They have seven quality starting pitchers and their fifth starter would be a No. 1 for some teams. Their entire infield went to the All-Star Game. They're on pace to challenge the all-time home run record. They have everything -- money, talent, prospects, an owner who wants to win, a terrific GM and a great manager. They are the Yankees, and they get better every day.

So, how do you beat them?

Beyond throwing Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling five times in a seven-game series, there is no formula. With the help of several scouts, here are some suggestions, some of which might work, most of which won't.

1. Don't play them straight up. If you do, you will lose. Be daring, challenge them. Hit-and-run in non-hit-and-run counts. Squeeze. Pitch out on 2-1 if you have to. Pitch out two pitches in a row. If you let them dictate the game, you're dead. Bring your closer in the game in a key spot in the sixth inning if that's where the game might be won. If you wait until the ninth, you're going to lose most games. If you have a chance to get an early run, go for it.

2. Run at every opportunity on center fielder Bernie Williams and left fielder Rondell White. Williams isn't throwing as well as he used to, White can't throw at all. Take the extra base. Go from first to third on every single hit to them, threaten a $1,000 fine for anyone who doesn't.

3. Make Jason Giambi throw the ball. He is a fabulous hitter, but he has trouble throwing. Bunt it to him and make him throw the ball to third. On the first move from a left-hander, take off for second and make Giambi throw you out. The more he handles the ball, the better.

4. Take advantage of Alfonso Soriano's inexperience at second base. He is an amazing talent, but he is not a polished second baseman. Run a delayed steal to see if he picks it up. Do anything you can to put him in positions where he is uncomfortable. He has done well adapting to a new position this quickly, but there are a number of plays with which he's unfamiliar on how to react.

5. Throw strikes. The Yankees don't have the same plate discipline they had three or four years ago. They don't walk like they used to, they strike out a lot more than they used to and they hit home runs at an alarming pace. Walking guys means two-run homers, three-run homers and grand slams. They have some guys, including Soriano, Raul Mondesi and Derek Jeter, who hit non-strikes hard, but you're much better off throwing it around the plate.

6. The Yankees, specifically Roger Clemens and Mike Mussina, pitch inside, which is one reason why they're so successful. Instead of backing off the plate, move up on it. Try to show them something they're not used to seeing. And quit trying to bust Jeter inside. No one can get in on him, as he stays inside the ball so well and shoots that inside pitch to the opposite field. Pitch him away and hope he doesn't hurt you too much. He's in his seventh season and has blown past 1,000 career hits, so the previous way hasn't worked.

Of coure, little has worked against the Yankees the last six years. Being daring and different is worth a try.

Tim Kurkjian is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine and a regular contributor to Baseball Tonight. E-mail tim.kurkjian@espnmag.com.