ARLINGTON, Texas — They have nearly four times the payroll, 14 more numbers retired, 40 more American League pennants and 27 more World Series trophies.
They are the Yankees, and when it comes to playing the Rangers in the American League Championship Series that opens here Friday night, it is like the men against the boys. Or, more aptly, the men against the babies.
These Yankees are proud, intimidating and experienced.
Most of all, experienced.
Think about this: The Rangers franchise never has won a postseason game at home, even when it was the Washington Senators; the Yankees won seven last year alone.
And this: Since leaving the Rangers after 2003, Alex Rodriguez had appeared in more postseason games (39 before this year) than any member of the Rangers had with any team ( Vladimir Guerrero and Bengie Molina had 29 each before this season).
And this: Derek Jeter had appeared in more postseason games (138 before this fall) than the five with such experience on the Rangers combined (78).
And this: Andy Pettitte had started more postseason games (40) than Friday's starter, C.J. Wilson, has started overall in his career (39).
Wilson faces the Yankees' CC Sabathia, who has 11 playoff starts.
So the question becomes: Does postseason experience matter, or is it just another one of those overblown nonfactors?
"I would imagine if you have a ton of postseason experience, it helps," Rangers third baseman Michael Young said. "But one thing we have had this year, even with the five games we've played (in the postseason), is hard-fought game experience.
"So we're going to hang our hat on that. That's all we have, and we're proud of that."
Young is right about the Rangers somehow surviving the ALDS against the more experienced Rays by winning three games on the road.
"Experience is very important," said Guerrero, whose Angels lost to the Yankees in the ALDS last year. "But (our) guys made it through the first round. It was the first time for them and they did good."
Darren Oliver, who had pitched in 14 playoff games before this season, said it would help to have "been in certain situations before, like when you have a bad game and you know how to shake it off."
What matters, of course, is how players handle the pressure of a second round that will decide the AL pennant. It is something Rangers and Senators fans haven't experienced in 50 years of existence. Yankees fans, of course, not only have been through it but expect to win.
In the end, postseason series usually are decided by pitching, and for the record, Sabathia is 4-1 in the postseason as a Yankee.