Your Daily Phil

Once again, I must apologize to my faithful readers. I have received comments lately that I am not my normal self. There have not been complaints, groans, criticisms, and any other unpleasantries that often frequent this hallowed website. Tonight will be another complaint-free night after one of the most boring Yankees games of the season. Phil Hughes was dominant, the bats stayed hot, and the Orioles stood absolutely no chance as the Yanks won game two of this must-sweep series, 9-1.

Robinson Cano continues his push toward the American League MVP Award, and Phil Hughes is emerging as a Cy Young candidate. Robbie is riding a hitting streak, and is absolutely pulverizing everything. You still get the feeling that Tex and A-Rod still have not completely gotten it going, but guys like Cano, Swisher, and Granderson are really picking up the slack. Jorge Posada's return makes the lineup ten times better. Plenty of protection for A-Rod and Cano, while you have an All Star in Granderson hitting seventh.

Ok, let's have some complaints. This time, they aren't really Yankee-related. Nice job by the Toronto Blue Jays proving that they're really not that good. Somehow, for the last two seasons, they haven't had to play the big boys of the American League until June. And after two major ninth inning collapses, they've given the Tampa Bay Rays plenty of life and ruined their season.

I also had the painful privilege of watching poor Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers in the ninth inning as he inched closer and closer to a perfect game, which would have been the THIRD on this young season. Austin Jackson made a fabulous catch in center field for the first out. After an easy second out, it appeared that Galarraga had a perfect game after receiving the throw from first baseman Miguel Cabrera at the bag.

But umpire Jim Joyce completely blew the call, costing Galarraga a chance to have hit name etched in history. The best part of the whole situation was watching Miguel Cabrera screaming at Joyce as the game continued, and Jim Leyland was barking like crazy after the game concluded. Another game ruined by pathetic umpiring. I'll bet anything that this leads to baseball's eventual establishment of instant replay for almost EVERY call, not just homers.

Back to business, the Yankees must sweep the Baltimore Orioles tomorrow. It's time for CC to have a good start, and the Yankees must conclude this home stand against two of the worst teams in baseball with a 6-1 record. No excuses, no exceptions. I can't say I'm a big fan of weekday games, especially now that I spend my days working for the man, but at least the Yankees won't have to deal with arriving in Toronto super early Friday morning.