Afternoon Baseball

EDIT: I actually wrote this Sunday but there were server problems keeping me from getting this up.

For so many reasons. Watching the Yankees play about 56 hours of baseball this weekend was one. Then, having to try and get excited about a good Giants win and the rest of football. Plus, the season premieres of "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy."
Personally, I also added in a long work week and four hours of driving on little sleep, which has contributed to my neglecting this blog.

After this weekend, we know a few things:
1. Melky Cabrera has to be the center fielder every postseason game. If he hits, it's spectacular. If he doesn't, he saves runs with his arm. That first-to-third express that's lasted since the 1990s is over, and if runners continue to be foolish and test him going home, let them.

2. The Yankees are picking exactly the right time to break the Joba Rules. As Mike Francesa said a ways back, if it's the last two weeks of September and the Yankees need the wins, those rules are out.

3. With his 250th win, Mike Mussina may have locked up a spot in the playoff rotation. It's going to be a gamble whether it's Phil Hughes or Moose, but right now, Moose has the edge. Thankfully, it's not simply because he's the veteran with experience.

4. The Yankees bullpen is very shaky, and so postseason hopes depend more and more on the aging starters. It also means that the team could have a long run or be dominated. The offense has improved greatly since July, but the pitching hasn't. Offense doesn't often win titles in baseball, but it'll keep the Yankees in games, one would think.

5. Toronto should have a hell of a lot more wins than they do. While one admires their grit and heart through injuries, one also has to wonder if that was not on display nearly as much during the rest of the season.

6. RIP, RFK Stadium.