The New York Yankees have yet to lose since the All-Star Break.
Yes – those New York Yankees. The one’s many pundits have forgotten about because they were consumed by the sexier first-half story of the Tampa Bay Rays.
I don’t know if I qualify as a pundit, but I certainly forgot about the Yankees when they dropped more than six games back in the AL East pre-All-Star Game. It’s exciting to talk about clubs not named the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, and it’s great that new teams like the Rays are competitive this year.
But after eight straight wins – the latest coming in a 10-3 rout of the Red Sox in Boston on Saturday – it’s time to start paying attention to the Bronx Bombers again. Everyone knows about the All-Star lineup, but now the pitching is finally starting to come together. Vets Mike Mussina (13-6) and Andy Pettite (12-7) have both bounced back from brutal 2007 campaigns, plus youngster Joba Chamberlain (2.30 ERA) is starting to flash his immense talent. And is Sidney Ponson really 6-1?
Pitching is the key to the Yankees success this year. Pitching is the key to the Yankees’ success every year. After adding yet another quality bat in Xavier Nady (.327 BA) and more bullpen help in Damaso Marte thanks to a recent trade with the Pirates, the Bombers have once again put themselves in a tremendous position to make a second half run.
Comment fodder: Will the Yankees’ pitching hold up? How much will Nady and Marte add to the club? Or if you can’t stand the Yankees, can the Rays and Red Sox keep the Evil Empire from reaching the postseason?
