Yankees back atop AL East
Posted by: Josh Thomson - Posted in Misc on Jun 20, 2010 
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The Yankees’ 4-0 today against the Mets returns them to first place in the AL East for just the third day this season. The Rays lost 4-1 in Florida to Marlins ace Josh Johnson.
This is the first time the Yankees have held sole possession of first place in the division since the end of play on April 21.
“We like being in first place. We really do. There’s something about this division and having a chance to be at the top of this division,” said Mark Teixeira, who provided all the scoring with his third-inning grand slam off Johan Santana. “We’re not halfway there. But at the same time, we’ve put in a lot of work. We’ve had a lot of injuries and we’ve fought through. The work we’ve put in has paid off so far. But we have a long way to go because everyone knows how tough our division is.”
No doubt about that. The Rays (42-27) trail the Yankees (43-26) by a full game. The Red Sox (42-28) can remain in a tie for second if they defeat the Dodgers tonight on Sunday Night Baseball, so the race is awfully tight.
Here’s a complete look at the standings. If Boston wins tonight, the three teams will lay claim to the three-best records in baseball. The Braves are the next-best at 42-28 and, at +67, have the third-best run differential behind the Yankees (+101) and Rays (+92).
does Laird have a future in the field?
or is he strictly DH and/or 1st base, fodder ?
josh knows his baseball.
GB’s boy Laird is making some serious noise down on the farm……
Vinny,
He can hit. He’s not a good defender.
However, if he can continue to hit, he will find himself on a ML roster one day. Even if it’s as a bat off the bench.
They always find a place on the roster for you if you can hit.
SJ:
gotcha. Thanks
1st place all alone, sounds good! CC at his finest today.
Tues John Lackey 8-3 Era 4.53 vs Ubaldo Jimenez 13-1 Era 1.15 should be fun o watch
Ubaldo go for no.14
So how does this US Open thing work?
If no one wins during injury time they go to penalty puts?
I really like the top four starters in the rotation.
Nick,
you get three putts to hit over the lighthouse and into the clowns mouth.
First one to do it wins.
Rich, let me guess which one you don’t like – the one who has a hillbilly drawl?
Become interested in Tim Norton. 6’5″ righty – throwing harder than Phelps today (Phelps was b/w 90-93). Nice story how he has come back from shoulder surgery.
Kaird’s glove work isn’t that bad. He has a strong arm, but, is a little scatterarmed on the throws. He makes errors in streaks. Not sure, if it’s footwork or just no sense of direction. He’s not really off that much, but, enough to collect throwing errors. Most just pull the first baseman off of the bag. But, to be honest, Vechionacci isn’t very good at first base, though this is his first year there. Not sure what’s gotten into him, but, he’s hitting for average (.300 and some power 6 homers in 160 at bats). He was drafted in 2002 by the Yankees, but, hard as it is to believe, Vechionacci is only 23.
The foreign players won’t have a clue what to do with the windmill.
Advantage: USA.
****Laird’s**** glove work
Re: Laird’s 12th error today:
Laird’s error came on ground ball behind the bag at third. It was a long throw that was high and into the runner. It would have been a great play.
Take it for what it is worth – but not sure if it can determined one way or another if he will be forever a bad defender or good defender. Also interested to see if he can play OF down the line – has an arm. Could also be trade chip.
Vechionacci was an undrafted FA in 2002. Sounds like a July 1st guy.
Pat – didn’t you predict the Yanks would be in first place by the All-Star Game? I don’t mind you being a little off in your timing.
“Rich, let me guess which one you don’t like – the one who has a hillbilly drawl?”
I wouldn’t refer to him that way (or anyone else for that matter), but even when AJ is pitching well, he usually doesn’t pitch well on the road. I don’t dislike him, but I’m very confident with with the top four right now. That’s all I meant.
“Kaird’s glove work isn’t that bad. He has a strong arm, but, is a little scatterarmed on the throws. He makes errors in streaks. Not sure, if it’s footwork or just no sense of direction. He’s not really off that much, but, enough to collect throwing errors. Most just pull the first baseman off of the bag. But, to be honest, Vechionacci isn’t very good at first base”
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thank you, G.
SJ44 / all – I know Putz has been discussed quite a bit around here lately, but I haven’t seen too many thoughts on what the Yanks would realistically have to give up. Also interested in what it would take to bring Wiggington over from the O’s to bolster the bench (in place of Russo). Can anyone shed some light?
Afternoon GB
Rich in NJ……If the Yanks do sign Cliff Lee and Andy does comeback in 2011, just think about this……AJ Burnett will be the best # 5 starter in baseball…..He’ll also be the most expensive to boot, but that was the price tag the Yanks were willing to pay to plug the hole…….
Pat M
I actually think that AJ is the best #5 starter in baseball right now.
Any time, Vinny. Happy to add something to this board. I’m such a slug. Laird make a lot of good plays and pretty good on bunts. Just that his throws usually drift off-line to the outfield sign. Hardly ever towards the homeplate side.