Bronx, N.Y., April 7, 2011 – Early returns are in and, despite dire predictions about the Yankees and their rotation, they received their fifth quality start in six tries Thursday afternoon. The Yanks got by the visiting Minnesota Twins 4-3, plating exactly four runs for the third straight game, two of them 4-3 victories. A. J. Burnett went to 2-0 and the Bombers headed to Boston for their first 2011 road series having managed to win a game without hitting a home run. Continue reading →

April 5, 2011, Bronx, N.Y. – I knew there was something I liked about the pitching matchup in the Bronx for another early-season frigid affair. The last time lefties CC Sabathia and Brian Duensing squared off in Yankee Stadium that I can recall was in the opening game of the 2009 ALDS. In that one the Twins broke out on top, scoring twice on several singles and a passed ball in the third, so when the Yanks blasted their way to a 3-0 lead after one and 4-0 in the second Tuesday night, I immediately (and foolishly) decided I preferred this contest. Continue reading →

April 4, 2011, Bronx, N.Y. – The record is now 3-1 for the Yankees. They’ve won three of four games, yes, but perhaps more important in 2011 with the focus on the rotation, three of four starters have given the team a quality chance to win. Teamed with yet another show of power, it was enough to garner win No. 3 of the season. Continue reading →

April 3, 2011, Bronx, N.Y. – The 2011 Yankees made a lot of noise yet again Sunday afternoon, with four more home runs and seven runs scored. But an offseason bugaboo raised its ugly head, simply because they did not get a good start. Compounding matters, fifth-in-the-rotation candidate Bartolo Colon relieved a beleagured Phil Hughes and failed to stem the tide, dooming Yankee comeback efforts to failure. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., April 2, 2011 – “I’m going to tell you how it’s going to be,” starts the song Not Fade Away by the Grateful Dead, and watching A.J. Burnett fashion four strike outs the first time through the Detroit batting order, I was doing a little predicting myself. It was clear from the outset that Burnett was comfortable on the mound, throwing his heat and his bender for strikes. High cheese at 94 and an 83 mph curve had Austin Jackson on his heels; a swing and a miss at a four-seamer two throws later sent the ex-Yank prospect to the bench. Continue reading →