JT the Brick

The New York Yankees, the most expensive team in baseball, still appear to have the same problems that have kept them from winning the World Series since 2000.

The Yankees were not impressive during a weekend series with the Angels in Anaheim. The Yankees' lineup could be the most potent in the history, but they still have a difficult time manufacturing runs. Every player tries to hit a double or a home run.

The Yankees returned to New York after losing three-game series to Oakland and Anaheim. New York was beaten by Marco Scutaro of Oakland and Adam Kennedy of Anaheim proving that even a $200 million payroll can’t account for timely hitting and good pitching. In the season opener, the Yankees scored seven runs in the second inning at Oakland en route to winning 15-2.  Sunday, they blasted the Angels for 15 hits and 10 runs to win their second game. All or nothing seems to be once again the theme for the 2006 Bronx Bombers.

The Yankees already trail Boston by three games and that is significant. Every Yankees veteran talked about getting off to a quick start, unlike the slow start that plagued them for most of the 2005 season.

It is never too early to talk about the rivalry between the Yankees and the Red Sox. These two teams make up the best and most prestigious rivalry in professional sports, and Boston has the upper hand early in 2006. The Red Sox have won four games in a row on the road and seem to understand that they need to get off to a quick start if they want to compete for the playoffs in September.

The Red Sox begin a 10-game homestand Tuesday with three games against Toronto, four with Seattle and three with Tampa Bay. They should continue to win in front of the Fenway faithful before they head back out on the road to play nine games against Toronto, Cleveland and Tampa Bay. As you can see by this easy opening schedule, it looks like the Red Sox will win and gain confidence while the Yankees look to dig out of their early hole.

New York travels to Boston for two games May 1-2. New York will have an opportunity to get hot against Kansas City, Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Toronto, but if its bats go cold and its pitching remains inconsistent, the Red Sox could have a big lead before the summer begins.  

Fans in Boston understand what it will take for the Red Sox to make the playoffs this season. They most likely will not top the Yankees in the AL East standings, so the wild card will be their best bet to get into the postseason. That means that Boston must keep an eye on Oakland, Anaheim and Cleveland and make sure that it never falls more than three games behind the second-place team in the AL West. Curt Schilling is off to a 2-0 start, Tim Wakefield looks to have his knuckleball dancing and Josh Beckett looked sharp and won his first game as a starter in a Red Sox uniform.

Most Yankees fans seem confident that this team will break out of its early season slump, but also felt uneasy about the pitching rotation.  Unless general manager Brian Cashman buys yet another pitcher, it is clear that the Yankees do not have enough good pitching to win the World Series.           

Randy Johnson should easily win 20 games if he stays healthy, but after that, don't expect another 20-game winner anytime soon. Mike Mussina looked effective Sunday, pitching six innings and only giving up one earned run, but his fastball is no longer a power pitch. If he cannot consistently control his breaking ball, any player can take him out of the park. Meanwhile New York realizes that Carl Pavano is a complete bust while Jaret Wright and Shawn Chacon are a combined 0-2 coming off the road.

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It is too early for any true Yankees fan to panic. While Johnny Damon looks like he is adjusting nicely to his new role as the leadoff man for a power team, New York fans are now accustomed to Jason Giambi getting off to another typical slow start in April with a .167  batting average.  Since Gary Sheffield is being investigated by major league baseball for his involvement with BALCO and Alex Rodriguez needs to develop into a consistent clutch hitter in New York, expect to see more tension on the faces of players on this team than any other in recent years.

This could be the year Derek Jeter or Joe Torre has no choice but to speak up publicly to wake up team and motivate the players before owner George Steinbrenner finally starts letting some employees go.