14-7

The Yankees begin a 21 game stretch that likely will determine whether or not they are in the playoffs at seasons end. Opponents includes Cleveland, Anaheim, Detroit, Boston, and a break with Baltimore and Tampa. If the Yankees can go 14-7 they should put themselves in good position to have a chance at the division title. It's amazing that only 2 months ago Yankees fans wanted to fire Cashman, Torre, and anyone else they could find. A little pitching, hitting, and defense comes a long way huh fellas?

Phil Hughes goes tonight and needs to improve on his first outing back versus KC last weekend. This is his 4th start this season. In the 1st and the 3rd starts he got hit around a bit. In his 2nd start he had a no-no through 61/3 innings. Which Hughes will we see tonight? Hopefully we will get 7 innings from him with Joba finishing the last 2 as the Yankees take the opener 5-1.

The NFL preseason has a full schedule of games this weekend. Hard to believe that football is less than one month away.

In what could be the feel-good story of the baseball season (unless the Yankees win the Series), Rick Ankiel made a triumphant return to the Bigs last night. Pinch hitting in the 7th inning, Ankiel hit his 3rd career HR and his first since coming back to the league as an OF. You may remember him as the Gem of the Cardinals system, and a 19 year old phenom who pitched in the Majors in 1999 at the age of 19. After no longer being able to throw a strike he went back to the minors and re-invented himself as a position player. Tip your cap to him today.