Yanks & Bosox Getting Stiff Challenge in East

Subject: Yanks & Bosox Getting Stiff Challenge in East Tue Jun 03, 2008 3:54 pm

Here we are into June. Granted, still early, but both the Yankees and Red Sox may be fighting just to get a "Wild Card" position in the post-season.

The Yankees have serious middle relief and set-up relief problems and are hoping that Joba Camberlain can give them credible starting pitching. It has been a long two months for the Yakees already. This almost has to be a turning point with Joba Camberlain pitching in the starting rotation. The Yankees can produce runs, but not as fast as the other teams off their pitching so far.

The Red Sox also have serious problems. It seems most of their team has been injured to some extent during the past two months. Name a starting player who has not been out for at least a few games. Now, Big Papi is on the DL and if serious, may end his season. It is amazing that the Red Sox are hanging in, near the top. They have leading statistics in many offensive categories. However, their mid-relief and set-up relief need much more consistency.

Who will challenge them? Tampa Bay has now shown they're a player.

The surprise may be the Blue Jays. I was going to mention them at the beginning of the season. They got off to a horrific start. However, the Blue Jays starting pitching is one of the best in baseball. I believe that both the Yankees and the Red Sox management shared the thought before the beginning of the season that the Blue Jay's pitching is "stacked".

So hold on to your seats, if you are Yankee or Bosox fans... this will a long season.
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"Manny changing the attitude in the clubhouse. It's like hearing that Pope Benedict XVI had 'em rolling in the aisles with his stand-up routine at the Vatican." -Dan Shaughnessy