I'm going to make this short and sweet: the Yankees will not make it to the World Series in 2006.

I'm not just blowing smoke. While they may have the most dangerous offense in baseball, their pitching aside from (Mariano Rivera and Mike Mussina) has weaknesses.

So let the record show, this Red Sox fan is looking forward for the Yankees to fail once again in their attempt at a championship.

It will not be for lack of trying. George Steinbrenner and the boys have put them in contention for sure. They also have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

However, the team chemistry doesn't exist as it does with some less talented teams. And when I say that, I simply mean on paper.

Detroit for instance has a pretty good pitching staff able to shut some opponents down. In fact, if they weren't in New York today, I'd be picking them to win the opener. But the fact remains that indeed they are in New York and that stadium can be brutal to a young guy like lefty Nate Robertson.

Robertson is a hard thrower as are most of the pitchers on the Tigers' staff and matches up well against C. Wang, but in the end that offense and the crowd will be too much for him.

But I'm not ready to concede the series yet.

I like the Verlander vs. Mussina matchup tomorrow and the Kenny Rogers vs. Randy Johnson game on Thursday. Mussina has got to be on for the Yankees to have a shot. Verlander throws some sick heat and if he can keep control of his pitches will cause all sorts of problems for New York. That lineup is indeed scary, made scarier by the return of Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield.

But let's face it. A-Rod and Jason Giambi will end up killing thhat team's chances. As long as these two are with New York, championships will elude them.

In Minnesota, the 2006 Cy Young Award winner, Johann Santana will get the start versus the A's and Barry Zito. While I like Zito and hope he comes to Boston in the offseason, Santana is superb. There is no one better in the majors. He will set the tone for this well-rounded baseball club.

Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau will figure nicely in these games. Mauer is the AL batting champion and Morneau is my favorite for the MVP, should Ortiz get shunned once again. Though the team displays little power, they are a scrappy bunch that scores runs.

The team chemistry is sound. All appear to be good guys with a common goal. They are clicking at the right time and they are my pick as the A.L. representatives in the 2006 World Series.

Their starting pitching has certainly been weakened since Francisco Liriano has been injured, but Boof Bonser has been filling in admirably. What kind of name is Boof anyway?

Bonser came in a deal that may go down as the best and worst in history depending on what side you are on. Minnesota traded A.J. Pierzynski to the Giants for closer Joe Nathan (xx saves this year), Liriano (only injury and Santana stopped him from being the Cy Young winner, he still could get A.L. Rookie honors) and Boof. The steal of the century? Perhaps, very reminescent of the Heathcliff Slocumb deal that gave Boston Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek.

In the post season it comes down to pitching and both the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers have better pitching than the Yankees.

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