Yankee Dominance

The New York Yankees are the best team in baseball. Not only am I stating my opinion because over the last few weeks they have demolished every opponent, but they now carry the best record in baseball. They also carry the largest lead for any team in their division, 6.5 games. The Yankees continued their utter destruction last night in Seattle when they got a game winning HR by Mark Teixeira in the top of the 9th in a 2-2 game. After tacking on another run, Mariano came in and shut the door on the Mariners for the 2nd win in a row in this series. They had previously won on Thursday night behind the Yankees 11 run offensive explosion and CC's 8 innings of 1 run ball and season high 10 strikeouts. Pettitte matched CC last night with a season high 10 Ks of his own in a very good performance. Pettitte struggled out of the gate with 3 consecutive hits to start the game, but bared down and finished the inning and the game strong with 6 innings of only 2 runs. Although Pettitte pitched well, again he left the game tied or behind, the story of the second half for him.

Andy's last start before the break was a loss to the Angels and he gave up 6 runs and his ERA ballooned to 4.85. Since then, he has had 6 starts and has given up only 9 runs in 39 2/3 innings, that's posting a 2.05 era in that span. He recorded quality starts in 5/6 starts and in the one non quality start it was the pen that let up all his runners left on base. His era has dropped from the 4.85 mark to 4.09 now. He also has struck out 8, 7, 8, 6, 4, and 10 batters in his 6 starts in the 2nd half, thats 43 in 39 2/3 innings. Despite this resurgent Andy, he has only 1 win to show for his efforts and 5 no decisions, although the Yankee have won 3/5 no decision games. Pettitte is giving the Yankees the pitching length and success that they need right now as both Mitre and Gaudin are in the rotation and cannot provide either consistently.

Even with Mitre in the rotation and now Gaudin, and a multitude of injuries (Arod, Jeter, Posada, Gardner, Rivera) the Yankees are playing their best ball of the season right now. The front end of the rotation is as strong as ever, the lineup is scoring runs in bunches especially in late inning pressure situations, and the bullpen is no longer a weak point, but a strength. Brian Bruney pitched last night in a tie game and looked good, he might have brought himself back into the old form which will be crucial for the pen. Aceves is continuing to play great and of course Hughes and Rivera. Not to mention Coke and Robertson who have been doing a fine job and are young up and comers with good stuff. The Yankees look poised to continue to sweep crummy teams and make a play at the best overall record in the AL. With the way they are going now I can only hope they stay at this level because this bodes well for October. They continue play tonight in Seattle at 10 with Mitre on hill. It'll be for 5 in a row and 11/12.