To reach the Fall Classic against Philadelphia, the Yankees needed six games to dispatch the Angels. They had met previously in the 2002 and '05 ALDS, with the Angels advancing both times.

The Yankees won the first two games of this series at home. The first one was a 4-1 victory behind ALCS MVP CC Sabathia's eight innings of one-run ball. The second was a 4-3 thriller on a frigid and inclement night, courtesy of Alex Rodriguez's game-tying homer in the 11th followed in the 13th on a throwing error by second baseman Maicer Izturis that allowed Jerry Hairston Jr. to score the winning run.

In Game 3 at Angel Stadium, with the score tied at 4 in the 11th, Girardi made a widely second-guessed decision to replace reliever David Robertson with Alfredo Aceves. With two out and the bases empty, Aceves -- who had yielded a go-ahead homer in the 11th inning of Game 2 -- allowed a single to Howie Kendrick. Then Jeff Mathis hit a walk-off double, and it was a 2-1 Yankees lead in the series.

Game 4 was another Sabathia masterpiece and a 10-1 Yankees romp, and the Angels forced the series back to Yankee Stadium by holding on with a 7-6 win in Game 5 after blowing a 4-0 lead. Angels closer Brian Fuentes escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth, retiring Nick Swisher on a popup.

After a travel day and a rainout, the series resumed. Andy Pettitte further cemented his reputation as the ultimate clinch-game starter, Mariano Rivera converted a two-inning save and the Yankees earned their 40th AL pennant.

Alex Rodriguez, putting together a huge postseason and reaching his first World Series, hit three home runs in the ALCS -- half of his 2009 postseason total.

Path to the ALCS
ALDS: New York over Minnesota (3 games to 0); Los Angeles over Tampa Bay (3 games to 0) 

Managers: Joe Girardi, NYY; Mike Scioscia, LAA

MVP: CC Sabathia