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The Boston Red Sox disabled list is long, but even crippled, this is a darn good ball club.

Winning the first game against the Yankees proves the Red Sox are still in the mix in the AL East.

Boston’s starting rotation is now all active and healthy, and they are ridiculously good.

Red Sox ace Josh Beckett’s being back is huge because his passion and fiery attitude demand a lot of respect. Clearly, Beckett is the leader of the staff and his absence was apparent.

In Friday night’s loss, the Yankees should have taken advantage of Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz.

It looked that way after Mark Teixeira’s blast in the first-inning, scoring Derek Jeter, but that was the extent of it. Jeter was on base all night, as the other Yankees run came from Alex Rodriquez driving in the Captain in the fifth.

Buchholz set this game’s tone, as he successfully pounded the strike zone. He didn’t let pitches get up too high after being reminded why by Tex. Buchholz allowed nine hits in total, while the Red Sox were fielding error-free behind their starter.

Considering the Red Sox’s record amount of injuries, their record of 63-47 is astonishing.

Recalling all the doubt at the start of the 2010 season in the Red Sox as a team is something no one will question again. GM Theo Epstein is so confident in the teams he puts on the field because the Red Sox are always atop the top teams list.

I can say or admit that imagining a healthy Red Sox team scares the hell out of me. Epstein is a certified GM because the initial roster was superb, but players are not super men.

The dropped ball error by Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli did allow three unearned runs to score. The Red Sox took advantage of the Yankees’ mistakes and capitalized for the win.

Luckily, the Yankees still remain in first place, thanks to the Tampa Bay Rays losing for the second night against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Rays have now lost three in a row.

As for the Yankees, just watch this game again and observe our Captain in the bottom of the ninth, with two outs. Jeter had a 14-pitch at-bat and the fight in him should be inspiration enough.

It just proves that the outcome for the next three games will make a serious impact on both ball clubs.

Both teams know it and both will fight to win.

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Sunday night, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox pitching match-up of AJ Burnett and Josh Beckett is by far the most exciting.

The Yankees will have their hands full here on Sunday night pending which AJ Burnett is on the mound against a healthy Josh Beckett.

Both pitchers have a lot of passion and will fight till the end if need be, bloody and all. If there is ever a chance for a good, old-school Yankees-Red Sox bench clearing brawl…Sunday night is the perfect set-up.

Let’s look at Sunday match-up:

NYY: AJ BURNETT vs. BOS: JOSH BECKETT

Will the ace AJ Burnett please show-up? That is what the Yankees are hoping for, as Burnett needs to be solid because Beckett is throwing to well for anything else. Burnett can be lights out, un-hittable, but whether he lasts four innings or seven is unknown to even Burnett himself.

If Burnett’s last outing against his old team and power-hitting Toronto Blue Jays was any indication the Yankees will be in trouble. He had tossed 11 scoreless innings, before the Blue Jay disaster when he gave up eight earned runs and two walks. Seven runs score in the fifth inning alone. So far, Burnett is 9-9 in 2010, with a 4.93 ERA.

The ace of the Red Sox, Josh Beckett was not himself the last time he faced the Yankees. Nagging back problems has limited Beckett, as this will be his 12th start in 2010, after spending the majority on the DL. Since active again he has made three starts, with a 2-0 record, posting a 2.18 ERA and the team has won all three games. Beckett was ejected in his last start, after pitching a solid eight innings, striking-out eight, walking zero, while allowing only three hits and one earned run. Beckett looks really good and healthy. He must remain on fire especially against hot hitting Robinson Cano who has career strong numbers vs. Beckett. Cano is crushing everyone, but this individual match-up definitely works in Cano’s favor.

PREDICTION

Both Beckett and Burnett are as competitive as they come. If fans are hoping for some bench clearing action, odds are this would be the game for it. The way Beckett is pitching consistently makes him the logical choice to win, but if Burnett is on—watch-out. The problem is Burnett is completely unpredictable and history dictates here.

Becket gets the win; Red Sox beat Yankees 8-4.

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With #600 now in the past, the New York Yankees are ready to take on their rivals, the Boston Red Sox.

Boston has been hit hard with the unfortunate injury bug. Making the six and a half games the Red Sox need to catch the first place Yankees, who are tied with Tampa Bay Rays, not completely out of reach.

This puts a lot of pressure on Boston, as the importance of winning in the Bronx is pretty much a make or break situation.

The Yankees can’t afford to lose the series either because the Rays are playing great baseball right now.

It is no secret that the Yankees have lost two series in a row and to say that Alex Rodriguez’s 600 mark turned the team around has yet to be proven.

The Red Sox most recent DL member is first baseman Kevin Youkilis who is one of the best hitters in baseball and a Yankees killer. Youkilis is a significant loss and his absence will be noticed by both ball-clubs.

The Red Sox have their pitchers all back now and all healthy, so the Yankees have to counter at the plate.

Since pitching always dictates, let’s look at the four match-ups, over two posts:

NYY: JAVIER VAZQUEZ vs. BOS: CLAY BUCHHOLZ

Vazquez has gone from abominable to reliable in the Yankees rotation. Vazquez hasn’t lost since June 30^th, and in his last 10 starts he has a 3.50 ERA, with 46 strikeouts. Vazquez’s career against Boston posts a 4.21 ERA, with 10.0 K/9 ratio, a total of 56 strikeouts and over 66 innings pitched. JD Drew and David Ortiz could cause Vazquez the most problems.

Buchholz has been strong since spending about a month on the DL, after injuring his right hamstring running the base-pads during inter-league play. Buchholz is 11-5, with a 2.59 ERA and in his last outing he pitched eight solid innings. Over his last 10 starts the youngster has gone 6-2, with a 2.05 ERA, struck-out 43 batters and just over 61 innings pitched. Yankees hitters have .298 batting average vs. Buchholz, who has a 6.53 ERA against New York. In 57 at-bats, Buchholz has only stuck-out eight Yankees.

PREDICTION:

Both pitchers need to have solid outings, but the Yankee hitters look to score more runs. It will be a no-decision; Yankees win 6-2.

NYY: CC SABATHIA vs. BOS: JOHN LACKEY

Yankee’s ace CC Sabathia has been shaky lately, but he is too competitive to lose another game. Sabathia will truly be tested facing the Red Sox line-up. The absence of Youkilis and his .409 batting average vs. Sabathia should provide some relief, but Sabathia needs to bring his A-game regardless. In 2010, he has made three starts against the Red Sox, pitching 17 innings total, posting a 4.76 ERA, with 13 strikeouts. Sabathia has lost his last two starts, the latest against the Rays and it was not his fault considering the odd line-up Skipper Joe Girardi had on the field.

Lackey is a very familiar face in Yankees Universe, but his last time in the Bronx was the 2009 ALCS when he was still an Los Angeles Angel. Lackey’s time as a Red Sox this season has fared mediocre, as he posts a 10-6 record, with 4.48 ERA, allowing 70 earned runs, and a messily 88 strikeouts. In his last putting he only pitched 5 innings, giving up nine hits and six runs scored. In 2010, 87.5% of opponents have made contact against Lackey and he has digressed since his days on the Angels.

PREDICTION:

Unless Lackey has some flashback that inspires his arm, this is Sabathia’s game to lose. Yankees win 9-2.

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The second place New York Yankees were on the brink of getting swept by the Toronto Blue Jays.  This would have been the second series loss in a row for the reigning champs and the timing could not be worse for a slump to begin.

Yankees fans were worried, because Alex Rodriguez’s struggles at the plate were affecting the whole team.

A-Rod was struggling to hit a milestone 600th home run, which puts him on an elite list and the youngest of the seven players on it.

Now the Yankee Universe can finally breathed, because this afternoon in the first inning A-rod hit his 600th career home-run at the age of 35. The team won and avoided the sweep, beating the Blue Jays 5-1.  Phil Hughes got the win and Mariano Rivera dominated in the ninth inning.

Things are looking up in the Bronx, but the Yankees now are looking up in the standings at the Tampa Bay Rays. It is just a one game lead, but the Rays keep winning.

The problem is that what may seem like not a big deal today, could be an issue a week from now.  Just imagine if the Yankees were the team to miss the playoffs?

It makes me sick to think about, but why I am is because I felt that Joe Girardi gave the Rays the series win last weekend. It was as if the Yankees were having a exhibition game, trying their new players out for practice.

New Yankee Lance Berkman was acquired to fill the designated hitter position that was Nick Johnson, which should have been Hideki Matsui’s job in the first place.

So when I saw Berkman playing first-base, I thought it was ludicrous.  If anything (god-forbid) happened to Mark Teixeira wouldn’t Nick Swisher be the better option?  I fully understand that Tex needs a day off, but against the Rays?

The series was on the line and so taking Brett Gardner and A-Rod out made the Yankees look arrogant.

Next up is the Boston Red Sox, who are coming for a four-game visit. Any series against the Red Sox, injured or not, is always tough for both ballclubs.  The Red Sox need the wins to stay in the playoff discussion, but so do the Yankees.

If the Yankees lose three of four games, within the division it will be a bigger problem them it might seem. It would cut the Yankees lead to just 3.5 over Boston and opens up a three game race again.

Not to mention the wild-card is just as easy to lose, as the Red Sox have a much harder schedule then the Yankees do down the stretch. When teams who aren’t in contention are playing teams that are, the former always seems to screw things up by winning.

The basic point here is that the Yankees are guaranteed nothing yet, except that A-rod’s 600th home-run is in the past and the team tends to follow A-rod’s lead at the plate.

Whatever the answer is regarding changing Phil Hughes innings limit is; Hughes is pitching dynamite again and it would be a shame to have to pull him from the rotation.

I like what I see out of the bullpen, other than Mo. Kerry Wood will be a great presence for Joba Chamberlain and Boone Logan, because David Robertson cannot be the only reliable middle-reliever.

So what needs to go on from here on out is….WIN, WIN AND KEEP ON WINNING!

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Bench, bench, and more bench is what New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman added right before the non-waiver trade deadline.

Will Cashman’s last minute moves help the team down the stretch?

Let’s hope so, but for now, we might as well get to know the two new Yankees hitters.

Other than adding Cleveland Indians pitcher Kerry Wood to help the bullpen, Cashman added fellow Indians outfielder Austin Kearns and Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman.

Austin Kearns is hitting .272 with eight home runs and 42 RBI, while stealing four bases in 84 games this season.

Kearns primary role is as the fourth outfielder, but he also brings another right-handed bat to the lineup.

Kearns is used to playing everyday and is very useful anywhere on the field, but watch to see him play against lefty pitching.

It will help Curtis Granderson, who is becoming an almost automatic out against lefties.

Five-time All-Star Lance Berkman will primarily fill in as the Yankees designated hitter and sometimes first baseman to give Mark Teixeira the day off.

Berkman is 34 years old and is known as “The Big Puma.”

Berkman has been with the Houston Astros his entire career, so he’s excited to play for a team that is contending. Berkman is hitting .245 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI in 85 games this season.

Collectively, there are negatives for both Kearns and Berkman.

The two players are both very familiar with being on the disabled list.

Kearns and Berkman are almost worse than Yankee virus Nick Johnson. From knee to elbow, there has been a lot wrong with both men since day one, which brings many reasons to worry.

Nick Johnson, who replaced 2009 World Series MVP Hideki Matsui, has been on the disabled list since early May with no return in site. This might go down as one of the dumbest moves Cashman has ever made, but that is for another time.

Kearns is almost 30 and Berkman is 34, so neither is a youngster anymore.

After watching Berkman replace Tex at first against the Rays on Sunday, his defense left me absolutely uneasy.

Even though the Yankees lost 3-0, Berkman’s lack of skills were the reason for two of the runs scored. One was a ball over his head, and the other a textbook scoop up that Tex would have made without question.

Kearns also got right in the mix at the plate, but he was more a disruption because he did nothing to benefit the team.

Understandably, it takes a few games to start to feel like you are part of a team but if only Yankees fans could see it that way.

I am staying optimistic as experts, fans, and even the Yankees haters over at ESPN.

Everyone has praised what Cashman did for the team by picking up Kearns, Berkman, and Wood (who I will tell a tale about in another post).

The saying does still go, “Age Before Beauty” and the Yankees seem to have this as their unofficial team motto still.

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Saturday, July 31 at 4:30 p.m. marked MLB’s official trade deadline—well, technically at least.

New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman was hard at work trying to fix the mess the organization has made of Joba Chamberlain.

It is no secret that the Yankees don’t know what else to do with Chamberlain, but looking at his historically short career, the answer is pretty evident.

Back in 2007, Joba was Cashman’s prize pupil. The problem was no one wanted to take the time to teach the 24-year-old because of one infamous bug game.

Then in 2008, Joba had the weight of an entire city on his shoulders. Failure didn’t seem to be an option, and whenever things looked bleak for Joba, he got yanked from the mound.

Fast-forward to 2010—Joba lost the coveted fifth spot in the Yankees rotation to Phil Hughes.

Joba didn’t deserve it; Hughes pitched better, and he continues to exceed expectations. Hughes went to the All-Star Game, and that must have taken a toll on Joba’s confidence level..

Skipper Joe Girardi’s solution is pretty simple: “We want him to pitch at the level he’s capable of pitching at. Until we get Joba right, I might look at matchups a little more.” (Per NY Daily News .)

The Yankees bullpen needed help, and Cashman’s answer was Cleveland Indians pitcher Kerry Wood. He claims it had nothing to do with Joba and every thing to do with Chan Ho Park, who was designated for assignment.

This has everything to do with Joba, but in one sense Wood is a veteran who once dazzled the city of Chicago with his fastball. Wood was Chicago’s pride after striking out 20 batters in his sixth career start.

Wood’s career didn’t pan out like it should have, as he has served 14 stints on the DL in his 13 seasons—his latest just days before he landed in New York.

Wood has 62 saves over the last three seasons with 165 strikeouts; he appeared in 146 games out of the bullpen.

For now, Wood is a walking liability, but with an upside that might be worth the risk. Wood’s experience could be just what the doctor ordered for changing Joba back into the phenomenon everyone witnessed in 2007.

Wood has been in Joba’s shoes, as he has yo-yoed from starter to reliever like musical chairs.

The other hope for Wood is to help down the stretch out of the bullpen in getting to Mariano Rivera. The fact is, Wood is an upgrade from Chan Ho Park.

So, Cashman covered his ass there. Maybe the Yankees secretly banned Wood from the DL list. Who really cares, because this could work.

This leaves many questions unanswered. For example, could Brian Cashman have killed two birds with one stone?

My bet is yes, and Cashman will be deemed a genius because the concept is just shy of being too good to be true.

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Saturday, July 31 at 4:30 pm marked the official end of MLB’s trade deadline—well, technically at least.

New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman was hard at work trying to fix the mess the organization has made of Joba Chamberlain.

It is no secret that the Yankees don’t know what else to do with Joba Chamberlain, but looking at his historically short career the answer is pretty evident.

Back in 2007, Joba was Cashman’s prize pupil. The problem was no one wanted to take the time to teach the 24-year-old because of one infamous bug game.

Then in 2008, Joba had the weight of an entire city on his shoulders. Failure didn’t seem to be an option and whenever things looked bleak for Joba, he got yanked from the mound.

Fast-forward to 2010. Joba lost the coveted fifth spot in the Yankees rotation to Phil Hughes.

Joba didn’t deserve it; Hughes pitched better and he continues to exceed expectations. Hughes went to the All-Star game and that must have taken a toll on Joba’s confidence level.

Skipper Joe Girardi’s solution is pretty simple. “We want him to pitch at the level he’s capable of pitching at. Until we get Joba right, I might look at matchups a little more.” (NY Daily News)

The Yankees bullpen needed help and Cashman’s answer was Cleveland Indians pitcher Kerry Wood. He claims it had nothing to do with Joba and every thing to do with Chan Ho Park, who was designated for assignment.

This has everything to do with Joba, but in one sense Wood is a veteran who once dazzled the city of Chicago with his fastball. Wood was Chicago’s pride after striking out 20 batters in his sixth career start.

Wood’s career didn’t pan out like it should have, as he saw the DL 14 times in his 13 seasons, his latest just days before he landed in New York.

Wood has 62 saves over the last three seasons, with 165 strikeouts, while appearing in 146 games out of the bullpen.

For now, Wood is a walking liability, but with an upside that might be worth the risk. Wood’s experience could be just what the doctor ordered for changing Joba back into the phenomenon everyone witnessed in 2007.

Wood has been in Joba’s shoes, as he has yo-yoed from starter to reliever like musical chairs.

The other hope for Wood is to help down the stretch out of the bullpen in getting to Mariano Rivera. The fact is, Wood is an upgrade from Chan-Ho Park.

So, Cashman covered his ass there. Maybe the Yankees secretly banned Wood from the DL list. Who really cares, because this could work.

It also leaves many questions unanswered. For example, could Brian Cashman have killed two birds with one stone?

My bet is yes and Cashman will be deemed a genius because the concept is just shy of being too good to be true.

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New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia will square off against Tampa Bay Rays James Shields, in the third and final game of this series.

Let’s check out this matchup:

 
Tampa Bay Rays: James Shields (9-9)

James Shields is a lights-out pitcher, if you are referring to his high strikeout numbers.

In 2010 Shields has posted 122 strikeouts over 135 innings. He maintains a minimal number of walks with 31.

So what explains Shields ERA being 4.79?

It is because Shields has given up 22 home runs this season, along with 72 earned runs. His weakest pitch is his fastball and it gets hit hard. Shields’s change-up is his strongest pitch, but without it he is very hittable.

Over his last three starts, Shields is 2-0, pitching 19 innings, allowing nine earned runs, while walking five, and striking out 13. Still, he has been better after a horrible June and he has won his last two starts.

If Shields doesn’t shield his pitches and is predictable, the Yankees bats will eat him alive. Jeter and Cano have done it in the past, so look for them to go after Shields from the start.

 
New York Yankees: CC Sabathia (13-4)

Yankees ace CC Sabathia had his first loss since May 23, but he actually pitched very well. Lack of run support, along with some sloppy fielding behind him, was to blame for the result.

Sabathia has a 3.15 ERA in 151 innings this season. The Yankees ace has two complete games, giving up 53 earned runs, 12 homers, and 124 strikeouts.

Sabathia’s 52 walks are not great, but no matter what he can go deep into games, which allows the bullpen to rest.

Even in his most recent start, where he took the loss, Sabathia pitched seven solid innings, struck out five, walked three, but allowed two hits.

Sabathia is not going to have another bad start, so expect him to dominate from the start of this game.

The Rays to watch for against CC are BJ Upton, who is off the DL, and Evan Longoria. Otherwise, the rest of the Rays pose no threat.

 
Prediction:

Yankees beat the Rays 4-1. Sabathia gets the win. Shields take the loss.

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New York Yankees Javier Vazquez will face Tampa Bay Rays Matt Garza on Saturday night at the Trop.

Let’s take a look at this match-up:

Fresh off throwing the franchiser’s first no-hitter in its 13-year history, SP Matt Garza’s overall outlook doesn’t change much. Garza is still trying to get back to his 2008 form.

Garza likes pitching at home, even if home is Tropicana Field. At the Trop Garza has a .230  OBA against batters with runners in scoring position.

This season Garza has a 4.06 ERA in 128 innings. He has allowed 118 hits, 58 earned runs, giving up 18 homeruns and 41 walks. Four of the homeruns were given up on July 20 against the worst team in baseball, the Baltimore Orioles. Garza has also thrown two complete games and a no-hitter.

Garza relies a lot on his fastball, as he threw it 99 out 120 pitches during his historic no-hitter. Well, why stop what seems to be working as in his last three starts Garza 2-0, going 21 innings, with a 2.95 ERA with 13 strikeouts and only walking two batters.

Garza might not find success against a hot Yankees line-up, who tend to hit fastballs out of the park. Garza needs to throw a variety of pitches to keep the Bombers on their toes, or it will be ugly.

Javier Vazquez has turned his season around after a horrible April. Finally, Vazquez is that durable pitcher the Yankees wanted in the rotation.

Vazquez’s 4.54 ERA for the season is not reflective of how he is currently pitching. He has pitched 107 innings, giving up 92 hits, 54 earned runs, 118 homers and 41 walks. Vazquez and Garza are well matched looking at stats only.

For the month of July Vazquez has been solid, posting a 2.77 ERA.

Earlier this year Vazquez got killed by the Rays bats, but this is a different Vazquez and a win would cement him into the hearts of Yankees fans for good.

Vazquez gets the win.

Garza takes the loss.

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Friday night, the New York Yankees are at Tropicana Field to face the Tampa Bay Rays, and it will be a true battle of the young guns on the mound.

Since pitching and defense will dictate the outcomes of all three games, the match-ups on the mound will set the tone. Let’s look at the Friday night’s pitchers.

Ironically, both the Rays and the Yankees have their “young guns” squaring off. Both players are 24 years old, both stand at 6’5 feet, and both are right-handed pitchers.

Tampa Bay Rays: Wade Davis (8-9)

Davis didn’t look very good this season, after losing all five of his starts in the month of June. Davis’ June numbers included an ERA of 6.0, and batters were hitting just shy of .270 against him.

Since the start of July, Davis has looked like a different pitcher. He has gone unbeaten. Over his last three starts, he has posted an ERA of 2.11. For the month of July, Davis has pitched 25 innings, faced 110 batters and allowed nine earned runs, six walks and 12 strikeouts. Eleven of those 12 strikeouts were in his last three starts and a monthly ERA of 3.12. That is pretty impressive stuff.

Davis is suddenly throwing with a lot more confidence. Davis is not afraid to throw hard because he is locating the ball much better.

Davis faces a potent Yankees lineup who have seen him before. This works in the Yankees favor because Davis is not new, and they have hit him successfully.

Davis needs to be careful with Cano, Gardner, Granderson, Thames, A-Rod, and Jeter because all have multiple hits in the few at-bats they have had against him.

New York Yankees: Phil Hughes (12-3)

Unlike Davis, Phil Hughes started out the season on fire. Hughes was an 2010 All-Star and his name was frequent in Cy Young discussions.

He was the Yankees most reliable pitcher through the month of May. As they say, all good things must come to an end, or in Hughes’ case, back down to baseball-reality.

Hughes got a lot of help via the Yankees hitters, who seemed to always score a lot of runs when he is on the mound. This masked a few mediocre starts and redefined them as great. It was not that Hughes didn’t look solid, he completely did, but his struggles started earlier than the numbers or newspaper headlines might read.

Hughes has been slowly declining, as his ERA is rising.

His OBA has consistently dropped in each start since the end of May. July has been ugly for the youngster. In 23 innings, Hughes has faced 90 batters, and allowed 15 earned runs, issued five walks, all with an ERA of 5.79. He has struck out 15, but in his last two starts, he only has five in total.

Hughes cannot seem to locate his fastball, and his curveball has turned flat. There has been no marked improvement, but he wins games because luckily, the team scores runs.

Hughes does have the advantage of not having to face the Rays’ BJ Upton who crushes his pitches, as Upton is on the DL. Look for Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena to stir up some hits as they have has success against Hughes whether he is hot or not.

Prediction:

Davis has found what Hughes has lost, so I expect both teams bats to dictate in this matchup. Looking ahead, Hughes has the brighter future. But, for this game, I have to go with the Rays. 

Score: Rays beat the Yankees 9-5.

Hughes and Davis: No decision.

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