Magic Number is Five

The magic number to clinch the AL East division is now five games for the New York Yankees. A game is gained whether they win or Boston loses. When playing Boston this weekend, they can gain two games on that magic number with each win. If all goes right, the Yankees will clinch this weekend at home against the Sox.

Months ago the Yankees were 0-8 against Boston and trailing the division by about five games. No one thought they would be at the point they are at now during the stretch. It really has been an enjoyable season. Besides a few bumps in the road (the first month without A-Rod, Jobas struggles as a starter, a few very rough starts from AJ Burnett, and some other small bumps), this has been an incredibly successful team. They just took a series from the Angels on the road for the first time since 2004. It was a very big series win as the Angels are a possible playoff opponent and they needed to give themselves confidence that they could beat them in LA.

Although the Yankee attitude is "the World Series must be won for it to be a successful season," either way you look at it, it really has been a great season. A lot of luck is involved in short series in the playoffs. Hopefully this Yankee team can find the will and way to win 11 postseason games. They really deserve it.

State of the Yanks

What a season so far for the New York Yankees. After an average start while playing without Alex Rodriguez for the first month, they have been hot ever since. The Yanks now sit 39 games over 500, with the division basically won.

It will be nice to see recently called up Shelley Duncan get some at bats in the last few weeks of the season. Shelley has always been one of my favorite players.

When will Derek Jeter break Lou Gehrig's Yankee hit record? Four hits to go...we shall see.

Coming Back

Interesting game for the Yanks last night. Joba was once again awful. If they are not going to pitch him on normal rest, there is no point in starting him at all. Clearly it is messing with him as he hasn't succeeded at all when not given five days rest.

This Yankee team always gives you the feeling that they will come back. Down five runs in the ninth last night, they still almost won the game. I believe that Nick Swisher who has 20 plus home runs should not be bunting in that situation. However, the team will lose games, it is quite impressive how they come back all of the time. Exciting ninth inning until the end.

Let's hope the Yanks take tonight's game and set themselves up to win yet another series.

Big W

Big win last night for the Yankees. It has been rare this year to see the Yankees go on losing streaks. Last night they stopped the possibility of a three game skid with a 7-2 victory over the A's. C.C. Sabathia was great as he pitched eight innings and was able to get his 14th win of the season. With the way he's been pitching lately, there's still an outside chance that he will win 20 games. What a feat that would be in his first season as a Yankee.

The Yanks square off against the A's tonight in the series finale. They then have tomorrow off to travel and go into Boston for another three game series with their arch rival.

The Yankees have an opportunity to basically put the division away if they sweep in Boston. They would have a 10 game lead in the AL East.

7.5

After winning their fifth straight game last night, the Yankees now have secured a 7.5 game lead in the division. About three weeks ago when the Yankees were 0-8 against the Red Sox on the season who would have ever thought they would be where they are right now.

This isn't just a good Yankee team. They are a great Yankee team. They have 74 wins. No one else in baseball has reached 70 wins. Forgetting about the first month of the season when the Yankees were without A-Rod, they have been virtually hot this entire season. They had one awful stretch that lasted for about nine games in June, but other than that, wow.

Joba on the mound today in Seattle as the Yankees look for their second sweep in three series and look to go 32 games over 500.

State of the Yankees

The Yankees are 15-2 at home since the all-star break. They have won eight of nine and are still rolling. They are at their high water mark of the season at 71-43. They hold a 5.5 game lead over Boston in the division.

Another walk off win for the Yanks today as Robbie Cano came through with an RBI single in the 11th. It is nice to see Robbie get a walk off hit.

As the Yankees go out west, they need to continue to play well and win series. While Boston is 5.5 games back, it's easy to creep up.

Some possible injuries today. A-Rod and Jeter were both hit with pitches today. Alex in the elbow and Derek in the foot. Nothing too serious, but I wouldn't be surprised if Alex was given a few days off.

It's Arrived

Well, it's August 6th. The long awaited Yankees-Red Sox series is here. Four games at the stadium in the Bronx. The Yanks, who hold a 2.5 game lead on Boston in the division are 0-8 against the Sox and have basically been dominated by them. Tonight is a MUST WIN for the Yankees. With Jason Bay out, there is no excuse for losing this game.

Joba has been excellent in the second half so far and needs to keep that up. A-Rod is 1-10 this season so far against Boston in three games. A big night/series for him would be another huge boost for the Yankees. When Alex hits, they hit. My Prediction: Yanks take three out of four.