The Yanks lost again ... another game, another series. I came home yesterday, after watching (not at home, of course, since I do not get the YES Network here in the Bronx) the rookie filling in for the injured Jaret Wright (replacement to Jon Lieber, who is currently 4-1 for the Phillies) pitching rather good. He breezed through three innings, but hit some problems when the Blue Jays finally were patient, and made him work. Still, he only gave up two runs, and I later discovered he pitched seven innings.
Didn't get the win, but a mention on the post game report of a "rubber" game meant the Yanks did win the game (they lost the first game of the series, one against the team's ace ... Randy Johnson losing again, just like he did last year for the Diamondbacks -- by pitching well, but not being perfect). It turned out that the bullpen blew another one, though this time the bats actually picked them up. Same result today -- bullpen blew a lead (the Yanks own Ted Lilly, a former Yankee), but this time the team could not get it back. This is the road to a 10-15 start.
The theme, however, is that these are the Yanks ... time will lead to improvement as is the case almost yearly of late for the (now first place, again) Braves. The usual suspects, however, are starting to be a bit concerned. This includes the radio announcers, who I am quite familiar of because my satellite provider does not offer the Yankee Network. Suzie Waldman, for instance, the new co-host is starting to be a bit wary ... or is it that she has not quite melded with John Sterling, the long timer that is a bit annoying with his cheerleading* at times? They still are talking over each other. Perhaps, she just needs time to adapt to her new color commentator role, after a long time stint as interviewer/reporter.
I honestly have looked upon the Yanks as a comfortable dependable sort of team while the Mets drive me crazy with their inconsistency (they are in their second four game losing streak ... due for another few exciting wins ... though manager Willie Randolph still has a better record this season than his former boss). So, talk that the (overpaid) crew has enough talent to win the division (really, can the Orioles keep this up?). Let's put aside the aging bats, including Bernie William (who even the manager admits is getting older) and a now steroids free DH. The questionable bullpen also is a concern. Finally, do we really trust this starting rotation? Though not all his fault, even Randy Johnson is not a dependable "W" these days.
Well, at least they put up a better fight than the NJ Nets ... at least they won three before losing four in a row.
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* For instance, his constant emphasis of how fans fill the seats, though the high prices are not quite referenced, gets on my nerves. Sterling also repeatedly called the Toronto ace "Doc Halladay" and Waldman even did once until maybe someone finally mentioned that the Yanks were not being pitched to by an Old West figure, but Roy Halladay.
Saturday by the way was not a great day for the Mets. Their starting rotation consisting of Pedro Martinez, Atlanta's traitor in our midst Tom Glavine (well, the guy is pitching lousy), and a bunch of other guys (Heilman had two good starts, but you cannot trust these people ... it got so bad that one of the replacements needed a replacement. Still, pitchers are getting hurt all over baseball, including closers), they were on their way to a fourth straight loss. They got back into it with a three run eighth, but another rain delay turned permanent. No shot at another comeback.