"The Yankees haven't gotten much from the fourth and fifth spots in their lineup so far this postseason, but both Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira are clinging to the idea that performing in one crucial moment can wash strikeouts and fruitless at-bats away.

"I think we can win no matter what," Rodriguez said when asked about how the heart of the Yankee order has flopped. "You throw statistics out the window in the playoffs. The only one that matters then is winning games. And I think Tex and I are both prepared for big at-bats, a few key moments, and when they come, we'll be ready.""