September 11th @ The Rangers

Mets fans couldn’t have written a better ending to this game. The Yankees lose, Frenchy gets hit by a pitch. So rather than focus on this miserably long game and it’s results, let’s try to look at some positives. This game didn’t matter much, after all.

- This might have been the least amount of command I’ve ever seen Mo have. He didn’t really have an idea where his 2 seamer was going, and in the end that’s what got him. Perhaps it was fatigue, having thrown 2 innings on Friday night. If Mo is on the top of his game, the Yankees win.

- Berkman has been hitting like his former self since his DL stint. He’s hitting .500 (11-22) over his last 26 plate appearances. This is exactly what you want going into the playoffs.

- Speaking of hitter’s last 26 plate appearances since coming off the DL, A-Rod his hitting .429 (9-22) with 3 XBH. We’ve seen what a hot A-Rod can do in the playoffs, and hopefully he can carry this team to number 28.

- As little faith as I have in Cervelli’s bat, he’s actually been quite hot as of late. In his last 28 PA, Cervelli is hitting .500/.667/.667. He’s getting hot at the right time, knowing that he might have to catch a couple of games in the playoffs.

- To round out the lineup, Granderson is hitting .294/.385/.618 in his last 11 games (39 plate appearances) with 5 XBH. Teixeira in his last 12 games (54 PA) is hitting .333/.481/.548 with 5 XBH which actually includes an 0 for 7 Friday night. With 4 hot regulars streaking their way into October, I feel good about the Yankees chances.

- Kerry Wood has emerged as the bridge to Mariano with his .48 ERA since coming to the Yanks (18.2 innings, 20 K’s)

- Chad Gaudin shouldn’t pitch much, if at all, in the playoffs.