The American League championship series is now set. The two teams with the best records during the regular season swept their way out of the divisional round. On one hand you have the New York Yankees, who have not won a World Series since 2000, and on the other you have the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who have had early postseason exits the last couple years. The two best teams in baseball are dueling for the chance to play in the Fall Classic.

The Yankees have only four members of their last championship team on the roster, but they are big names. Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera all were members of the 2000 World Series team. They were all instrumental in their opening round of these playoffs. Posada, along with A-Rod, hit seventh-inning home runs in the final game of the Yanks' three-game sweep of the Twins. Rivera got the final four outs to preserve Pettitte's record-tying 15th career postseason win. Jeter batted .400 in the series making it a total team effort.

The Yanks saw the Red Sox run out to a lead in the American League East early this season, but this Yankee offense is as scary as it's been in a decade. It did take some time for the bats to get going, and A-Rod had a late start to the season after a hip injury. Once the team got going, it became clear that they were the best team in baseball and claimed their first division title since 2006.

Getting at least a hit in all three games against Minnesota, A-Rod finally broke out of his postseason slump. His homer in Game 3 really gives me the belief that he has the confidence to hit in big games at big moments.

Leading the AL in home runs and RBIs, and making his expensive salary completely worth it, Mark Teixeira has had an MVP-like season. We have seen this in the past: previous Yankee pick-ups getting paid extensively, but not performing on the field. But Teixeira proved to be one of the best signings of the offseason.

This season has also seen incredible starting pitching from the Yanks. Winter acquisitions C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett have anchored the team, and despite the heavy price tags, they have fit the bill. Overall the Yankees have just been the best team in the league top to bottom, and I refuse to bet against them winning it all this season.

Using a ninth-inning comeback at Fenway Park in Game 3 to finally beat Boston in a playoff series, the Angels swept the Red Sox in the ALDS. L.A. has lost in the divisional series to Boston the last two seasons. Because of this and despite the better record and their play down the stretch, the Angels were small underdogs in some experts' minds. However, this year the Angels have gotten over their postseason issues and have successfully built on a great regular season to find themselves four games from the World Series.

However, the Angels can't expect late-game rallies to propel them past the Yanks in the upcoming series. Even if they can catch New York on an off night offensively speaking, the pitching will be there and vice-versa. I just can't see the Yankees playing poorly on both sides in the postseason. I really don't see the Angels taking four from New York. I predict the Yankees to win in six games and go on to win their first World Series in nine years.