Early season status; Nice start

A couple days past two weeks into the season, I was thinking about where we stand.  So, I thought I'd write a post.

The Yanks are 8 and 5.  That's a winning percentage of  .615 which is on pace for about 100 wins.  It is a small sample size but as a start it is right on target.  The Red Sox and Raysare off  to poor starts but it would be foolish to make any conclusions.  The RS are 5 games out while the Rays are 2 1/2 back.  These deficits wouldn't be much at All-Star break, now they are not even very interesting. 

The Red Sox are a good team that is suffering through pitching problems.  It is not at all clear that this is just a bump in the road for the Sox.  They improved their offense this off season, but before the offseason they were the second best offense in the AL.  They still are the second best offense in the AL.  They did not, however, improve the starting pitching that won only 89 games last year.  The staff is a year older and Lackey and Dice-K are real question marks.  At the start of the season I projected the RS for second in the AL East with 96 wins.  I am not ready to alter that.

The two weeks have been interesting for the Yanks.  Most of them have performed close enough to expectations to not need much comment.  There are several comments I would like to make.

Russel Martin has looked really good.  I expected good, but he has impressed me.  I hope he can stay healthy.  Of course he will have ups and downs, but he's a great addition.

Phil Hugheshas looked really bad.  I have faith he'll bounce back, but I am concerned.

Ivan Novahas not impressed.  Regular readers know I do not believe in him.

Bartolo Coln has looked good.  In fact, almost too good to believe.  I am glad to see him get a few starts.  I also hope the boys in AAA are getting ready, because I think we'll need them.

AJ has looked very good.  His willingness to use the changeup is a pleasnt surprise.  The effectiveness of the changeup is a shock.  AJ's weakness was always that he was a two pitch pitcher.  If either was even a little off he got blasted by teams sitting on the other.  The third pitch changes the equation.  I really expect a good year from him.  A good year from him is a key to a great Yankee year.

Garcia looked good today.  A good year from him and I'll need playoff tickets, several rounds.

Tampa is a question mark.  For them to be a factor kids will have to step up. This is possible but far from a sure thing.  It is possible that Tampa's run as a top team is over for now.  I remember when Cleveland, KC and Pittsburg were good.  They will be again someday, but who knows when.  Remember when Billy Beane was a genius?

So, nice start but keep you head.  149 games to go.  A big injury or two could change the equation, and the RS still figure to win 96.  They may win 10 in a row, starting any day, including today.