All Star break
It is really not the mid-point of the season since the Yankees have played 95 games and only have 67 left to go. They really need to get on a roll. The clock is ticking. If they go 40-27 the rest of the way, that is 90 wins and I am not sure enough for a playoff spot. They really need to go 45-22 which will be a major challenge. The only other hope is the Twinkies, Rays and A’s all completely implode and 90 wins is enough for a wild card spot.
All -star report Card.
Starting Pitching - B+
If Wang did not get hurt, they would have an A-. Pettite has been strong. Moose has been strong. Chamberlain has been decent as a kid learning to start in the majors. Rasner and company have kept the Yanks in most games. For the most part, the strating pitching for the Yanks has been solid.
Relief Pitching - A-
Mo has been great. Ramirez is developing into a decent setup guy. Veres and Farnsworth have over-achieved. The Yanks have not really blown too many games late this year.
Offense - D
This hase been the achilles heal for the team all year. Who would have thunk it. Between injuries and lack of clutch hitting, the team is 50-45. With just a little more hitting out of this team and the Yanks could be 55-40 easily. Their RISP team average is about .250 which is aweful. Of the Yanks do not start hitting, it will be a long offseason.
Defense - B
Overall, the defense has been good. Giambi is playing good at first. Cano and Jeter are good up the middle and A-rod is good at third. Mlky makes up for his lack of a bat with very good CF defense and LF has been good with Damon, Matsui and now Gardner and Christain. Abreu stinks in RF. He has a nice arm but does not hussle in RF. He will make the routine play but I do not think I have ever seen the guy dive or make a real nice catch in RF. His option is up next year and I do not think the Yanks should bring him back. His defense costs the team runs (he couldn’t cut off a ball yesterday that led the a base clearing triple instead of a double) and his bat is not getting any better.
I will be away most of this week and half of next week. Hopefully when I get back the Yanks will be 3-4 games out of first.
