Shows how much living and dying with the weekend will get you. Days before the American League locked up home field advantage in the World Series, the Yankees were proclaimed second rate, a third place team and unable to beat any of the four legitimate contenders in the AL (Boston, LA, Tampa Bay and Detroit). This, of course, all stemmed from the Angels' lineup lighting up New York's pitching en route to multiple comebacks and a series sweep at home, a feat they have found comfortable over the years. Coincidentally, the Red Sox played one of the league's worst teams, at home where they are very tough to beat, and after dropping the first game, dominated the Royals into their break.
All of a sudden, a tie in the division turned into a three-game deficit for the Yankees and because of Tampa putting it together, New York was now the odd team out and had just an 8-17 record against the four aforementioned teams. Couple that with Joba Chamberlain pitching to a five ERA in a recent stretch and not being able to pitch deep into games, throw in Pettitte's 5.05 ERA on the season, Wang's current injury and the fact there were a few days off to bash the Pinstripes, and the frenzy of critics were at an all-time high for a team 14 games over .500 at the unofficial halfway point.
So you can imagine how quiet those critics have been this morning. Just 72 hours after the season picked up again, the Yankees swept the Tigers out of the Bronx (holding their struggling offense to just five runs in the series), Tex and A-Rod continued to hit, Burnett continued to pitch well even without location at times, CC pitched a shutout, and Joba Chamberlain was the toast of the town again after having a successful rebound start with a 6+ inning gem in the finale. Joba has been criticized for not being economical, for not pitching well at home, for not being mentally strong enough to be a successful starter and yesterday he pitched into the seventh inning, struck out eight, gave up just three hits and handed the ball to the two hottest relievers in the league.
How's that eighth inning looking now? This was one series and more specifically, one start for Joba, and against a struggling central lineup to boot, but I will pat myself on the back for a couple of reasons today. I said getting off to a hot start would silence a lot of critics and beating the Tigers was important. The Yankees swept Detroit (beating Verlander, a rookie and Edwin Jackson along the way) while the Red Sox lost another series with underachieving play on the road (finally facing Roy Halladay) and now the Yankees, just three games deep in a 10-game home stretch, are one game out of the division. Sweeping the Tigers erased being swept by LA. It's really that simple. Now New York has to get it done against the Orioles to keep the momentum going and the pressure on Boston.
I also declared at the beginning of the season the Yankees would have the eighth inning figured out and if the bullpen did struggle, Cashman would find a way to retool it because that's where the Yankees had the most depth. The relievers did struggle: Veras, Ramirez, Marte and Bruney all figured to make big impacts -I had Bruney as the eighth inning guy- and now three of them aren't on the roster and Bruney still isn't pitching like he's healthy. However, the additions of Hughes and Aceves, the emergence of Coke in proper roles (like I suggested last year), and the timeless effect of Mariano Rivera have made the bullpen a force like it was supposed to be.
Between Robertson and Melancon, one of them will pitch well enough to be a fifth spot in the bullpen. That means between Bruney and somebody not named Tomko, the Yankees are one name away from not having a weak link with their relievers. Certainly in close games where the starter goes six, the game is pretty much over as it is. Phil Hughes has a 0.84 ERA as a setup man. Problem solved and it's not likely to change. Hughes has adopted the role well because he will be a successful starter one day and good starters make great relievers. That's why you don't waste your time leaving Joba in the bullpen unless it's to one day replace Rivera. Even then you leave him in the rotation until Rivera is ready to retire.
For now though, Hughes is fixing a need and being effective on the MLB roster. I'd rather him in the bullpen than the minors. If that were the situation with Joba I would have condoned him being the eighth inning guy too. Either way, the Yankees have: Coke, Hughes, Aceves and Rivera, and they've all been solid at the back of that bullpen. One more arm back there (which could be as simple as a healthy Bruney) and the addition of a Jon Garland type and this team has all the pieces and depth it needs to sustain a World Series run. I don't think Sergio Mitre will embarrass himself tomorrow, but he's not in the mix to pitch in October and the Yankees can use one more name with that credential unless Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte and Chamberlain all stay healthy and pitch well, which should never be assumed.
For now, sweeping the Tigers just proved the Yankees can beat contenders, they're now 5-1 against Detroit and 9-5 against Detroit and Tampa. They own bad teams and dominate everyone outside of the division. They have dominated Toronto and played better against Baltimore than Boston has against the Blue Jays. They're 11-9 against the three teams that aren't the Red Sox, but can make the playoffs over them. And for the millionth time, yes, being 0-8 against Boston is a problem, but that can't change until they play again. Now New York gets two series where they can move into the driver's seat against the Red Sox before they face off against the Rays. I said 7-3 during this homestand and now they have put themselves in a perfect position to achieve that record. Now Joba has momentum going into his next start after he said he returned to Nebraska to clear his head. Seeing him throw 95 and attack batters was the most encouraging of all. Now he needs to gain consistency, a popular problem with 23-year-old starters, especially in the hardest division in the game.
At least today, critics have no room for criticism.
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