I don’t think my post is going to have any bearing on whether they win or lose tonight…so here goes…

Are the Yanks instituting a Yankee Stadium advantage? Or at least the perception of one? Honestly, the homers are flying out for both the Yankees and the opposition. So,  it’s more of a matter that they Yankees are playing well than that there is some kind of advantage.

However, the Twins couldn’t wait to leave New York. And I’m guessing the Orioles felt the same way. There is something to be said for the opposition not finding success in your home park. It’s a good thing. Now they just need to make Boston uncomfortable during their next visit.

The Phillies have won because of their bats. Their pitching has been horrible. Although, I think they’re coming around. I suspect a home run barrage this weekend. Howard, Utley, Ibanez et al are all probably itching to launch a ball into the wind tunnel. Let’s just hope the Yankees launch more of them.

Thoughts/Observations

  • Cano is heating back up. He has been susceptible to a long slump, but it appears he has learned that looking for the long ball isn’t the way to get out of a slump. It’s nice to see him get back on track so quickly.
  • Tex is hot. And they’re now being more careful with him recognizing that A-Rod is still getting his timing down. Regardless, opposing pitchers all know that putting runners on in front of A-Rod is always dangerous regardless of his batting average. At any time, he is capable of a game-altering bomb.
  • It’s no surprise that the team started winning upon A-Rod’s return. A-Rod lengthens the lineup, and when your team scores early…the starters calm down a bit more and get into a groove. This has been the case throughout the winning streak.
  • I think the Yankees are getting more comfortable in their new digs. That makes the fact that this winning streak happened at home even more important. Yanks are more comfortable at home, opposition isn’t.
  • Aceves is valuable.
  • Albaladejo is a home run waiting to happen.
  • Seems like Joba’s knee bruise might extend Hughes life in the rotation. Joba says he’s 100%, but Girardi will be careful with him. Maybe he’ll see some action in the pen to keep him fresh. Wink-wink.
  • Wang has pitched well in extended spring baseball, BUT…his velocity is still lackluster. I’m concerned that those gaudy extended spring numbers won’t translate into success once he returns. His sinker is special because it’s a HARD sinker. Two/three years ago he would occassionaly hit 97 on the gun. Rarely, but he did do it. Now he’s barely reaching 89-90.
  • I don’t really care about the pies in the face or the kangaroo court. Micheal Kay is making a big deal about it because, “it isn’t how things are done here”. Every team has it’s own personality. This team can’t be expected to act like the ‘98 team. It’s a completely different group of people. You can’t take a person and ask them to be something they aren’t. In my very humble opinion, that stands in the way of team chemistry. Unless, of course, it’s unfavorable behavior. But the team is responding to it. And winning cures everything. So I say, throw pies, hold kangaroo court, dress up like hobbits and pixies…whatever…as long as the team is loose and winning…and building chemistry…it’s all good. It isn’t a CPA firm…it’s a baseball team for pete sake.
  • As long as they’re winning….I could care less about this tidbit, but if General George was still at the helm, would Swisher’s mohawk be acceptable?

Well…a Happy Memorial Day weekend to everyone! And let’s not forget the genesis of this holiday. It’s important to keep that in mind while we enjoy the freedom to grill as many Premio Sausages on our grill as we please this weekend regardless of whether or not our President is disenfranchising the country.

Go Yanks