Mind the Gap

by jscape2000 on Aug 16, 2008 10:52 PM EDT

We're six back of Boston for the wild card. We have to jump whichever of Minnesota and Chicago doesn't win the division (is the Central the most surprising division in baseball, or does Tampa's sudden championship aspirations win that story line?).

No matter what else, as tempting and intriguing as it is to plan for next season, this season ain't over 'til it's over. The Stadium's final regular season game (September 21st) will find us in a playoff race. Mark it on your calendars.

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Please give me

some of the weed you’re smokin’, homie. PLEASE>

by runbrettrun on Aug 16, 2008 11:04 PM EDT reply actions

Jscape is right

It isn’t over till its over and maybe Yankee stadium still has a little more magic left to give, as gay as that sounds.

"Hey Derek do you actually drive the Edge?","I don't drive that piece of crap!"

by Da Shiz on Aug 17, 2008 12:05 AM EDT reply actions

Not that there's anything wrong with that

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Aug 17, 2008 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Finally.

From here on out we almost exclusively play AL East teams. We have a three-game series against Boston over August 26-28, sandwiched by series against Toronto, Baltimore, and Toronto again.

Look at our schedule, starting September 2nd:
3 games @ TB
3 games @ SEA (easy sweep if we can go in with the right mindset)
3 games @ LAA (we may need that Mariners sweep to balance this out)
3 games vs TB
4 games vs CWS (let’s hope they’re the ones losing the AL Central race)
3 games vs BAL
3 games at TOR
3 games at BOS

We’re going to need to sweep one of the Boston/Tampa Bay series to make up the deficit in either the Wild Card or the AL East. Preferably the Boston series, since, you know, I doubt we’ll come close to winning the East.

But regardless, we’re playing the teams we want to be playing if we want to come back. I’m not saying they’ll do it, but with some good play in September they have a really good shot.

by dzawaki on Aug 17, 2008 1:26 AM EDT reply actions

You make a very good point

The White Sox have 4 games against the Yanks and Angels, 3 against Tampa and Boston.
The Twins have only 4 games with the Rays and 4 with LAA.

The Twins definitely have the easier schedule down the stretch, so we have to hope the White Sox falter (though I wouldn’t mind if they swept their games against Boston and Tampa!)

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Aug 17, 2008 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions

if the Yanks do fall completely out of it

hopefully the Twins can keep playing well and find a way to beat Boston out of the Wild Card. i think the Rays are going to cruise to the East title. even with the injuries they’ve shown no signs of slowing down. Sox spend most of September at Fenway (per usual – 16 home, 9 away) but outside of home series vs. Baltimore and Cleveland, they play all teams .500 or better.

by Clutch like Leyritz on Aug 17, 2008 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe someone can do the analysis of

whether the Yankees can make it into the playoffs without winning very many games.

Everything looks nicer when you win. The girls are prettier. The cigars taste better. The trees are greener. --Billy Martin

by garp on Aug 17, 2008 9:42 AM EDT reply actions

It's a good thing the yanks dont

have to play KC, Texas or any of the other teams who get their game faces on and compete to win. I’m scared of TB as they have owned the Yanks for years now. Let’s face it, this team doesn’t get that “need to win” attitude. No heart from the leadership (AROD, Abreau, even Jetes). Paul O’Neill wouldn’t have let things get to this. I want to watch a team who tries hard EVERY game.

by ilBrutto on Aug 17, 2008 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

Leadership

I generally dissagree with people that think certain players provide no leadership, because they aren’t in the clubhouse everyday seeing whats going on.

But Posada was a main leader on this Yankee team, and with Posada out, i havn’t seen any other player step up and pick up his slack. (At least from what i’ve seen on the field)

"Hey Derek do you actually drive the Edge?","I don't drive that piece of crap!"

by Da Shiz on Aug 17, 2008 9:35 PM EDT reply actions