You Just Can't Kill The Beast

The Yankees are a weird bunch. They won their 2nd straight against the Rays, the team with the best home record, and overall record, in all of MLB. It was their 3rd straight game with 7 runs or more. Where was all this last week? Why do they wait until the last possible second to show signs of life. It's as if Rowdy Roddy Piper has Hulk Hogan in a sleeper hold, the ref has lifted the Hulkster's arm twice, and on the 3rd and final try, it falls, stops just short of the mat, and then Hulkamania kicks in and it's on. They still have a long way to go, and i still think it's way too much of a hole to climb out of, but they're definitely doing their best to make things interesting. I said right before the Rays series started that the Yanks, just to mess with us, would end up winning 6 straight (sweeping TB and Seattle), giving us all hope, only to tank against the Angels. I'm going to be pretty irked if that actually goes down. The thing the Yankees need to do right now is win and not worry about anyone else. Even with the Red Sox winning 3 straight, I'm still tabbing 95 wins as the magic number for the wild card. I'm not anticipating any great Red Sox collapse. So they have to go 20-3 the rest of the way. Still not liking their chances of doing that.

I didn't see much of the game yesterday. I had it on, but had other things I was devoting my attention to. The bullpen saved the day. 5 innings of 2 hit ball. Nice. They're really going to need to step it up this last month. The team needs all the help it can get and they can't afford to have shoddy performances in tight games. I'm pretty sure they're going to get called on a lot, especially when our starters can't even make it through 5 innings, with a lead no less. Girardi is going to have those guys on a short hook, as he should. I'd rather have any reliever, except for maybe Veras, get the ball over Pavano, Rasner, and especially Ponson. Phil Coke was again impressive. He'll prove to be a good call-up and valuable member of the bullpen/Yankees. I can though live without Michael Kay trying to have fun with his name and throwing out Coca-Cola slogans, like "have a Coke and a smile," or "I'd like to but the world a Coke." Michael Kay. Douche.

A-Rod has been an absolute monster in the month of September. I know it's only been 3 games but it's been impressive. 8-13 with 2 HRs, 7 runs scored, 9 RBI, and best of all, no GIDPs! Where was all of that in August? In August's 28 games, A-Rod went 25-103 (.243) with 6 HRs, 23 runs scored, 16 RBI and worst of all, 11 GIDPs. Alex really needs to be the A-Rod we're seeing now and not that of last month if the Yankees are going to win 87% of their remaining games. Put us on your back A-Rodacus and lead us to the promised land.

Tonight's finale in Tampa isn't going tp be a walk in the park. Rasner vs. Kazmir. The Yanks would be smart to get Kazmir's pitch count up quickly. He doesn't usually last very long, and if the Yanks play their game and try to work counts and whatnot, they might be OK. Rasner worries me. Hopefully, the offense keeps doing what they're doing.

Peace, love and Pinstripes,

J-Boogie