Thursday, July 10, 2008

Yankees are alive

The Yankees' walk-off win Wednesday, swept aside the upstart Tampa Rays and revived the 2008 season. A credibility enhancing four game winning streak has them on the brink of a pennant race. Can they compete for a pennant? Anything is possible. The Sidney Ponson magical mystery tour continued in the Bronx yesterday. Sir Sid has found a unique formula that would confound baseball analysts. Here's Ponson's aggregate line in his return to Pinstripes (note: his first tour was highlighted by an ERA of 10+) 17 IP, 14 Hits, 7 BB, 2 HBP,3 HR, have resulted in a mere 8 runs. The numbers don't do him justice as line drives right at people are peppered in the mix. The Yankees have won two of the three starts and continue to prove-- Anything is possible.

Notes:
  • The Yankees brought a list of 18 aspiring relief pitchers to camp in hopes of plugging a long-term leak. While the focus was on Ohlendorf, Veras and Ramirez have emerged as viable options. Veras has the heat to fill the 7TH inning role and Girardi continues to put Ramirez and his change-up in a position to succeed.
  • Pending free agency has a tendency to spur on some players. Kyle Farnsworth is a case in point. Here's Kyle's lifetime production: ERA 4.4, WHIP 1.39. The last time Farns. was playing for a contract he produced: ERA 2.2, WHIP 1.0 (#s rounded). Farnsworth has improved this season, his ERA is 3.6, WHIP 1.38 compared to last season's disastrous 4.8, WHIP 1.45. Some will suggest Kyle is no longer a victim of Joe Torre's mangling. The facts show that Kyle is actually capable of doing the job when he's playing for a contract.

Photo/Newsday

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