Tony Paul: Baseball insider

Yankees wait to set their playoff schedule

As a reward for compiling the best record in the American League, the Yankees (102-57) get to choose what schedule they want for their first-round division series.

And they're in no hurry to make up their minds, for good reason: Their decision could change based on whether their opening opponent is the Tigers or Twins.

One of the division series features three days off (between Games 1 and 2, 2 and 3, and 4 and 5) while the other has two (between Games 2 and 3, and 4 and 5). In short, the "A" option sets up nicely for a team top heavy in the rotation -- the ace and No. 2 could get two starts each in the best-of-five series -- while the "B" option is more beneficial for a team with rotation depth.

The good news for the Yankees and the reason they're using all the time allowed to make the decision -- it's due within one hour after learning their first-round opponent -- is they are top heavy and have depth.

If they go with "A," CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett could get two starts each while, likely, Andy Pettitte would get the other one and Joba Chamberlain could go back to the bullpen, where he belongs (the 'pen, also a Yankees strength, benefits from the extra rest provided by schedule "A"). With "B," Sabathia could get two starts, while Burnett, Pettitte and Chamberlain likely would get one each.

"I think you look at your opponent, and that could have something to do with it," skipper Joe Girardi, preparing for his first postseason appearance as a major league manager, told MLB.com. "To me, I don't think it would be fair to pick which series you want until you actually know who your opponent is."

Translation, or at least what I take from that explanation: If the Tigers make the postseason, the Yankees are likely to go with option "B," so they don't face Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson two times each. That would, barring a sweep, guarantee at least a start for Eddie Bonine or Nate Robertson. Umm, advantage Empire?

In turn, if the Twins advance, their starting pitching is, essentially, mediocre at best from top to bottom -- their rotation's 4.84 ERA is seventh-worst -- and there's nobody the Yankees would mind facing twice, so look for option "A" there.

Getz turns sights to 2010

Former Grosse Pointe South star Chris Getz 's first full season has been cut short by another injury. The White Sox second baseman is scheduled to have hernia surgery Friday.

"I think the recovery time will take about six weeks before you can start being fully active again," Getz told the Chicago Sun-Times. "That's why it's better to get it done now so I can fully prepare for the start of the 2010 season."

Getz, who also missed time because of a broken finger and a strained oblique (that turned out to be the sports hernia), played in 107 games. He hit .261 with 18 doubles, two homers, 31 RBIs and 25 stolen bases in 27 attempts (an American League-best 92.6-percent success rate).

Getz might enter spring training as the club's designated starting second baseman. He got the most starts there this season, and his understudies -- Jayson Nix (.225) and Brent Lillibridge (.153) -- did nothing to suggest they deserve a longer look.

That said, the White Sox do have a second baseman excelling, at least offensively, in the minor leagues (C.J. Retherford is hitting .297 with 10 home runs and 76 RBIs in Double A).

Diamond digits

1 Playoff appearances for the Indians during Eric Wedge's seven seasons, a Central title in 2007.

9 Major leaguers the Indians have traded since January 2008, including Victor Martinez (Red Sox) and Cliff Lee (Phillies) this year and CC Sabathia (Brewers) last July.

Money can't buy everything

With the Twins pushing for a fourth postseason appearance in eight years despite annually boasting one of the lowest payrolls, here's a look back to the most-frugal teams to make the playoffs the past 20 years:

* Won World Series; no playoffs in 1994; 26 teams through '92, 28 from '93-97, and 30 since.

Source: USA Today, Detroit News research

Postseason push

The week ahead for the American League Central contenders:

Detroit Tigers (85-73)

Week ahead: Today vs. MIN; Friday-Sunday vs. CWS

Outlook: The Tigers couldn't have drawn a tougher final opponent than the White Sox, who, dead or alive, always seem to play their best against the Tigers. Want a sign of what the series means to them? Manager Ozzie Guillen pushed ace Jake Peavy's start back from Thursday to Friday, so he could pitch the opener.

Minnesota Twins (82-76)

Week ahead: Today vs. DET; Friday-Sunday vs. KCR

Outlook: They didn't have the problem with the pesky Royals last weekend many teams recently had, but if they need sweep to clinch the division, that's gonna be tough. Likely Cy Young winner Zack Greinke, who dominated them last weekend, gets one more start Saturday afternoon.

Tony's top five

• 1. N.Y. Yankees (1): They're 48-1 (98%) when holding opponents to 2 runs or fewer.

• 2. L.A. Dodgers (2): Joe Torre got a record-tying 14th straight playoff appearance.

• 3. L.A. Angels (5): They secured 4th AL West 3-peat, 1st since 1988-90 Athletics.

• 4. Boston (3): They earned MLB-most 8th wild card (Yankees are 2nd with 3).

• 5. Philadelphia (4): They've scored major league-best 45.2 percent of runs via HRs.

Tony's bottom five

• 26. Arizona (26): Kirk Gibson sought more SBs, and got 'em -- 101 is 6th-best in NL.

• 27. Cleveland (27): They've used 52 players, including majors-most 29 pitchers.

• 28. Pittsburgh (29): Club is 20-56 in road games, including 2-17 in previous 18.

• 29. Baltimore (28): They're 3rd team since '97 with 12-game skid in September.

• 30. Washington (30) : They've hit 36 more HRs than '08, the 4th-best surge in MLB.

Note: Last week's rankings in parentheses.