Yankees Notes through 8 Games:

I spent an early season moment in thought today. It was completely unfamiliar territory but I wanted to mention some things I've noticed through 8 games. The Yankees so far, while playing to a 5-3 record, have hardly played their best baseball. The starting pitching has been hit or miss and half the line up isn't hitting yet.

CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Andy Pettitte have all pitched well in their first 2 outings. Together they've won 5 out of their 6 starts. Javier Vazquez has pitched poorly in both of his starts but it's really too soon to make any conclusions about him. Although watching today's game, you could hear some boos. Not a good sign! The bullpen has also pitched well for the most part and kept the Yankees in some close games.

Robinson Cano,

Just a few things I picked up on from the first series of the season:

1. As I've been saying since the end of last season "Brett Gardner should be the everyday left fielder!" He showed why in this series by going 3 for 9 with 2 stolen bases (including one of home on a double steal)! Even in the third game, where he went 0 for 3, he showed his value by drawing a walk in the 10th inning, stealing second base after seeing about 8 throw overs and a pitch out! And predictably he scored an insurance run for the Yankees.

2. Joba belongs in the bullpen after all. This wasn't a difficult concept to pick up on. He has the mindset of a reliever, not to mention it suits his stuff better. His velocity picked up into the mid 90's with regularity. Chan Ho Park and Alfredo Aceves both showed the difference