All right, the last few defeats have been as sickening as they come. But I'm not panicking yet, despite what the Daily News tells me.

The Yankees are 8-10 through 18 games. They have a 4.67 ERA.

Last year they were 11-10 through 21 games, ended up leading the majors with 97 wins and coasted to a ninth straight AL East title, by 10 games over the second-place Blue Jays. They posted a 4.41 ERA over 162.

In 2005, the Yankees famously began the season 11-19, as you might expect with Kevin Brown, Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano in the rotation. (Wait, we let Kevin Brown pitch after the 2004 ALCS?) They finished third in the majors with 95 wins and clinched the AL East title in some rat-infested park in New England. They posted a 4.52 ERA over 162.

So, we're right around the same shitty start we're used to by now. The ERA is hardly statistically significant after 11.1% of the season. The last two division champs would've given up only a few less earned runs through 18 games.

• What's going on with Don Mattingly? My all-time favorite player retires and we win a World Series. Donnie Baseball leaves his post as hitting coach and Alex Rodriguez has his best month ever.

• Giambi is starting to mash a bit. Which we need. Remember, a walk for Giambi counts less than a walk for most, because he's a load of bricks on the basepaths.

• Backup catcher Will Nieves doesn't have a hit since 2002. Yet he beat out Todd Pratt for a job in spring training. Yeesh.