OK, before that sets in – to the game tonight.

This season, Jorge Posada, Ruben Sierra, and Bernie Williams have been hot and cold at the plate – but, more often cold than hot. So, what does Joe Torre do in one of the biggest games of the year? He bats these three men back-to-back-to-back and they go 0 for 12 in the game (as a group). But, because they all trail each other in the order, that’s like giving the Red Sox pitchers a free pass in 4 innings – or close to half the game. Brillant.

And, of the three, Posada killed them the most tonight – failing twice with a runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs. And, by the way, the Yankees lost by two runs tonight – possibly the two that Posada left on the pond and dying to come home.

Hey, it was that kind of night for the Yankees hitters, outside of Matsui. They hit balls well at people in spots and let too many hittable pitches go by without doing damage in others.

Perhaps the game, offensively for the Yankees, was captured in this snapshot: Jeter homers in the 7th to make the score 5-3, and says to A-Rod, as he crosses home plate “Come on, let’s go.” And, what does Alex then do? Rodriguez whiffs – looking.

It’s too bad that Posada failed in the 1st with the sacks loaded with one out – because that could have been the spot to knock David Wells off his game. But, once that passed, Wells was dealing. Without question, Wells is one of the last men that you would ever want your daughter to bring home someday – but, the guy can pitch in a big game when he has a lead.

Speaking of pitching, I think Wang did OK – not great, not very good, but OK. After the 5th inning, I thought to myself “He’s gone five and allowed two. For a rookie, in Fenway, facing this line-up, in a game like this, that’s very nice.” But, then, thanks to some bad defense and walks, the game got away from him in the sixth. I still find it amazing that Jason Giambi cannot throw the ball 80 feet, at times.

So, now, it comes down to Randy Johnson. Tomorrow is the day that the Big Unit can earn every penny due over the life of his Yankees contract in just one day. Facing Wakefield, it will not be easy. And, I will make one prediction now – if the Yankees lose on Saturday, they will lose on Sunday as well, and go home with nothing. And, we will know then that the worm that turned last year never turned back again. Yes, now, thanks to tonight, tomorrow is that big.

Serenity now.

Damn, it doesn’t work at all.

I’ll take “Scott Proctor” for “closing,” Alex.

And, the “answer” was not “How will the Yankees blow this must win game that seemed to be in the bag?”

Wow. I’ll get back to that in a bit.

The bigger story tonight was Small Hobbs once again doing his Lucky Charm thing. The guy has made 15 appearances this year and is 10-0. Can it get any better than that?

And, congrats to A-Rod for becoming just the 3rd RH batter in Yankees history to have 120+ runs and 120+ RBI in the same season. The others? Joe DiMaggio and Ben Chapman. Now, there’s a trivia question for you.

Was Jason Giambi locked in at the plate in this series, or what? I just hope that he keeps it up in Fenway now. And, perhaps Sierra can muster up one big night tomorrow against Wells in Boston? (By the way, Big Rube, a bright red silk shirt and matching tie on the YES post-game? Way to mack there fella.) And, this is just a hunch, but, I’m calling a big series for Matsui this weekend. He often rises to the occasion on the big stage. This is the perfect set up for Godzilla.

Now, to the bad news: You have a six run lead in the 8th and you have to use Gordon and have Rivera up and tossing as well? That’s flat out sad. It’s almost as sad as watching Sturtze served up nightly these days – cooked ala’ Torre. It’s a crime what Torre has done to so many promising pen men over the years.

Back to Proctor, it was scary on a couple of levels to see him closing tonight. First, well, because he’s Scott Proctor. And, the second reason is because he started the Yankees big run this year with a surprisingly good spot start. I hate to think that a surprising good close-job might be the other bookend to frame this collection of stories on great Yankees wins.

Speaking of a couple of reasons, the Boston win tonight was bad for New York in two ways. First, it was a Boston win. And, second, it was the way that they won – with a run in the 8th and 9th both delivered from Big Papi. Giving those guys some steam is the last thing that you want to do before a big three-game set.

In any event, it’s clear what the Yankees need to do now – win two games in Boston to lock up the A.L. East. Or, at the least, win one to force a tie-breaker game on Monday in the Bronx. And, if the Yankees win none, it’s over.

Knowing this, I keep thinking back to the Kevin Millar mantra during the ALCS last year – “Don’t let us win one game.” And, I truly feel that this applies for this year as well. It will serve the Yankees well to win on Friday and have Big Unit win on Saturday – and not let the Red Sox move from the line of scrimmage, at all. But, that’s easier said than done, right?

Ever since Morpheus Cashman freed him from the Baseball Matrix in Colorado, Chacón has been “The One.”

It was also great to see Mo get the save tonight only using 9 pitches.

Of course, a huge thanks has to go out tonight to Frankie The Cat and Ted Lilly. It must be nice for Lilly to win in Fenway at a time like this – when it was just two years ago that the Boston Bush Leaguers had his name taped to the backs of the jackets in an attempt to get the crowd at Fenway to sing-song his name and try and rattle him.

With the Yankees now up by one game, with four to go, it means that – at the worst – New York would need to win 2 of 3 in Fenway this weekend to take the A.L. East (and not a sweep to clinch). Further, with a win tomorrow – regardless of what Boston does on Thursday – New York would then only need one win in Fenway to lock in a tie for the East.

Throw in the Cleveland loss tonight – which gives a little breathing room in the Wildcard chase, if needed – and it’s just been a very nice night in Yankeeland.

Now, it’s up to Small Hobbs to keep moving the chains tomorrow.

It really bothers me that Boston swept the O’s – for two reasons. First, there’s the obvious one. But, secondly, Baltimore has now lost eight games in a row – and five of them have been by one-run. By virtue of the laws of probability alone, they’re due for a fluke win over the next four games.

So, I had a feeling that this was coming. Did I know it would be 17-9 bad? No – never, at all. But, thanks to Meltdown Mussina & The Arson Squad (with the latter being Leiter, Proctor, F-Rod, and Sturtze today) it was that ugly.

Now, it’s up to Chacón and Small to save the Yankees hopes for this season – and, why not? They’ve been doing it for months now.

At least the Indians and Red Sox also lost tonight. The Yankees got lucky there – both of them losing close games was a huge horse of a gift.

And, the next five games will tell us if the Yankees decide to look that gift in the mouth – or not.

At 11-0, after 6, I think it’s safe to put this one in the books.

Now, of course, you know that the Yankees are going to have scoring issues tomorrow. That’s always how it goes.

OK, gotta go now, the Escalona-Proctor-Womack-Lawton show is about to begin. Vento and Phillips better not be far behind.

Yankees magic number is now, assuming the “W” tonight, seven with six games to go.

Update, 9/27/05, 12:20 am EST: After watching Matt Lawton butcher another fly ball tonight into a hit and seeing Alan Embree once again play human batting tee (both in the 9th), I know (for sure!) that I would rather see the Bacardi and Cola guys on the Yankees post-season roster than Lawton and Embree (should the Yankees make it).

For those who missed it at the very end of the YES Post-game, Bernie’s comment, when asked about the fans today, was funny. He said it was a lot different today than back in 1991 when they were yelling “Go back to Columbus!” at him. Good memory Bernie.

To the game, what can be said about Obi Wang that has not been said already? Wang, Small, and Chacón have been the glue to this Yankees comeback this season. Amazing – three guys not on the Yankees radar this April. You never really know in baseball, do you?

And, it was nice to see Sheffield play RF and blast a HR. This would be an excellent time for him to go on a roll and hit something like 8 homers in seven days. Camden and Fenway are the perfect parks for him too.

So, now, it’s a seven game season. Why do I think that I’m not going to be sleeping very well this week?

It really bothers me that Boston swept the O’s – for two reasons. First, there’s the obvious one. But, secondly, Baltimore has now lost eight games in a row – and five of them have been by one-run. By virtue of the laws of probability alone, they’re due for a fluke win over the next four games.

To be honest, when I factor this in, it just adds to the not so warm and fuzzy feeling that I’m starting to get about this race.

At this minute, I truly feel that the Yankees need to be tied or up by one or two, going into Fenway, to have a chance at this.

If New York is down by one, maybe they can take 2 of 3 in Fenway and force a tiebreaker – and that’s a big “maybe.” If they’re down by two, they need a sweep to win. With Wakefield on Sunday, they’re not going to sweep. (And, if anyone is up by two going into Fenway, it’s either win or lose – and there can be no tie.) And, if the Yankees are down by three, they would need a sweep just to tie.

Of course, as we learned last year, over the course of a few games, anything can happen. So, I would never be placing any bets on any of this.

If Jaret Wright can pitch into the 7th tomorrow, I like the Yankees chances to make that (magic) number go down some more.

What I should have added on to that was: “Of course, if Wright is only able to register three outs and allows 7 runners to cross home plate, then I don’t like the Yankees chances.” Ah, hindsight, it’s so much easier.

They say that the sun does not shine on the same dog’s ass everyday. Clearly, it was not shining on Wright’s fanny today – for sure. Still, the Yankees had several chances to get back into this game today – and failed. In truth, there were quite a few Yankees’ behinds not feeling the sun’s rays today. What can you do? I guess the Yankees are not a squad of David Dunns? It’s just a shame to waste that wonderful relief effort by Roy Hobbs today in what was ultimately a losing cause.

And, despite a semi-good fight by the O’s, the Red Sox won today. So, what does this all mean?

It means that today, and the 173 days that preceded it, are completely irrelevant. Yes, you got it. All the marks on the blackboard have now been erased. Why? Because, as of this moment in time, it’s all been rendered meaningless.

The only true reality now is that the 2005 season for the Yankees is an 8-game set – no more, no less. And, there’s only one other team in the league: The Boston Red Sox. One of these two teams will win more games than the other in their next 8 contests and that team will be the one to get the glory. Now, it could end up as a tie – but, that should not be the aim of either team. The goal for both sides is the same: Win as many of these 8 games as possible. It’s pretty simple.

Tomorrow is the only home game for the Yankees in this new eight game season. It would be nice if they took advantage of it, had some fun, and got a win.

“Anyone who tells you they could’ve predicted what Shawn’s done, or did predict it, is lying,” Yankees GM Brian Cashman said. “When we got him [July 28] we needed a pitcher, and he was better than what we had on the roster. That was about it. The rest you can credit to Shawn.”

Seriously, how could anyone have predicted that Chacón would channel the pitching skill of Don Newcombe (say, around age 30) once he hit the Bronx? As long as he keeps pitching the way he’s been doing, including tonight, let’s just join hands and keep riding the C-Train. Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo!

Memo to Yankees: Find a way to trade with the Jays for that Shaun Marcum kid and use him out of the pen. He’s not afraid of pressure, throws strikes, and has some stuff. He’s going to be a good one.

So, ho-hum, the Yankees win another game today. And, it’s the 14th shutout victory for the team this year – tops in the A.L. (Lousy Yankees starting pitching, huh?)

Again, it (meaning a win) just seems like a given thing these days – even when they do something like tonight, where they have the bases loaded with no outs (in the 2nd) and the heart of the order up, and plate no one. It just doesn’t seem to matter. They’re just going to win.

Further, the Yankees actually now have a great shot at posting the best record in the league and getting home field in the post-season. How did that happen? Man, they’ve come a loooong way baby.

During the game today, I did allow my mind to wander a bit – towards the game on Sunday.

Will the Yankees fans do something for Bernie Williams, in what may be his last regular season game? I’m thinking no (at the moment) – as they probably expect him to have some post-season games coming in the Bronx. And, he’s not retiring, so maybe there’s no sense of urgency? I’m not sure.

Also, I wonder what the Yankees rookies will be forced to wear going into the last road trip of the season? Didn’t they do Elvis last year? Or, was last year the pimp suits? I’m looking forward to seeing the pictures for this year – whatever they decide. Wang, Cano, and the boys better get ready.

I did have one rant from today. It’s the 9th inning, there are 2 outs, you’re up by five, and you have Rivera start to get loose? Torre, man, you’re killing me.

Lastly, thanks to Miggy (B-12) Tejada, the O’s let down Daniel Cabrera tonight (and cost my prediction from coming true) and Boston won this evening. Nonetheless, the Yankees magic number is now 9. Any combination of Boston losses and Yankees wins that equal 9 means the Yankees will win the A.L. East. And, there are 9 games to go.

If Jaret Wright can pitch into the 7th tomorrow, I like the Yankees chances to make that number go down some more.

When the year started, I would watch the games thinking that the Yankees would win, and they didn’t. After a while, I started watching games hoping that they would win, and sometimes they would – but, sometimes they would lose too.

But, now, I watch the Yankees play and I expect them to win, and, they do – just about every time – regardless if they sputter with the bats in the early innings, or give up runs in the middle of the game, or have pitchers allow runners to reach late in the game. It doesn’t seem to matter. They just win. It’s incredible.

Lately, it’s like watching a movie where you know the hero is going to get the girl, save the day, and be shining at the film’s close – it’s just that you don’t know what’s going to happen in between the start and the expected end. And, that’s the point to watching the movie – just to see the currents of the story. But, no matter what you see in that “in between” time, it’s pure and clear to you all along that the good guy wins at the end – and he does.

How sweet would it be if the Yankees kept this up for 10 more games and into the post-season? It would be like “having just thirty dollars to your name and then winning the Lotto” sweet.

And, in a way, what makes it that sweet is how they are doing it now (in this time of winning).

Of course, if the Yankees manage to win it all this year, people are going to point to their payroll. But, it’s not that “payroll” which is entirely responsible for what’s happening now – as some large chucks of that (like Brown amd Pavano) have not been contributing to this effort. It’s been the Smalls, Wangs, and Chacóns, etc., who have been a bigger part of this turnaround. And, in the grand scheme of things, they’re in the “take a penny, leave a penny” dish in terms of the total payroll picture.

To the game today, it was nice to see Mussina shine – although I thought he was going to kill Lawton in the 6th when that ball dropped for a cheap hit. (How has Lawton survived all these years in the bigs being such a butcher with the glove?) And, Posada has been smokin’ the last three weeks with the bat. Also, it’s good for the scouts to see Sheffield drive the ball (like he did tonight). On the downside, Leiter could have done better – and may have hurt his chance to make a post-season roster.

In the end, while it’s obvious that every win is important now, this one was nice for me – because it gives the Yankees a full game lead. As I stated earlier today, it’s very important to have a 2-game lead heading into the final weekend of the season. And, before you can have a 2-game lead, you need a one-game lead.

Now, all the Yankees need to do is win one more game than the Red Sox over the next week and they will have that two-game lead heading into that important series in Fenway.

The Yankees magic number is now 10. Any combination of Boston losses and Yankees wins that equal 10 means the Yankees will win the A.L. East. And, there are 10 games to go.

It’s hard to believe that on the morning of July 2nd of this year that the Yankees were in 4th place in the A.L. East, with a record of 39-39, six games behind the first place Red Sox. Less than 12 weeks later, here are the Yankees – with a magic number just outside single digits. It’s some story, huh? And, as a Yankees fan, it’s an even better feeling.

Another close game. Wow. But, it’s another win.

September 16, 1964 – the Yankees are a 1/2 game out of first.
September 19, 1964 – the Yankees take first place and don’t look back.

September 16, 2005 – the Yankees are 1.5 games out of first.
September 21, 2005 – the Yankees take first place for the first time since July 18th.

This year is really starting to look like 1964.

Tonight’s game is a credit to the good people on staff with the Yankees.

On July 24th, Joe Kerrigan sits with Randy Johnson. Since then, including tonight, in his last 6 starts, the Big Unit is 4-0 with an ERA of 1.91. He’s only allowed 1 homer in those games and the league is only hitting .158 against him.

Matt Lawton comes to New York and can’t hit planet earth if he fell out of a space ship. Don Mattingly works with him and tonight he hits the big HR that provided the runs to win this game.

Wow. Have I said that already?

And, elsewhere, Mike Timlin blows a game in the 8th inning for the Red Sox. In their last 20 games, Boston has a record of 10-10. Something is happening with that team.

Is it O.K. to say “Wow” again? Wow.

Wow-we-wow-wow, in fact.

There are two concerns from this otherwise wonderful evening. First, Giambi looks like a guy who should be on the DL because of his back. Secondly, Mariano Rivera is not going to have a shoulder left come October the way he has to pitch just about every game these days.

Nonetheless, the Yankees magic number is now 11. Any combination of Boston losses and Yankees wins that equal 11 means the Yankees will win the A.L. East. And, there are 11 games to go.

Torre better have a very short leash on Mussina tomorrow. While a loss on Thursday would not be the end of the world, a win, giving the Yankees a full game lead, with just 10 games to go, is a gazillion times better than allowing the idle Red Sox to regain a share of first place.

This is the time to put the pedal to the metal.