Dude.. thanks for the Yanks update, just 10 days left of my trip, will be home Aug 17th.. get tickets for a game, I need to see some baseball.. Right now in Munich germany drinking liters of beer.. anywhere, beer halls, trains, streets, even in church.. ok just kidding about that one..

That's an impressive lineup. An equally impressive bench too with Cabrera, Wilson, Cairo...and possibly Dotel in the bullpen. We're in great shape.

Ayan, you return just in time for a five-game series, over four days, at Fenway. Sounds like Brother Jimmy's had better keep the Bud on ice.

Xopher, great point about the bench. You always can use a little substitute speed and defense off the bench, but I can't see Torre pinch-hitting too much if our healthy lineup comes together.

An impressive lineup for sure but I'm not convinced about that pitching staff. I'll take Mussina in a big game any day of the week but even though Wang has been lights out his last two outings, I'm unsure of what he'll do under playoff pressure. Saying Randy Johnson makes a great third starter at this point is the same as admitting he's just not that good anymore but might still have a big game or two from time to time.

That offense might need to average 7 or 8 runs a game...and they are capable of it but from what I see it looks like things are shaping up like last season where the Yanks and Sox are going to limp quietly out of the playoffs. Neither seems to be as dominant as years past

The Yankees are on pace for 99 wins, have the second-best record in baseball and are expecting the return of three All-Star players. What years past are you referring to, 1927 and 1998?

Yes, I know saying Randy is a becoming a solid third starter was a knock on him not being an ace. That was the point. But this is not a team with bad pitching. Since when does a team with a 4.26 ERA need to average 7 or 8 runs to win?

Wang is 13-4, has the AL's 10th-best ERA, has gone at least seven innings in nine of his last 11 starts, and gave up only one earned run in 6 2/3 in his only playoff start last season as a rookie. Our optimism has more to do than with his last two starts.

The year I was referring to was 2005, the year the Yanks finished with 95 wins (3rd best record in baseball) and didn't make it past the Divisonal Series. I can just envision the same thing happening again.

I think comparing this Yankee lineup to the '27 team or to a team that won 114 games might be going a little overboard.

My point is, when I look at these Red Sox and Yankee teams, I don't see the completeness that made them the teams to beat in recent years. I think both have weaknesses and not only that, they are pretty significant ones.

That is, of course, unless you feel confident about their pitching staff which it sounds like you do. You gotta hope you are right because we both know come October, good pitching usually shuts down good hitting.

I wasn't comparing the 2006 Yanks to 1927 or 1998. I asked if you did when you said this club was not as dominant as years past. What years? Last year? They weren't "dominant" enough to even secure home field in the ALDS. The 2005 club was merely on the short list of best teams in the majors, with as good a chance as anyone to win the Series. Just as they do now. And considering the circumstances earlier in the season, that's reason to celebrate today.

I wouldn't say the Yankees went quietly in the playoffs last season. They forced a Game 5 on the road, and without a fluky collision in the outfield of that game, they may have made it to Chicago. But the White Sox made like the 2002 Angels, anyway. Doubt anyone could have beaten them.

So, blowout wins are confidence boosters, but blowout losses are mostly throwaways?

The 2005 club was merely on the short list of best teams in the majors, with as good a chance as anyone to win the Series. Just as they do now. And considering the circumstances earlier in the season, that's reason to celebrate today.

Right, we are probably more on the same page then it appears. Our 2006 teams have been relegated to merely being on the short list of best teams in baseball instead of being unquestionably the 2 best teams in baseball. In recent memory, the question was never would the Yankees make the playoffs but how far would they go. In 2004, 2003 and especially 1999 (I thought), I expected the Red Sox to win it all. All the pieces seemed to be there. (Thankfully 2004 worked out)

Now, who knows what will happen. I wouldn't be suprised if in the Divisional series Yankee pitching gives up 7, 10, and 8 runs in each game just like I wouldn't be suprised if the bottom of the Red Sox batting order went 2 for 35 in theirs. But right now I am leaning toward being suprised if we see them matching up in the ALCS again.

I cry every day over the loss of Abreu. He was the only decent player the Phillies had.

worldofb, I'm not talking about a 12-run win every couple of months. If the Yanks win 15-3 over someone I don't expect a run of wins to follow because of it. But 10 wins by 4 or more over 27 is impressive and counts a lot, I think, in terms of building confidence. And it sure is hell less taxing on the pen, which was a problem the last two regular seaasons.

Enjoy Abreu and his alligator arms, his fear of outfield walls, and his no-diving-catches policy. And how good-natured he is while laughing after making an out with runners in scoring position. And as an added bonus, you also get a can of creamed corn disguised as a pitcher in Cory Lidle.

I think we've just discovered that rare species known as the Bitter Philly Fan.

Bitter? Naaah. Abreu is probably a better fit in The Bronx because he won't be as focal a point on the team like he was in Philly. Fans and media here expected him to take more of a leadership role when he became a big-money player, and it never happened. He even admitted that he knew he alienated fans by the way he plays and acts on the field at times. The Phils have had nearly an entire roster of laid-back personality position players for too long, with no 'Jeter' type of guy - both on the field and in the clubhouse - to fire them up. There have been some - and there still are - some good players, but they are either too young to step up yet (Ryan Howard), or are the 'lead-by-my-example' kinda guys, (Utley, Rowand) or both.

As for Lidle - he should be happy to be pitching in Tampa next year.