Upon the race to the tape

Toronto, Baltimore, Boston. Three series for all the marbles. Toronto comes to the Bronx, and then the show goes on the road to Baltimore, before finishing with a 3-spot in Beantown. Unit, Moose, Wright, Wang and Chacon appear to have gotten the nods. 9-0 Aaron Small goes to the pen, where he will pick up where any of the previous 5 should falter. Concerns persist with respect to middle and late relief, and these are critical areas in a playoff series. The Yankees have gone a long stretch where they could not expect 7+ from their starter, and this is taxing a middle relief core that is not the strongest facet of the team.

If I remember correctly, the championship Yankees usually got to their relief in the 8th and 9th. The starter gave you approximately 7 innings, and then Stanton, Nelson, and Rivera would come in for the finale. Before that, Rivera was a bridge to Wetteland. With rest, I believe that Tom Gordon and Mariano can be as dominant as Mo and Wetteland were. Tanyon Sturtze hurls gas, but can not get overworked or his stuff suffers. Since the pen, and the offense have taken turns carrying the team this season, I believe and hope that this is the time when the starters can pick the squad up and run them to October. If the Yankees can get the "quality start", mixed in with the twice-weekly offensive outburst, then October is a distinct possibility.

I am looking to get back that trademark Yankee swagger. I refuse to root for my team like a Boston fan. I will not look constantly in the rear-view mirror, expecting the worst. I want to look at the first round match-up in October, not hope that we make it. We were always like this, confident, arrogant, cocky, and correct. Then 2001 happened, and we got shaken. 2002 had us questioning our identity, but 2003 suggested we were almost back. Last year came, and the power dynamic swayed a bit. Now I believe that the Yankees are reemerging. You need to be hot at the right time, and all the pieces are there for a sizzle to erupt.

10 games for all the marbles. Chacon vs Ted Lilly tonight. Lets run hard across the line.