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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.

Y-A-N-K-E-E-S. A team with a 5.00 team pitching ERA and all you can muster up is 2 runs on one base hit. They score 3 runs back in June off Maholm but he looks like Warren Spahn last night. Ugh.

Is Posada unhappy about playing first? I have 13 million reasons why he should stop complaining. For the money he is making he should play hard wherever he is put. Catcher, First base, shortstop, Centerfield.

The Yanks need a big series this weekend to go into the break on a high note. Should be a fun game tonight with Joba versus the doc.

Should the Yankees make any big splashes before July 31st?

Harden and Sabathia are already moved but their is plenty of other options out their are teams realize they are not a playoff team. Arroyo, Maddux, Bedard, etc.

Should the Yanks trade away some young talent to make a push for September? Who is worth giving up?

I am old fashioned and like the develop players so I lean towards stick with the movement. I rather miss the playoffs this year but win 2-3 world series over the next 5-6 years.

The Yanks farm system is stacked with good young arms but the tough and nearly impossible part is who to identify will be a star and who will fizzle out. Betances. Next Daniel Cabrera ir next 20 game winner? Can Kennedy become a young Mike Mussina? Will Hughes be a Mark Prior or a very good pitcher?

It should be interesting over the next 2 weeks to see what or if the Yankees make any moves.

49-42 is not looking that bad after all that the team has been through this year. 3 out of 4 going into the break and the Yankees would be 52-43 with 67 games to go.

Look at Cano and Cabrera’s July, August and September numbers are there is an optimism they can have a very good second half.

I am still not a believer in Rasner and Ponson long term so something will have to be done there. Should they have gotten Harden or Sabathia? Tough one to answer. Is Cashman being too trusting of the young arms. Kennedy got roughed up a little in his last AAA start. Guys like Horne, McCutchen, Marquez will need time to develop.

Very good win today. Nice to take 2 from a first place team. Stinks that the Twinkies imploded today and lost last night against the Sox. Baseball is a long season and anything can happen. With the A’s pretty much throwing in the hat I cannot see another wild card team give the Yanks trouble. It is going to come down to the Rays and Sox. The Twins are always tough but I cannot see them being a force in the 2nd half.

Makeup game tomorrow against the Pirates with Moose on the mound. Need to kick some NL butt tomorrow.

Did ya miss me?

The Yankees STILL seem to be treading water. Big 2 game series starting tonight against the Rays. Need a nice 2 game sweep to show them who is the boss.

Has anyone else noticed that Posada’s arm is pretty weak lately? Is he a liability behind the plate? He obviously is not throwing 100%.

Gardner has always been an underdog and is always doubted. Mad Dog on 660 was bashing him saying he should be on the Royals, not the Yankees. The more I listen to 660 the more I realize Mad Dog does not know much about baseball. It is not all about corner outfielders hitting 40 hr’s, pitchers that throw 97 mph, or one player. Gardner is not going to hit 20 Hr’s but he plays very good defense and has the type of speed that disrupts teams. Dave Roberts, 2004 is all I have to say. That Stolen Base still hurts.

I am also rooting for Robertson. I follow a lot of Yankee minor league teams/news and there has been discussions about his velocity. I was at the game last Tuesday and the radar gun at the stadium had him at 93-94. Reports were he only throws 90-91. I think he can be a good middle reliever.

I am bummed the Dorf man is at AAA. I still really like his stuff but results are much more important than stuff.

I will say it again. Melancon will not see the Bronx this year.

With Damon and Matsui out do we see more Posada at first and Giambi DH’ing? I know “The stache” does not like to DH but at this point I rather have Molina catching than Posada. I guess it all depends on match-ups.

So far I have liked how Girardi is managing this team. There have been a lot of injuries and moving parts and to be 47-42 is a good thing. He is not burning anyone out and trying to balance development with making the playoffs. I think next year when Giambi, Pavano, Moose, Pettite Farnsworth come off the books the Yanks will be in a good position. I like the plan they have right now.

5 out of the next 6 and a 52-43 record at the All star break will be nice.