Is it too early to write off Yankees?
May 21st, 2007 by Bill Burt
OK. I got your attention.
The obvious answer is yes, because they are the Yankees and, well, your Red Sox are the Red Sox. History, especially recent history, shows writing off a talent-laden Yankees team in May is foolish.
But what if it happens?
What if the Red Sox sweep the Yankees? What if the Red Sox win two out of three?
Don’t the Yankees have to win at least two here, not so much for staying in the race for sanity’s sake?
What are your thoughts on this three game series? Is it just window dressing? Remember the teams meet again at Fenway Park in a little over a week, when Roger Clemens is expected to pitch.
I will be blogging throughout the Sox-Yankees series at all hours of the day. Send your comments, thoughts and opinions about this matchup and I’ll respond.
9 reader comments to “Is it too early to write off Yankees?”
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1Mike said:
It’s not too early to write off the Yanks. In year’s past, we have almost grown accustomed to the Sox jumping out to an early divisional lead before bowing out in August and September and and taking a wild card berth.
In those seasons, the Yankees were able to outlast the Red Sox because the Yankees had the better pitching staff. This year, that is not the case.
Not only are the Sox off to the biggest lead that they have had over the Yankes this early into the season in quite some time, but the Sox’ pitching is better, which means it will be all that tougher for the Yankes to climb out of the mess they have themselves in. -
2Bob said:
I am amused by the back and forth bantering on this subject. The fact is that NOBODY knows what the rest of this year will bring. The Sox could go on to great things; the Sox could suffer more injuries than the Yankees have already; the Bronx Bombers could suddenly start clicking offensively and on the mound; well, you get my point. It is too early to assume we’ve got the division wrapped up, but the odds are certainly in our favor. Let’s just feel good and hope the joyride continues into October! Leave the fortune-telling to the gypsies!
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3Mort said:
Bill, I find it amusing about the amount of negativity the Red Sox are receiving on the sports talk shows and on the Internet. Fans are critical of JD Drew, Julio Lugo, and the bullpen minus names Okajima and Papelbon. _They are in first place!_ Relax, Red Sox Nation. No jumping off the Tobin until 2nd place could be looming after a 3-game series. But until then, enjoy the baseball season.
Side note: have you seen the amount of runs the Red Sox Single-A affiliate the Lancaster JetHawks have given up? In last weekend’s three game series against Lake Elsinore they were outscored 63-20!! (No kidding!) They won the middle game of the series, 14-12. The other two were losses of 30-0 (*ouch!*) and 21-6. I hope the Red Sox continue to look for pitching in Japan. Because it doesn’t seem like it’s coming from the lower minor leagues any time soon….
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4Ted Swift said:
Long, long before Aaron Boone took the Sox out of the 2003 playoffs with his devastating season-ending homer off Wakefield, I couldn’t stomach watching this bozo pitch for us. I understand his dedication and loyalty to the team, but every time he takes the ball I have heart palpitations and scramble for the remote. (Think John Wasdin.) When Jon Lester returns I strongly suggest the Sox keep Tavarez in the rotation and allow Lester to take Wakefield’s place. He (Wakefield) probably deserves a job in the Sox organization but it is probably working in community relations or some other PR function. Just keep him out of uniform.
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5s1c said:
With 119 games left in the season it is way too early to write off the spankees, but it sure is nice to be up by 10. As for sweeps, isn’t going to happen. I think that Schilling will be on the mound trying to prevent the sweep by the Spankees.
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6Dan said:
We need to take two of three here at least and keep the spikes on their throats. The last thing we need is to allow them to get some momentum with a series win or a series sweep (heaven forbid). I know we could very well get those games back this weekend with the Yankees facing the Halos and us in Texas, but in all honesty, even a ten game lead doesn’t make me relaxed at all. These are the Yankees, and they have too many players well below their career norms to think that they will stay down and nearly out.
As for Wake, I don’t hate him like Ted Swift, but this start tonite is making me suspect that his early performance was an illusion and he will revert to the innings-eating league average starter we’ve known and (most of us) loved. That’s going to put a little more pressure on the starters, even if I’d prefer to put Tavarez in the bullpen when Lester is ready.
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7Heywood said:
Bill, it’s pretty lame that you redirect people seeking Bradford’s blog to your own. Grow up. I’ve got his new one bookmarked I won’t be visiting this site again.
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8Big Show Crew said:
Hellllloooo!
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9John said:
I think the Red Sox have a pretty good lead but it is too early to write anyone off. That’s why we play the games. I know it is unlikely but with a lot of luck the Orioles or the Devil Rays could win the division.
