After many questions about the the offense and the starting roation, the Yankees found it very easy to sweep the Minnesota Twins in the American League Division Series.

CC Sabathia was considered the Yankees only hope in the starting rotation.  If Sabathia didn’t do well then the Yankees would be in trouble.  Well guess what, Sabathia didn’t do well.

Sabathia went six innings and gave up five hits, four runs, and three walks.  In that outing alone his ERA was a 4.50.  His command was a little off, but Sabathia was able to pick up the win.

After Sabathia not doing well, everyone feared that the Yankees were in trouble.  What many seemed to forget was that Andy Pettitte was up next, the greatest postseason pitcher in Major League Baseball history.

Pettitte struggled in the first two innings, but came to his normal self after a chat with pitching coach Dave Eiland in between innings.  Overall he went seven innings and gave up five hits, two runs, and one walk and struck out four.

“I’ve never felt so unprepared going into the playoffs,” said Pettitte.  “I felt like I was going to have a good outing.  I felt like I got locked in mechanically, I felt great.  I asked the good Lord to help me get through it. Jorge [Posada] called a great game and it helped me get through it and get comfortable.  We were on the same page.”

I had a lot of confidence and Phil Hughes, but I don’t think anyone saw coming the outing he gave.  Hughes was absolutely stellar going seven innings and giving up just four hits and ZERO runs to close out the series.  He also struck out six Twins with his dominant fastball.  He picked up his first postseason victory in his first October start.

“I felt like from pitch one I had good stuff,” said Hughes.  “It’s just a matter of keeping my emotions in check and making sure I threw strikes and that I was ahead in the count, which I was able to do for the most part.”

“I really loved his stuff tonight,” said manager Joe Girardi of Hughes.  “I was really impressed.”

When the Yankees offense was in question they, too, answered back with a bang.

Curtis Granderson had the best series at the plate.  He went 5-for-11 with three RBI’s and scoring two runs.  He ended the series with a .455 batting average, the best on the team so far.

Lance Berkman had two huge clutch hits in Game 2 by breaking the tie twice.  First he hit a homerun to left center and then broke the tie again with a double to center.

Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher were both looking to end their postseason woes from last year by getting some hits.  In this series they were both able to contribute.

Teixeira was the hero of Game 1 when he hit a two-run home run to give the Yankees the lead and essentially the victory.  Nick Swisher gave big hits in game three, one of which a monster homerun to give the Yankees some insurance in Game 3.

“I think I had more hits in this game than I did in last year’s postseason,” Swisher joked.  He then got serious and said, “It’s a different year for me.  I’ve got a different mindset, and being around these guys and these winners in the locker room, to learn from them, to feed off of them, it’s really helped me out.  I really appreciate it.”

Most Valuable Player awards are not given out in the division series, but if I had to pick one the honor would go to Phil Hughes.  It was his first postseason start in his career and he pitched like a veteran.  To start off the postseason with a 0.00 ERA is pretty impressive, especially for someone his Hughes’ shoes.  I can’t wait to see his next start.

The 2010 regular season is over.  At the all-star break I gave out grades to players based on their first half of the season.  Here I’m giving out final grades on the season in it’s whole.

Individual grades first:

AJ Burnett
Burnett has been a complete head case this season.  He’s been known for that for years, but this year has gone to a whole new level.  His body language was uncomfortable.  It seemed like if he were to make a mistake in the beginning of the game he wasn’t able to get himself together at all.  He’s had his really good games, like the complete game he pitched in Kansas City, but still took the loss because the Yankee bats weren’t alive.  However, AJ has had two months this season where he didn’t collect a win.  All of his starts in June were losses.
Grade: D

Joba Chamberlain
I think Joba had a much better second half than the first, but overall I think he did a pretty decent job out of the bullpen this season.  He started the season as the set up man for Mariano Rivera, but lost that spot a little after the all-star break to David Robertson.  When Joba was used in other innings after than move he was able to do his job.
Grade: B

Chad Gaudin
Another guy where you never know what you’re going to get. Gaudin has had his good outings, but he’s had more bad ones.  There were a handful of games where the Yankees have had a comfortable lead that Gaudin turned into a slim lead.  There were also times where the Yankees have had a slim lead and Gaudin came in and prevented further runs.
Grade: B-

Phil Hughes
Hughes had a phenomenal first half. His second half hasn’t been as extraordinary, but he still has been a sensation to the Yankees starting rotation.  His worst outing of the season came in Toronto where he didn’t go more than four innings.  He’s also had a couple of outings where he gave up an early run and pitched great the rest of the game, but the offense wasn’t able to pick him up and keep him from losing.  Hughes had an outing in Tampa where he shut down the Rays lineup up until the 8th inning where his only mistake of the game led to a two-run homer that brought the loss.  Overall, Hughes has indeed been excellent and one of the trustworthy pitchers in the rotation.
Grade: A

Boone Logan
Logan’s first half was sub-par and he was sent down to AAA Scranton for a while.  When he was brought back he’s been more than great for the Yankees.  The injury to Damaso Marte left Logan to step up and be the left handed specialist the Yankees needed him to be.  There were fans that couldn’t trust him in the first half, and then were silenced when he returned.
Grade: B+

Sergio Mitre
Mitre started off the season very well.  He was on the DL for a while, but when he returned he has not been good.  After Andy Pettitte was placed on the DL for the strained groin, the Yankees looked to Mitre to step into Pettitte’s starting spot.  After one dreadful outing, Joe pulled him from the starting spot.  His outings from the bullpen have not been very good either.  He’s been a much different pitcher in the second half, and I’m sure his spot in the posteason roster will be in question.
Grade: C+

Dustin Moseley
After Mitre couldn’t get the job done, Moseley stepped into Pettitte’s spot in the rotation.  In my opinion he did a pretty good job.  He’s had his ups and downs, but some seem to forget his excellent outing against the Red Sox on Sunday Night Baseball.  His last three starts have not gone well, however, nor have his last handful of bullpen appearances.
Grade: B

Ivan Nova
Nova has been a fireball from the start.  He was labeled “Super Nova” after his little confrontation with Jose Bautista in Toronto.  He has great confidence and good stuff, but he has trouble in the fifth inning.  It never fails.  Nova will cruise through a start, but every time he got to the fifth inning he seemed to fall apart and give up a few runs.
Grade: B+

Andy Pettitte
Pettitte’s first half was absolutely fantastic.  His injury to the groin was a huge upset after the all-star break.  In his first start since coming off the DL against the O’s he did a great job, but the O’s won the game in walk-off fashion.  His next outing against the Red Sox was not very good when he gave up seven runs.  His following start which was also against the Red Sox wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t great either.  These last few starts does not have a huge effect on his season overall.  If only his injury had not occurred.
Grade: A

Mariano Rivera
There’s not much to say about the sandman other than how excellent he always is.  We’ve seen recently a little more blown saves than we are comfortable with, but there’s no reason to worry about him.  Put it this way, who would you rather have out there? Papelbon? I think I’ve said my peace.
Grade: A+

David Robertson
Robertson started off a little slow, but he has been outstanding since the all-star break.  He basically took of the bridge to Mariano and has been lights out.  I have full confidence in Robertson.
Grade: A

CC Sabathia
There’s one phrase I’ve agreed with all season:  “Thank God for CC Sabathia.”  He has really brought out everything he has in his bones to keep the Yankees rotation alive and keep the team in the game.  He has done everything the organization has asked him to do.
Grade: A+

Javier Vazquez
::sigh:: Vazquez started off awful.  Then he started to pitch well and be on my good list.  Then all of a sudden he fell apart again and could not seem to get it together; even in the bullpen.  I’m very disappointed in Vazquez.
Grade: D

Kerry Wood
When Brian Cashman made the trade for Wood, I remember a lot of people being against it.  I wasn’t against it, but I was concerned about whether or not he would stay healthy.  He proved me wrong.  Not only was Wood able to stay healthy, he has also become a vital part of the bullpen.  He is very successful against left handed pitching which is important in case Boone Logan is in need of a rest.  Wood has surpassed all of my expectations.
Grade: A-

Francisco Cervelli
Cervelli did a great job in the beginning of the season when he had to fill in for an injured Jorge Posada.  However, after the all-star break, he has not been playing well.  He had a very low on base percentage and his defense was not as sharp.  He was a little better in September, but he’s really going to have to step it up in the postseason.
Grade: B-

Jorge Posada
I think Posada played his season just like he always does.  He had to fight injuries, but his bat stayed a live.  His defense, however, has not been at his best.  Late in the season also he has had some clutch hits to help the Yankees win games.
Grade: B

Lance Berkman
When Berkman first come over to the Yankees he did not get off to a very good start.  He started to hit a little and then he had to go on the DL for an ankle injury.  After coming off the DL he started hitting much more, but overall he has trouble hitting at Yankee Stadium rather than on the road.
Grade: B

Robinson Cano
There’s no question that Cano is having an MVP season.  His second half has not been as great as his second half, but he still has been stellar.  I can’t wait to see where he finishes in the MVP race.
Grade: A+

Derek Jeter
Jeter clearly had one of the worst seasons of his career.  When we’re used to seeing Jeter being a .300 hitter, he only hit .270 and seemed to ground into double plays in almost all of his ABs.  He stepped it up in September which is a good sign that he’ll do his normal transition into the posteason.
Grade: B-

Alex Rodriguez
Rodriguez had a better second half than the first this season.  His saw the DL for a little while with a strained calf, but came back strong.  He found his clutch AB and has contributed his normal great hitting.
Grade: A-

Mark Teixeira
Teixeira had one of his worst starts to the season of his career, but it was quickly forgotten.  He had a MUCH better second half.  When everyone worried about his season, I had said he will still hit at least 30 homeruns and 100 RBI for the seventh season in a row.  And that he did.
Grade: A-

Brett Gardner
Gardner had a fantastic first season.  I had said that the Yankees would not have had the best record in baseball without him.  His second half, however, was not as good.  I’m not at all worried about Gardner for the postseason.  He started to step it up again in September.  As long as he doesn’t bunt I think it’ll be ok.
Grade: A

Curtis Granderson
Granderson’s start as a Yankee was not a very good one, but that, too, was quickly forgotten.  After meeting with hitting coach Kevin Long, Curtis changed his swing and has seemed unstoppable.  I’m very proud of his transition.
Grade: A-

Austin Kearns
Like Berkman, Kearns started off slow when first getting to the Yankees and then he started to heat up.  But unlike Berkman, he wasn’t able to keep it up.  Lately in the last month of the season he has seemed to strike out in almost all of his ABs.  He’s really going to have to step it up this October.
Grade: C+

Nick Swisher
What more is there to say about Nick Swisher other than the fact that I’m so proud of him.  He has really embraced the pinstripes and realized during the offseason how much he would need to work on to earn them.  He worked on his hitting and fielding and has been nothing short of tremendous.  I’m proud of you Swish, and so are all of the fans of the New York Yankees
Grade: A+

Marcus Thames
I think Thames is quietly having a fantastic season.  A lot of people kind of gave Thames the cold shoulder in the first half because he didn’t have many ABs to show everyday what he can do, and when he played defense he was pretty dreadful.  However, he really big clutch.  He does have two of the four pies by the way.
Grade: A

Overall grade as a team: A-
I know the Yankees have had their flaws this year, but they managed to have one of the best records in baseball throughout the season.  They’re going into the posteason healthy and ready to battle.  I know they will be ready.

I was just listening to the new Off the Wall podcast with Chris Shearn and Joe Auriemma.

I found this podcast in particular very entertaining and all I could say during it was, “AMEN!”  You’re a Yankee fan.  You know other Yankee fans.  You’ve seen other Yankee fans.  There’s one safe word to describe not all (but most) Yankee fans:  SPOILED.  It’s true.

Here are the reasons why Yankee fans are spoiled
1.  27 World Series Championships
2.  Derek Jeter
3.  Mariano Rivera
4.  Just the core-four in general
5.  A better farm system than most teams
6.  1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 (the fact we win in bunches)
7.  Past greats like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle (the list can go on forever…)

But the biggest reason of all is the 27 World Series Championships.  It’s quite the accomplishment.

I’m not saying that energy and heart is bad when cheering for the Yankees, and I understand why fans can get worked up.  This is just a reminder that WE HAVE THE BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL.  Fans complain we never score runs when we lead the league in runs scored.  Fans cried at the beginning of the season about Mark Teixeira and now he’s leading the team in homers.

Chris mentioned in the podcast of a tweet that really made me cringe because it just didn’t make any sense.  After the loss to the Rangers this week, Chris came across a tweet that said, “Losing to the Rangers is like losing to the Orioles.”  My response:  WHAT?!?!  First of all, how can someone compare the Rangers to the Orioles.  This is a team who has the biggest division lead in baseball, an ace like Cliff Lee, and a hitter (Josh Hamilton) who is among the leaders in baseball in batting average.  Also not to mention that we did lose two games to Baltimore this season.

I remember earlier this season when Mariano Rivera blew his FIRST save of the season.  Someone asked Kim Jones in a live chat what was wrong with Mo.  Kim replied that nothing was wrong with Mo and that he just had a bad outing.  She finished saying, “Yankee fans are spoiled.”  She couldn’t have put it better.

What also amazes me is how fast everyone loves a player to how quickly they move on hating them.  Poor Francisco Cervelli had a fantastic first half.  He hasn’t started off the second half as great, but it hasn’t been terrible.  But according to some fans it’s been awful and then, “Call up Jesus Montero” chants began.  First of all, Cervelli is A BACK-UP CATCHER!  He had more games to play in the first half because of Jorge Posada’s broken foot and did a great job.  Now that Posada’s foot is better, Cervelli has played less games.  Not all of his outings have been great, but to say that suddenly he’s terrible is ridiculous.  Fans forget that he still has a high average with runners in scoring position.  He’s not going to hit .300 and once in a while he’s going to have a bad defensive game.  It happens.  Even to Posada.

All I’m saying is when we lose a game, RELAX.  We can’t win all 162 games.  That’s what makes baseball a funny sport.  We are going to have good games and we’re going to have bad games.  I just want fans to remember that we have the best record in baseball.  Say it with me everyone:  BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL!!

Dear Mark Teixeira,

Let me start off by saying that I am a huge fan of yours.  However, it wasn’t since you came to the Yankees.  You’ve been my favorite player in baseball since your rookie season in 2003.  I used to get tickets to games against the Rangers and Angels just so I could see you play.  Other Yankee fans used to give me a look asking why in the world I would be such a huge fan of a player who wasn’t wearing the pinstripes.  I would tell them you didn’t have to wear pinstripes to show that you are a fantastic baseball player.

I know you don’t always have your best stuff in the first quarter of the season.  I don’t think anyone but you will ever know why your bat isn’t loud at that time.  However, what is always evident is that I always have your back.  Earlier this season a lot of fellow fans and newspapers were trying to argue that moving you out of the third spot would be the best.  I always backed you up and said that would not be necessary.  YOU ALWAYS COME THROUGH.  And look at you now!  You still are on pace to hit at least 30 homers and 100 RBI for the seventh straight season in a row.  To those fans that didn’t believe in you, I like to say, “I told you so!”

What I admire about you most is that you always have such strong faith in yourself.  I wish a lot of other players out there had a lot more faith in themselves.  The saying is always, “Look at the back of the baseball card,” but you really live up to those numbers because you always believe in yourself.

I know you are wearing the pinstripes now, and that makes me extra excited.  It was honestly one of the happiest days of my life when you signed with the Yankees.  I looked at my friends and said, “We just signed the BEST firstbase player in baseball.”  NO ONE COMPARES TO YOU.  I can’t wait for the year when you have a hitting first quarter.  It will be an EPIC MVP season for you!  Stay strong and keep me proud to be a fan of the Texecutioner!!

Best Wishes,
Kelsey

Dustin Moseley barely threw over 80 pitches going into the eight inning.  Lead off batters for the Jays in every inning seemed to be swinging on first pitch and getting out.  You would never believe that Moseley gave up nine hits and five runs unless you saw it.

“I thought he pitched a lot better than the five runs he gave up,” says manager Joe Girardi.

Moseley gave up home runs to Travis Snider (two-run HR) and Vernon Wells and John Buck had a pretty good night at the plate with two RBI.  One thing Moseley was missing was run support from his teammates.  Mark Teixeira provided the Yankees with their only two runs of the game with a two-run shot to the left field bleachers in the first inning…but that’s it.  Marcus Thames was responsible for the Yankees other hit of the game; for they only had two.

“That was tough,” says Moseley.  “I thought it was a fly ball and it just kept going and it just crushed that inning.  Kind of took the breath out of us a little bit.”

Ricky Romero pitched a great game for the Blue Jays.  He bounced back after giving up the homer to Tex and pitched a complete two-hit game.

“He was really good after the first inning,” says Girardi.  “I thought we hit some balls hard at people, but he didn’t walk people.  His defense played behind him, and we just couldn’t get it done.”

MIA:  Except for Teixeira, the rest of the Yankees regulars did not produce any hits.  Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano, and Brett Gardner each went 0-for-3 (Jeter with a walk) and Nick Swisher went 0-for-4 by flying out to center three times.

Unsung Hero:  Once again this goes to the Jays.  Travis Snider is on pace to be the Jays hero of the series.  He hit a two-run homer that basically sealed the deal for the Jays to win this game.

AJ Burnett seemed to be cruising in the first four innings of tonight’s game vs. the Toronto Blue Jays by only giving up one run.  The fifth inning, however, got the best of him when he gave up six hits (eight overall) and eight runs.  He gave up homeruns to Vernon Wells and Edwin Encarnacion.  AJ also gave six doubles in that inning alone.  He didn’t reach 100 pitches before Joe Girardi decided to pull him from the game.

“Singles are alright, but extra-base hits and homers can take you out of a game,” says Burnett.  “There’s a lot of things that baffle me, but you move on.  It’s a bump in the road.”

“He seemed to lose his command and it got him in trouble,” says Girardi.  “You’re surprised when he gives up a big inning like that.  He wasn’t able to make his pitches.”

The Yankees were winning 2-0 off a Nick Swisher two-run home run in the first inning.  After the AJ break down they were losing 8-2 but started to rally back.  Mark Teixeira hit a two-run home run to cut the Toronto lead in half in the fifth inning.  Then in the sixth Lance Berkman hit an RBI single to make the score 8-5.  Nick Swisher hit his second home run of the game in the 9th inning to try and start a rally, but the game would end on an Alex Rodriguez ground out to keep the score 8-6 Blue Jays.

MIA:  Alex Rodriguez 
He went 0-for-5 by striking out twice and grounding out three times.

“I haven’t been helping my team as of late,” says ARod.  “I’ve had quality at-bats.  I just haven’t been able to finish them.”  Alex also talked about looking to work with Kevin Long on getting a groove back.

Unsung heroes:  The Yankee bullpen and Travis Snider
Sergio Mitre pitched 1.1 innings and gave up two hits.  David Robertson pitched the seventh and struck out two.  Boone Logan came in the eighth and struck out one.  Joba Chamberlain struck out two in the ninth inning.  All were able to hold the Jays to eight runs.

Travis Snider had a huge fifth inning that helped the Jays get furthur ahead.  He started it with a double and scored on the Encarnacion home run and then hit an RBI double later in the inning.

The big upset about this loss is the Tampa Bay Rays victory.  The Rays beat the Twins tonight and are now tied with the Yankees in the AL East.  Winning games is now more important than ever at this point in the race.

Last night, Alex Rodriguez still didn’t hit his 600th home run….but that’s not what’s important.

The game against the Tampa Bay Rays started off what seemed to be a breeze for the Yankees.  Derek Jeter lead off the game with a single and Nick Swisher followed with a first pitch two-run home run. 

“I was trying to revenge my Marte punch-out,” says Swisher.

Phil Huhges seemed to be dominant throughout the game.  He went six innings, gave up four hits, and only walked two.  He also struck out six batters.  However, he made one mistake in the sixth inning and it cost him big time.  That mistake was a fastball over the plate to Matt Joyce who took it over the wall for a three-run home run that won the Rays the game.

“Hughes threw a great game,” says manager Joe Girardi.  “He made one mistake that was unfortunate and cost us the game.  That’s as good a game I think he’s pitched all year.”

Phil Hughes was asked if that mistake was tough after pitching so well and he said, “Yea it’s tough, especially in a game like this.  These games are really important.”

Nick Swisher was asked about his Spiderman-like climb on the wall to try and catch that ball.  He replied, “After watching the replay that ball was about ten rows deep so unless I was having a Coke and a popcorn up there I wasn’t going to catch that.”

Joba Chamberlain came into relief Hughes in the seventh inning and pitched the next two innings with spark.  He gave up no hits and struck out three.  He did a great job after struggle for a while in his last handful of appearances.

“Joba did a tremendous job.  Got himself back on track,”  says Nick Swisher.

As I mentioned earlier since it is on everyone’s mind, Alex Rodriguez is still stuck on 599 home runs.  He had an opportunity to try and tie the game in the 9th, but popped out instead.  We’ll have to watch tonight and see what happens.