Assessing The Yankees - Week 4

                    

A sweep of the Red Sox in Boston capped off a very fruitful week that saw the club vault itself atop the AL East.  It was all systems go as the Yankees handles themselves very well against their two division foes. The team looks very confident in itself right now and if they can stay consistent, it could mean good things going forward.

The Good - Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances have looked nearly untouchable, surrendering no earned runs in 28 combined innings to go along with 48 strikeouts.  They are quickly becoming a dangerous duo that is sure to strike fear into the hearts of the entire Major Leagues.

- Jacoby Ellsbury flashed a steady bat, going 14-for-26 (.538) and collecting hits in all six games the team played.  His ability to set the table for the Yankee offense was important to this weeks success and will be vital for the games to come.  Combining him with Brett Gardner makes for a interesting dynamic should prove its worth if he keeps this up.

The Bad - Masahiro Tanaka's injury is a huge blow to the starting rotation that now must step up in his absence.  The recurrence of the slight UCL tear is an alarming sign that he could be headed for Tommy John surgery if the arm cannot heal within the month.  The decision to pitch him at the end of last season is proving to be a foolish one as the Yankees could be without the services of their ace for next calender year.

- Carlos Beltran has struggled mightily all season to produce for the Yankees.  He entered the week batting a mere .161 in 15 games and unable to find any type of consistency at the dish.  He did collect two hits in each of the two games he played at Fenway so things could be turning around for the beleaguered right fielder, but we will have to wait and see.

Update

Finally, yes FINALLY The Yankees have a win against the Red Sox. It was nice to see the offense get on Smoltz and not worry about trying to put too much pressure on themselves to get hits. The only thing that I didn't like was the 13 walks the pitching staff gave up including 7 by Joba, and I'm sure he knows that he is better than that. Now it's on to tonights game vs Beckett who I despise to no end, his cockiness may help him pitch well and win games but it does not put him in any good standing with me or any other Yankee fan. I hope Burnett can excercise his demons and have a great start, He really needs one against this team or the fans will give him the Randy Johnson treatment, even though he has been pitching well, However we all know how everything is magnified in New York especially when its the Red Sox.

I just wanted to put something out there in regards to the New York Knicks their pursuit for a better team. I realize that the Knicks want to put themselves in position to grab a top free agent in 2010 and I can respect that, but why are they not lookng to put together a good team now. They really need to resign Lee and Robinson bacause they have proven to be good players with a lot of heart and not rely on someone like Lebron James to come and lead them to a championship because it will not happen and personally, The only thing he will do is bring more fans to games and give an awe to everyone that comes to the Garden, which is like putting shiny rims on an old peice of junk car from the scrap yard. If the Knick want to go by anything to find out how to bring a good competitive team on the court they should listen to my grandfather who has been watching Knick games since 1949. New York has always been a blue collar city known for being tough and har nosed, The chants of the fans that started on the fateful evening aginst Lou Alcindor and the Bucks synbolized what the Knicks are truly all about...DEFENSE. As much as I must support what D'Antoni is trying to do nothing beats a team that plays good Defense and if anyone doubts that remember this...When your are Offensive, that means you smell.