2015 MLB Playoffs: How far will the Yankees go?

In a famous, old beer commercial, then-Yankees manager Billy Martin was asked to decide if the main attribute of a particular brand was the fact that is was less filling or that it tasted great.

“I feel very strongly both ways," the always diplomatic Martin said.

On the subject of whether the New York Yankees will add World Series championship flag No. 28 to the array that rings the top of their ballpark, I would have to say I agree with Billy.

I could see the 2015 Yankees making a strong run at the playoffs this season. I could also see them making a quick exit.

Here are the reasons for that:

FIVE REASONS THE YANKEES CAN GO ALL THE WAY

The Yankees' bullpen is good -- really good. It's also overworked.

1. The bullpen is tough

The Yankees posted the best record in baseball when leading after six innings (66-3) and after seven innings (73-2), and the reasons for that are obvious: Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances, with some help from Justin Wilson and, earlier in the season, Chasen Shreve. Betances, particularly, has been deadly. He led all relievers in strikeouts (131), was second in the AL in strikeouts per nine innings (14.04; Miller was first with 14.60) and was first among all relievers in WAR (3.8). With Miller converting 36 of 38 save opportunities, the Yankees led the league in save percentage (80 percent). When the Yankees get the ball to these two, odds are the game is over.

2. They hit the ball out of the park

The Yankees were fourth in MLB in home runs (212), had nine players in double figures and had two with more than 30 homers (Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez) and one with more than 25 (Brian McCann). The Yankees aren't just taking advantage of the short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium; they hit 114 HRs at home and 98 on the road. They have a lot of players with the capability to change a game with one swing of the bat.

3. Tanaka, Severino and Pineda are good

These three were a combined 29-20 with a 3.77 ERA. They averaged 8.38 Ks per nine innings. Masahiro Tanaka has shown that in spite of a partially torn UCL and a growing familiarity with his repertoire around the league, his stuff still plays. On certain days, Michael Pineda seems as overpowering as any starter in baseball. Also, Luis Severino has lived up to his advance billing so far.

4. Young blood at first base

Thrust into an everyday role due to the injury to Teixeira, Greg Bird has hit for power, driven in runs and played a creditable if not Teixeira-caliber first base. The 22-year-old hit home runs at nearly the same rate as Teixeira (once every 14.3 ABs as opposed to one every 12.6 ABs) and projected over 162 games, his numbers come out to 39 HRs and 109 RBIs.

5. A-Rod

Always the wild card in any series -- including the wild-card game -- it seems as if all roads lead to Route 13. You just know that a key moment of the game is going to find Rodriguez at the plate, and this season, his numbers tell you he is likely to come through. Who would have expected 33 home runs, 86 RBIs and an .842 OPS out of a 40-year-old who had been off for a year? Who's to say what other surprises A-Rod has up his sleeve in October?

FIVE REASONS THE YANKEES CAN'T GO ALL THE WAY

Alex Rodriguez will be a wild card in the wild-card game and possibly beyond. How will rookie Greg Bird comport himself in the playoffs?

1. The bullpen is tired

Betances threw more innings (84) and more pitches than any reliever in baseball, and lately, he has struggled with his control. He was also more hittable in September, with opponents hitting .224 off him, which might not seem like much, until you consider the league was batting .126 off him before the All-Star break. In fact, the entire bullpen has looked to be running out of steam. Its ERA in September was 5.15, and its WHIP was 1.615 -- both season highs. Even Miller saw his WHIP jump from 0.72 in the first half to 0.99 in the second half, and Joe Girardi now seems afraid to use Shreve, who went the entire month of June without allowing an earned run.

2. They're not good with RISP

Yes, the Yankees hit a lot of home runs, but the bad news is when they’re not hitting home runs, they’re not scoring very much. They were 12-31 in games in which they did not hit a home run. Although their team batting average with runners in scoring position was a respectable .256, they drove in just 20.6 percent of those runners, 24th in baseball, according to Elias. Once again, timely hits have been hard to come by.

3. Tanaka is hurt, Pineda is inconsistent, and Severino is a kid

The Yankees have been extremely cautious with Tanaka, and for good reason: They know that on any given pitch, he could be done for at least a year. The gamble on a nonsurgical rehab for his torn elbow ligament has worked out so far, but he has still missed significant time this season because of injury. Pineda had a transcendent performance May 10, when he struck out 16 Orioles. After that, he was 7-10, and his ERA rose from 2.72 to 4.37. Severino turned 21 in February, and despite the poise he has shown in 11 regular-season starts, the pressure -- and quality of opposition -- in October is a whole different animal.

4. Inexperience at first base

Bird will be facing the absolute best of the best in the postseason, and he might find it a little more difficult to hit the Keuchels and Prices and Cuetos than he did in the regular season. Also, his glove might come under scrutiny. In tight playoff games, teams can’t afford a first baseman who is unable to save his infielders, particularly the erratic-throwing Chase Headley, from errors.

5. A-Rod

Because he’s A-Rod. Because his past four postseason series have not been ones to remember. In the 2010 ALCS, he batted .190; in the 2011 ALDS, .111; in the 2012 ALDS, .125; and in the disastrous 2012 ALCS, a series in which he was benched several times, dropped in the lineup and pinch-hit for, .111. As always, the pressure will be on him -- maybe more so this season because of the absence of Teixeira. It will be interesting to see how he responds to it.