Boy, Am I Glad I Was Wrong

Last week I was out on the ledge, having declared the Yankee season over.

Boy, am I glad I was wrong!

The Yankees clinched at least the AL Wild Card last night. They still have some time to win the AL East, although I don't think that's going to happen. But, hey, I've been wrong before!

Congratulations to the New York Yankees!

Out On The Ledge

Things were looking pretty good for the Yankees after the first two games of the just-completed Rays series. They had won those two games and, with CC Sabathia pitching in game 4, it looked as if they could at least take 3 out of 4 from the Rays. But the Yankee bullpen had other ideas. Bad ideas.

I don't have a good feeling about the Yankees right now. If they don't play well against Boston and Toronto over the next week it could be curtains for the Bronx Bombers. Do you want to know a secret? I don't think they will play well.

I think the Yankee season ended last night when Javier Vazquez hit three consecutive batters. What was that? Just horrendous. And sad.

So, I am sorry, fellow Yankee fans. The season is over. I'm out on the ledge, getting ready to jump.

Reflections on a Road Trip & A Look Forward

Well, the latest road trip for the Yankees was definitely one to forget.  A 3-6 record with 4 walk-off losses doesn't a memorable trip make. Horrible. Just horrible!

There were three bright spots during the trip. One was Andy Pettitte. He really gave the pitching rotation a boost with his performance yesterday, so much so that I feel more confident now about the playoffs. Another was the one win in Tampa Bay. Posada's pinch hit home run and Greg Golson's throw were money. The last bright spot was Derek Jeter's acting job. I don't know what all the hoopla was about regarding it. It's part of the game. Good job, Derek.

Looking ahead to the final homestand at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees have four games against Tampa Bay starting tonight and three against Boston. Then they close out the season with three in Toronto and three in Boston. No easy games the rest of the way. It'll be a hard-won playoff spot when the Yankees finally clinch it.

Speaking of tonight, it was good to hear that Joe Torre will be at the Stadium for the Steinbrenner memorial, although, I hope that doesn't mean he has any chance of coming back to manage the Yankees next year.  I think the Yankees were right not to renew his contract a few years ago. Hopefully in a few months I won't be saying "Say it ain't so, Joe!"

Heaven Help The Yankees Starting Rotation

Let's face it: The Yankees don't have great starting pitching. However, the match ups for the Tampa series, which starts tonight, don't look half bad.

Tonight their ace CC Sabathia goes against David Price. I have to say I think this match up favors the Yankees. They have beaten Price before and Sabathia is, well, Sabathia.

Ivan Nova will pitch the second game against Matt Garza. Garza's been very good this season but Nova has held his own against some tough competition. That being said, Garza has the upper hand.

In the finale of the series it will be Phil Hughes vs James Shields.  Both these pitchers have struggled this season.  Seeing how the Yankees have clobbered Shields in the past, however, I give Hughes (well, the Yankees, really) a slight edge.

Looking ahead to the next series in Baltimore, we find some good news for the Yankees: Andy Pettitte is expected to pitch the finale on Sunday. If he's completely healthy he'll bolster this rotation and I'll be ready to declare it ready for the postseason. Until then, heaven help it.

It's Not Getting any Easier

So I was wrong about CC Sabathia. He didn't get his 20th win the other night. Oh, well. How does the saying go? "If at first you don't succeed try, try again?"

Sabathia will be trying again on Monday against those Tampa Bay Rays who drive me crazy. It appears that his opposing pitcher will be David Price. What a matchup. What a series it promises to be!

Speaking of the Rays, the Yankees have 6 total games remaining with them. They currently have a 2.5 game lead on Tampa Bay, but as we all know, that could change over the weekend. The Yankees are in Texas this weekend, facing, among others, Cliff Lee. The Rays will be in Toronto, facing the pesky Blue Jays.

It won't be easy.

CC Sabathia Goes for Win Number 20 Tonight

With 19 wins to his credit, CC Sabathia has the rest of this month to collect win number 20. He takes his first crack at it tonight against the Orioles.

I don't know why, but I have a feeling he's going to do it tonight. I can't give you any stats or meaningful arguments. I just think he's going to do it tonight.

If he does he'll join the Black Aces, as mentioned on the blog Bronx Baseball Daily. This is a very interesting blog post from mid-August about a book written by Mudcat Grant, about African-American pitchers who have won 20 games. Take a look at it if you get a chance.