The fourth and final series...

This one is the hardest to evaluate and forecast simply because of the Yankee ghosts of the past and their winning history and tradition.

The Yanks did not play well in September and have a lot of age and mileage on the team yet you always seem to think they'll find a way to get it done when it counts. The lineup will grind through at-bats and try to wear down the starters to get to the weak spot bullpen and everybody 1-through-9 is capable of leaving the yard, especially at home.

Simply put, they will not beat the Twins if they do not win game one. Over the last few weeks, deservedly so, the topic of discussion has been the lack of reliable starting pitching behind the big horse, CC Sabathia, who by the way, has had his struggles in the post-season.

Andy Pettitte's post-season success is well documented and might be discussed for perpetuity in the Hall of Fame but he is a big big question mark right now. And you have to wonder how Phil Hughes will handle his first post-season as a core member of the rotation. How bad do A.J. Burnett and Javy Vazquez have to be to be pulled from that rotation, and, in the case of the mercurial Vazquez, to be left off the roster.

The bullpen is good and with an off day or two can survive being used a lot and pitching on back-to-back days. Kerry Wood has been a revelation in front of Mariano Rivera, who is the best there ever was as a closer in the playoffs.

The Twins need a big effort from Francisco Liriano in the opener and need to go back to New York no worse than 1-1, preferably ahead 2-0. The Twins have had chances in past series against the Yanks but just haven't been able to take advantage of them and find a way to make the big play or pitch when they needed to. As a matter of fact, they've had the lead in each of the last six games in a row that they have lost to the Yankees.

This is a very sound team that hits, plays well defensively, doesn't walk opposing batters and will not beat itself. I think this a confident team that will benefit from the presence of Jim Thome not only in the lineup but in the clubhouse, as well. It is amazing that the Twins have made it to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons without Justin Morneau playing in the second half in both. It is a shame he can't take his place on the big stage and allow the casual fan to see just how good he is and how much better the team is when he is in the lineup. Danny Valencia has injected some life and energy at third base and given the Twins an unexpected boost offensively.

Delmon Young finally emerged as a force this year and lived up to advanced billing and his vast potential. He has to continue to deliver timely hits for the Twins and offer the balance that a left-hand heavy lineup needs in potentially four games against Sabathia and Pettitte.

Joe Nathan, who gave up the big home run to ARod in last year's ALDS, missed the entire season and the Twins never missed a beat with Jon Rauch stepping in to the closer's role. Minnesota added some reinforcements with Matt Capps and Brian Fuentes and their bullpen is better and deeper than it has been the last few years. They have a very underrated Matt Gurrier, Jose Mijares and Jesse Crain in that bullpen and the Yankees will have a harder time navigating through those six guys than they would against the 'pens of many other teams in the league.

The Twins had the best home record in the American League this season and will need to rely on winning at Target Field to win this series. I think this is the year they finally get it done and dethrone the Yanks in a tense game five in front of the home faithful.