

No one really believes that the Rangers can do it. If the Rangers could get the Yankees out of their head, as they most probably are, then they may be able to have enough determination, motivation and skill – if they allow it to show – to win this thing. We’ll see tonight…but my money is on the Rangers as they have statistically improved since early in the regular season and on the verge of their first playoff berth since 1999.

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