The last time we spoke, I told you if they didn't win four of six this past week, they were in big trouble, if not done. This team's such a different team from even early August. This team works together, the starters are healthy, A-Rod's hitting, Soriano and Mark Reynolds have contributed big. But, the Yankees could've lost half the games this week very easily. Because the offense has clicked and is healthy, they've scored runs in BUNCHES as you've seen. Last Friday, CC was against the ropes, and then the Yankees grab a five-run inning to win 8-5. Labor Day they scored eight in the fourth against a bad White Sox bullpen. Wednesday, Kuroda had another bad outing, but the Yanks pulled the rabbit out of the hat-- a four-run eighth to win 6-4. Yesterday, CC had one of his best starts in a long time. Yes, he's gone 4-1 in his last 5 starts, but he pitched seven innings for the first time since August 7th. D-Rob had maybe his one really bad outing the whole year--it happens to the best of 'em. No matter, Mo came in, four up, four down for his 41st save of the year.
Now you have a gigantic, and hopefully exciting, weekend coming up. The Yankees have the absolute right man on the hill tonight: Supernova. Ivan Nova earned the August AL Pitcher of the Month award, which was caused single-handedly by the start against the Orioles last Saturday. He pitched like a MAN; complete game shutout, three hits, one walk and five strikeouts, against one of the toughest lineups in baseball. Want proof? They took a nice Andy Pettitte start on Sunday and flipped it around on the Yankee bullpen with a seven-run seventh inning. With CC's down year and Kuroda's recent struggles, it's been nice to watch Nova be Nova again.
Finally, they took Phil Hughes out of the rotation and put David Huff in. For those that don't know, David Huff's been in the long reliever role; he can give you five or six solid innings. In his past four starts, he's given up one run, six hits and struck out 10. I like Girardi's move to pencil him on on Saturday; I think he can match inning-for-inning with Lackey, but one mistake can be deadly, 'cause Lackey can still pitch deep into games, and he handed the Yankees their one loss a few weeks ago in Fenway. A long time ago, Lackey was a solid ace, but don't let the 8-12 record fool you.
Bottom line: I don't see the Yankees losing this series. I see them at least splitting. Nova's been amazing. Andy's (Friday's starter) been hot, particularly against the Sawx, and David Huff can fill that starter role. Should be a great weekend between the Yankees and all the FOOTBALL. YES, football's season's finally here; I know most Yankee fans are also Giants fans, so we'll all be watching the opener Sunday night. There's also a lot of great college action on Saturday, which I'll talk about on my own personal, and re-re-re-rebooted blog, Steel in South Florida. I'll post the link here tonight.
GO YANKEES! 'Till next time,
Neil Dwyer
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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)