The American League Championship Series continued in exhilarating fashion last night in Anaheim as the Angels attempted to avoid elimination at the hands of the New York Yankees.

Yesterday I did not contribute to this column, but in case you missed it the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers decisively to return to the World Series for the second consecutive year.

Today I continue my “stars” column as the only series remaining before the World Series is yet to be complete.

New York Yankees @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Game 5 (Yankees lead 3-1)

Jeff Mathis

I personally had a very difficult time determining last night’s star as the contest between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim was a back and forth “barn burner” that literally kept my fingers gripped to the edge of my seat while watching.

With the Angels jumping out to a very early lead over the Yankees by manhandling starter AJ Burnett in the first inning, all the faith seemed to be on the Angels side.

You did not look like you were worth the money last night AJ.

John Lackey was pitching very well, the Angels offense had delivered early for the first game in the series and the crowd was behind the Halos.

Baseball viewers worldwide were shocked by the New York Yankees high octane offense yet again, when the Yankees cashed in six runs off John Lackey & Darren Oliver in the top of the seventh inning.

However, the Angels hopes and dreams were not dashed as of yet as the Angels bats awoke, answering the Yankees six with three of their own to take a 7-6 lead into the late innings.

The late innings although odd, were very exciting for baseball fans as the Angels even used starter Jered Weaver in the eighth inning to preserve their lead.

The game got most interesting in the ninth inning for the Yankees as they loaded the bases against the human heart attack Brian Fuentes.

The shaky Fuentes loaded the bases after getting the first two outs of the inning via an intentional pass to the hot hitting Alex Rodriguez, a walk to Hideki Matsui & a hit by pitch to Robinson Cano.

Fuentes would also fill the count against the next batter Nick Swisher causing the blood pressure of Angels fans all throughout the globe to rise drastically.

Fuentes would toss a 3-2 fastball directly down the pipe and watch as Swisher popped the ball up to shortstop Eric Aybar for the win. You could read Fuentes lips as he walked of the mound as he said “That was f*cked up” to catcher Jeff Mathis.

Speaking of Mathis, my star of the game had to go to him.

As I watched the game I knew I would have a tough decision to make on today’s pick, but Mathis really did in my opinion have the best game.

His play behind home plate is very impressive, but the man has really turned it on offensively in this postseason series against the Yankees.

Remember it was Mathis who had the game winning hit and very good showing for the Angels only other win in the series. Mathis looked next to unstoppable at the plate last night as well. Mathis was 3-4 with a run scored and his fourth double of the postseason. He even looked good on his only out of the game via a Joba Chamberlain fastball as he took several big rips at the plate.

I know it may not be the most popular choice, but Jeff Mathis was my star of the game, as the Angels backup catcher throughout the 2009 season has gained this honour twice in this series alone.

The American League Championship Series will move back to New Yankee Stadium Saturday as the Phillies await their opponent in this season’s World Series.

The game is scheduled for an 8:07pm EST start time and will feature Joe Saunders as the starter for the Angels against the Yankees Andy Pettitte.