Yankees ace test

The 2008 season has produced many questions for the New York Yankees. Friday night in Boston, the Bronx Bombers provided some resounding answers.

• Is Joba a top of the rotation starter? Chamberlain shut down the Sox on their vaunted home turf under the glare of the pennant race: seven innings, three hits, one run. Case closed; The transition from bullpen bridge to ace starter is complete. The word potential is no longer part of the mix. The organization can breathe a sigh of relief--this is one plan that has worked.
• Is the Bomber Brass capable of decisive action? Affirmative. The trade of Tabata, Ohlendorf, Coke and Kontos for proven producers Marte and Nady proves years of playing it safe and clinging to every prospect are over. Two holes are filled, the future is now.
• Can the Yanks win it all this year? Parity and a 208 million dollar payroll insure a pennant pulse. Friday nights developments give credence to the notion that #27 is viable--which is all we can ask.
• Is the bridge to the Great Rivera stable under turbulent conditions? Well, nobodies perfect. Joba hands a one run lead to the Farns in the eight, cold sweat producing flashbacks ensue--two hits, one out, Sandman works overtime. When does Marte arrive?
• How formidable are Boston and Tampa? The teams the Yanks are chasing have no shortage of issues. Manny is being Manny, this time it's not so funny as the big bat sits again with another mystery ailment. Boston's road record quantifies weakness. Tampa is a green, talented team that is in uncharted territory. It's time for the Bombers' competition to pass a test.

The Yankees answered some big question Friday in Fenway. The test results put them back at the top of the class.

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