12 IN A ROW IS KIND OF A BIG DEAL.

The Yankees are rolling. It's kind of amazing. 12 in a row is kind of a big deal.

The New York Post writes:

"The 12 consecutive victories give them their longest streak since 1961, though No. 12 wasn’t easy. The Yankees blew an early six-run lead before Aaron Judge delivered the go-ahead single with two outs in the top of the ninth.

Aroldis Chapman, who hadn’t pitched well for the most part since his return from left elbow inflammation, pitched a scoreless ninth for the 300th save of his career, sending the A’s to their fifth consecutive defeat and ninth in 11 games."

But on paper, a win's a win and that's what we needed.  As I wrote in BOONE HAS TO GO WITH HIS GUT WHEN IT COMES TO CLOSING OUT GAMES, it comes down to what Boone sees fit for his guys in the moment when it comes to closing out games. Last night he went with Chapman who almost blew it. But in the end, he didn't and secured his 300th save. That's baseball. Sometimes you need to go with your gut and see what happens. Plus, you need a guy like Chapman who's been struggling to find his confidence. Tough balancing act for Boone, but he did it last night and good for Chapman. It worked.

But now with a 12 game winning streak, something that hasn't been done since 1961, a new challenge. Can the Yankees get 13 straight.  At this point while it's fun, it doesn't need to happen as long as they continue to win 5 game stretches, 3 game stretches, 9 game stretches.  A loss here and there sucks, but that's the game we play. You can't win them all... you can't lose them all either.

But last night was historic and that's a good thing. And more good things are coming. I mean, look at a guy like Giancarlo Stanton. Playing the field has changed his game. I firmly believe that. He's more engaged, his mind is moving, he's staying warm playing field as well as batting. It's working for him. SI writes:

“I think if anything, maybe physically it’s helped him,” Boone said. “Moving around and keeping his body going in the game, I think that’s something that’s been beneficial for him.”

Either way, Boone has been pleased with Stanton’s defense. In other words, continuing to play him in the field is a viable option for a team that could use the flexibility.

“He’s played a really good outfield for us,” Boone said. “It’s been a seamless transition right back out there. Looks like he’s been playing regularly all year the last couple of years.”

I mean, duh.

As well as the competition between Voit and Rizzo... bring it. I know they both respect the hell our of each other, but I know that as a teammate and someone you are competing with in the same role as you... you can't like the guy, because you want that role more.  It's just the way it is.  Does the competition help the club? 1000% it does. 1000%.

But keeping them both in the lineup can be a major boost and push as we head into October. Yahoo Sports Scott Thompson writes:

"So, Aaron Boone, this is what you could do:

- Play Joey Gallo in center field. He has the experience with the Rangers (55 career games)

- Have Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge play in left and right field respectively for obvious reasons

- Leave Rizzo at first base with Voit serving as DH

And from that foundation, Boone can mess around with it how he sees fit. Voit can relieve Rizzo on days when he can just be DH. Brett Gardner, who will have to take a back seat to those power bats who have been producing recently in the lineup, can give anyone in the outfield a day's rest.

Here's ultimately what the best Voit-Rizzo lineup should look like when everyone is healthy:

DJ LeMahieu, 2B
Anthony Rizzo, 1B
Aaron Judge, RF
Joey Gallo, CF
Giancarlo Stanton, LF
Luke Voit, DH
Gary Sanchez, C
Gleyber Torres, SS
Gio Urshela, 3B"

Now obivously personnel will change, like for instance throwing Andrew Velasquez and Odor in the mix... but for the most part, this is an All-Star Yankees lineup.

In the end, this is a great feat... but Yankee fans always need more. I'd like it to keep going!

Go Yanks!