(Sports Network) - The New York Yankees are back in the American League Championship Series for the first time in five years, as they will kick off the best-of-seven set against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Friday at Yankee Stadium.

Now they face an Angels team that has beaten them twice in the postseason. Los Angeles got the best of the Yankees in 2002 on its way to a World Series championship, then beat them again in five games in the 2005 ALDS.

In fact, since 1995, the Angels have been the only AL team to give the Yankees a losing record (68-80, .459).

"We've had some success, but it was before I got here," Angels outfielder Torii Hunter said. "But I promise you, this Yankee team isn't worried about the past just like we weren't worried about it when we played the Red Sox. You have to go out there and play the game."

The Angels split their 10 games with the Yankees in the regular season, but New York won three of the last four meetings. New York, though, won just two of its six games in Anaheim this season and has lost there in just three of its last 12 visits.

LA ANGELS OF ANAHEIM

1. BULLPEN

Closer Brian Fuentes saved a major league high 48 games this season, but also blew seven and was 1-5 with a 3.93. He is anything but automatic and has gotten worse as the season has worn on.

In the second half, Fuentes had a 4.81 ERA, opponents hit .274 against him, and he had more walks (15) than strikeouts (12). Throwing more fuel on the fire is the fact that he pitched to a 6.52 ERA in 10 playoff games for Colorado in 2007 in his only other postseason experience.

However, he saved both of his chances in the ALDS and did not allow a hit in 1 2/3 innings.

Getting to him could be a problem too, as righties Kevin Jepsen and Jason Bulger have both struggled at times with the latter battling a shoulder issue.

Veteran left-hander Darren Oliver, though, has been a reliable option and was again in the ALDS, as he picked up a win in Game 3 and tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings in the three games.



2. BOBBY ABREU

When the AL MVP ballots are counted Bobby Abreu's name probably won't be announced as the winner, but you could make the case that he was the most important player on the Angels this season.

Signed to just a one-year, $5 million deal this past winter, Abreu had a tremendous season for the Angels, carrying the team offensively when Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero both served disabled list stints in July.

His power numbers are not what they used to be, but Abreu is constantly on base. He killed the Red Sox in the ALDS, reaching base nine times, while hitting .556 (5-for-9).

When he gets on base the Angels win. Plain and simple.



3. CHONE FIGGINS

While their lineup depth one-through-nine is comparable to New York, the Angels do not have the same kind of firepower that the Yankees posses. One area where the Halos have a distinct advantage is on the basepaths, specifically third baseman Chone Figgins, who swiped a team-high 42 bases.

The Yankees, though, took two of three from the Angels in Anaheim in September and the key to that series was keeping Figgins off the bases. In the Angels' three-game sweep over the Yanks in July, Figgins stole three bases.

You do the math.



NEW YORK YANKEES

1. ALEX RODRIGUEZ

The Angels weren't the only ones exorcising their playoff demons, as Alex Rodriguez was sensational for the Yankees against the Twins, batting .455 with two home runs and six RBI. Both of his home runs tied the game for the Yankees, who may need another big series from their superstar if they want to advance.

"He was patient and took what they gave him," said manager Joe Girardi. "He had good at-bats all series long. Without Alex we aren't in the situation we're in now."

A-Rod will get a huge test in Game 1, as he is just 9-for-51 (.176) lifetime against John Lackey. However, four of those hits have been home runs.

Rodriguez, as a whole, has hit the Angels well in his career, hitting .328 with 67 home runs and 151 RBI against them in 172 games.

2. RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY

Girardi has stated that he is thinking of using just three starters for this series. If he goes that route, CC Sabathia would go for the Yankees in Games 1, 4 and 7. His Game 4 start would be on three-days rest, but if he is needed for a Game 7 assignment, it would be on full rest.

A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte would also be going on full rest in their second starts.

However, rain is in the forecast for this weekend in New York, which could cause a postponement and eliminate a travel day. Girardi would then have to use a fourth starter.

Girardi would likely go with righty Chad Gaudin rather than Joba Chamberlain, who appears to be locked into a role in the bullpen.



3. SPEAKING OF JOBA CHAMBERLAIN...

You just knew that Chamberlain would have a say in this series. Outside of A- Rod, there may not be a bigger lighting rod within the Yankees than that of Chamberlain.

Is he a starter? Is he a reliever? It almost gets crazy at times. I have always thought he would one day be a top of the line starter, but it is clear, his place is in the bullpen.

Chamberlain showed flashes in the ALDS of that electricity he possessed in 2007 when he burst upon the scene as Mariano Rivera's setup man, as he held the Twins scoreless in 1 2/3 innings.

Phil Hughes is the one who hands Rivera the ball these days, but he struggled against Minnesota. If he falters again, I can assure you Girardi will waste little time replacing him with Chamberlain as the bridge to the great Rivera.













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