The Yankees have been showing their age over the last 48 hours, but the team continues to play baseball at an almost .700 winning percentage. Tonight's heroes were C.C. Sabathia (shocking) and Randy Winn, who showed signs of life, cracking a game-deciding three run bomb in the fourth inning. With Curtis Granderson out, Brett Gardner, Randy Winn, and Marcus Thames will have to step up, and they have done so thus far.
Tonight's game was quick and efficient, but it did not come without cause for concern. Jorge Posada was removed from the game with tightness in his calf. Sure, Francisco Cervelli is a spark plug on the field, but the Yanks are nowhere without Posada's veteran leadership. He's the guy who will get in your face if it doesn't seem like you're giving it your all, not the captain. Then, it was revealed that Mariano Rivera has been feeling pain in his oblique since Saturday, which forced the unreliable Joba Chamberlain to close out a 4-1 victory.
It's a fantastic sign that the team is playing well during a time when guys are banged up, and the 2-3-4 hitters are still not playing up to their potential. Somehow, the club remains 17-8, having spent the majority of its time on the road in this young season. It sure makes Joe Girardi look like a good manager when he has an ace on the mound who can go eight innings every five days.
Also of note, the Yankees have decided to skip Javier Vazquez's start this weekend due to an off day on Thursday. Great move. Seriously. All this head case needs is to start a game on Friday in Boston, get shelled, and ruin the Yankees' bullpen for another long weekend at Fenway Park. Friday night will be a huge test for Phil Hughes. The Red Sox have been struggling lately, but as we saw tonight, they have no problem putting up close to 20 runs when they're at home.
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