Here's a thought: how well AJ does during the playoffs will have an impact on how hard they try to acquire Roy Halladay in the off-season. Halladay definitely had an impact on AJ when they were mates, so a reunion would definitely be in the works. In fact, if they managed to hold onto Chamberlain in the process; think of what he could do for him. The only thing I'd be scared of is whether or not they ask for Phil as well. But if they took Wells back, they could lessen the asking price considerably.

Unfortunately, I think Alex has nailed this one.

As for Halladay, Chyll . . . nah. They have too much work to do in the OF corners to worry about adding yet another big name/money pitcher with Hughes moving to the rotation.

I dont think it all comes down to AJ. CC's and Andy's starts are just as important, and as good as they've been, both have run into trouble in October before.

That said, I'm not worried about any of them. I think the big 3 will keep the games close, and the bats and the bullpen will finish the job.

Can neurotics be optimistic? because I think I'm both.

Entirely apart from breaking up the two lefties, I note that Pettitte, despite his awesomeness lately, has pitched much better on the road this year than at home. Meanwhile, AJ has pitched much better at home than on the road.

Ergo, AJ should start game 2 of the DS, and Pettitte game 3 . . . which means if the DS goes 5 games, AJ starts game 5.

So yeah Alex, I'm with Cliff - I think you're definitely on to something.

Not related to this post, but I just gotta give a shout out to The Onion:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/team_jacket_wearing_transistor

LOL

Are they using up all of their mojo? Can this last?

Not sure if AJ holds the key to success in the postseason, since history shows that 1.5 hot starters can carry a team to a World Series title, but I can't help sharing your paranoia about using up all our good luck now during the regular season. The mind is a terrible thing.

In fairness to AJ, he leads the team in quality starts (68%) and he is second average game scores at 52.

On the negative side, I think the reasons for AJ's problems are that his GB/FB ratio has gone from 1.52 in 2008 (which is close to his 1.56 career average) to 1.08 this season, and his FIP has gone up from 3.45 (3.83 career average) to 4.45 this season.

[0] You have echoed my sentiments exactly. Not the healthiest of thought processes. 2004 comes to mind. Ugh!!!!

Are they peaking too soon? Can they carry the mo into the post season? WIll they be too rested?

I guess this is what being a fan is all about, albeit a neurotic one. It's a luxurious problem to have. At least we're not Royals fans. Then, we'd be in a constant state of suffering.

AJ's deal is when he's truly on he's almost unhittable, and when he's off, he's realllllly off. I've seen him "gut it out" a few times, but generally he seems to be feast or famine. I don't think there's really anything for him to "prove" per se. The die is cast; he is who he is. Hopefully he'll get on a hot streak in October.

I agree about the team's mojo, I am a little nervous about that.

[5] LOL!

""If the Cubs have a man on third and don't score, he starts screaming 'You suck, you suck!' over and over," said Wrigley Field security guard Eric Brodeur."

Good thing nothing like that ever happens on the intertubes.

Hey, it could be just like 1998, albeit with a slower start.

I wouldn't worry about getting Halliday. CC, A.J. Joba, Hughes & Pettitte? Wang? ???

Kinda weird that the Yankees have an off day in the midst of a homestand. But they've earned it.

Apropos of this post: The weekly q and a with KLAW at espn,

Wyatt (Hoboken, NJ)

This is the first year in a long time where I am very excited about the Yankees doing well in the playoffs. The other years going in I always had some serious doubt about their chances. I think a St Louis vs NY World Series is coming. What do you think?

Keith Law (2:31 PM)

Best overall team in the majors. But they enter the playoffs with one really reliable starter. Burnett in the postseason? How confident are you?

There it is in black and white, Keep the faith,

While I am usually pretty securely in the neurotic camp, I have somehow found myself in a mindset closer to awe as I watch this team and think about what they are doing.

Jeter's moment in the spotlight has me considering just how special it is to see the core guys from the '90s (and 2000) title run all having impressive seasons and making huge contributions to this resurgence from last year's finish.

Combine that with the new guys (CC, Teixeira, AJ...) and the younger guys from the farm (Hughes and even Melky) and I am too excited about what we could see in the next few weeks to be overly concerned.

Maybe I'm swimming in a kiddie pool full of Kool Aid, but darn it I'm far from neurotic for once.

Okay Cliff, I give you that as a good point and I did consider that. I was taking the tact that they would not bring Andy back and they would still need a fifth, which Phil would be if they stretch him next season. I doubted if Halladay were here and they miraculously held onto Joba and Phil that they would go by "fifth by committee" again, and even if they chose to bring back Andy and keep Phil as a seventh-eighth guy and Gaudin and Ace as your long men, Halladay is your 2, AJ 3, Andy 4 and Joba 5. That's if they decide to fortify the starting pitching first. As far as the corners, outside of acquiring Carl Crawford for LF or CF, who do you see as a strong possbility? I was under the impression that the coming off-season was a weak field for corner OFs?

[12] Good to see you in these parts, stranger! >;)

Sigh, Alex tapped my inner neurotic big time. My take has always been that there is so little to 'prove' in a 5 game series, it is so cruelly randomized. Think: midges. Think (staying with Cleveland): Sandy Alomar homering off Mo on a ball three inches outside and three inches high. These weren't failures of character or desire or skill. They are the Tao of the Short Series.

So the neurotic in me simply fears anyone in five games. Detroit can throw two outstanding pitchers at us, Angels do their banzai basepath thing, especially against Jorge, Boston is just too fraught with history. Is it dangerous to say: I want Texas?

But I do not believe that if, say, CC allows 4 or 5 in 5 or 6, it means he lacks ... anything important. It is just the nature of this damned game. Same with Burnett.

Interesting on the Pettitte/AJ home and away splits. Changes my own thinking on that.

[14] Likewise. I haven't had as much time with the internets as I'd like lately.

[13] If the Yankees got Carl Crawford, I would be over the freaking moon. For years he has been the one guy I've been wishing the Yankees would find a way to land.

2004 comes to mind.

This year the pitching (104 to 96 ERA+), offense (119 to 111 OPS+), and defense (.697 to .685) is better.

Granted, anything can happen in a short series, I'm more confident about this team than the 2004 one... As long as no one punches a clubhouse wall, they should be ok.

[15] shaun sort of alluded to it, but most of andy's home struggles came earlier in the season
but definitely agree on the precariousness of a 5 game series.

i have decided my relationship with aj is confined to once every 5 days, and today is not the 5th day - i'll wait to monday.

I am neurotic by nature; I'm always expecting the worse. Strangely enough, the level of play of this team has me very calm. I've been this way since before the all-star break.

It seems that except for a few games this season, they always have a good chance of winning and normally do win when they get the opportunity.

I have to disagree with Alex on this one. I think the key to the postseason this year will be the bullpen, especially the middle relief and Hugues.

I think this team got the stability it needed (meaning very short losing streaks and long winning streaks), once the bullpen was settled. My MVP has to be Hugues. Once he was given the 8th inning responsibility, the other guys in the bullpen performed very well .

Evidence to this is that the yanks are 61-1 when leading after the 6th inning!! and have not lost a game when tied after the 7th. That's ridiculous.

good news on Robertson! via Petey:

RHP David Robertson was seen today by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla., and underwent an MRI to evaluate stiffness in his right elbow. Dr. Andrews has recommended 10-14 days of rest for Robertson before beginning a throwing program.

speaking of the pen, here is some pretty good news from the yanks on lohud about robertson - petey thinks based on the time he he has already had off he might be able to start throwing september 14

RHP David Robertson was seen today by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla., and underwent an MRI to evaluate stiffness in his right elbow. Dr. Andrews has recommended 10-14 days of rest for Robertson before beginning a throwing program.

damn you thelarmis - that is what i get for blockquoting!!

[22] ahem! sometimes it pays to be stoopid when it comes to technology! : )

this no game business really sucks. and now i have no excuse to not be practicing/composing/recording. i might have to make beer my excuse! ; )

[24] Beer-Here! My buddy from Down Under just became a father to a little girl! We're going to celebrate tonight :)

[25] sounds like a good enough event for me to celebrate! i'm very far from being a father. kind of need to engage in a certain act that is evading me like the freaking plague. : /

oh well, least i temporarily figured out how to use the damn recording device and got a bunch of marimba parts down to my new latin composition!

i'll crack my first beer in just a little bit...

While I feel good about our chances in the PS, as far as I'm concerned, the best team in each league is the one that posts the most wins in a 162 game season. The best team in baseball is the one that posts the most wins in both leagues, in a 162 game season.

So, as of now, regardless of what happens in October, WE ARE the best team in baseball. Daz it.

And until, at very least, the DS is made a 7 game series, the PS has little value to me.