The Associated Press

NEW YORK - When the New York Yankees have their way, all that postseason pressure is left in the delicately thin fingers of one man's right hand. Mariano Rivera rarely disappoints.

"It's a good feeling. That's why you're the closer. Otherwise, you wouldn't be doing that job," he said.

The Yankees have relied on Rivera throughout their run of four World Series titles and five pennants in the past seven years. They expect to do so again when the AL Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox begins tonight at Yankee Stadium.

"We would not be here, we would not be wearing the rings that we are wearing now if it was not for Mo. He's like a regular player, whether he's a shortstop or a center fielder or catcher or whatever," manager Joe Torre said. "I think Mo has to be in the back of teams' minds when you know he's sitting there in that bullpen. He's throwing the ball as well as he has thrown in all of the years I've been here."

That's a scary thought for the Red Sox, who have seen plenty of Rivera over the years and know how dominant he can be. After starting the season on the disabled list with a strained right groin, he converted 40 of 46 save chances and ended the year with a career-best 1.66 ERA. He did not allow a run in his last 15 appearances.

"I think every starter on the staff is glad that Mo is back at the back of the bullpen and throwing the ball the way he's been throwing it," said Mike Mussina, who will start Game 1 against knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. "We know if we can get to the ninth inning with a lead, we'll take our chances out there with him every single time."

Often in October, Torre won't even wait until the ninth to go to Mo - especially this season with New York's shaky setup situation. The four-time All-Star had a pair of two-inning saves in the first round against Minnesota, further demonstrating his ability to turn it up under postseason pressure. Rivera retired all 12 Twins he faced, extending his postseason record for career saves to 27.

The right-hander converted 23 consecutive postseason save opportunities before taking the loss in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series against Arizona, and he once pitched a record 33 1/3 straight scoreless innings in postseason play. "That's the key for us. Mo is the man in the postseason," Yankees starter David Wells said.

Nothing fires up the Yankee Stadium crowd more than when the bullpen door opens and Rivera runs out to Metallica's "Enter Sandman."

Rivera is completely rested heading into the ALCS - he hasn't pitched since Saturday - and that could make a big difference against Boston.

The Red Sox set a major-league record with 647 extra-base hits this season, and led the majors in runs, hits, total bases and doubles. They also showed a knack for late rallies in their first-round victory over Oakland, winning twice in their final at-bat.