THE YANKEES GREAT WHITE HOPE

AJ Burnett gets the ball tonight in what is being called do-or-die for the New York Yankees. It is... it really is do-or-die and the most ironic thing about it is the guy we've slammed all year... the guy we all told Yankees management to dump, to trade, to bench is our great hope. Funny how things take a turn like this.

All of Yankeeland will be focused in on AJ Burnett. HE, my friends is who we all need to depend on. He, a Yankee fans nightmare, a punching bag and now, we are putting our faith in this guy to win a game to tie the series and bring the ALDS back to New York. I have news for you, don't give up yet.
AJ wants the ball. This is the biggest stage of his life and he knows if he fails, well, then it's over for him in pinstripes. The Detroit Tigers are not a great ball club, but their a damn good, feisty ball club and they can get to AJ. So, whatever head games and issues AJ has had in the past, he needs to dig deep, focus and know that the Yankees need him now more than ever. Everything we've said and did with AJ is in the past. Everything he's down lousy is long gone. We have a clean slate tonight and AJ is our leader. So instead of thinking it's the end Ladies and Gentlemen, let's turn the page and suggest it's the beginning.

We tried our best guy in CC Sabathia last night, and with the help of lousy calls of balls and strikes, and a not so grand CC, the Yankees lost last night. Forget it. You have to. Now it's go time, and it's a MUST WIN.

But let's back up for a moment. It's not just AJ that all of Yankeeland should be depending on. What about the Yankee bats? It hasn't only been about pitching, it's been about missing perfect pitches and popping them up. It's about becoming TOO dependant on the walk. There's a formula in the batter's box and you need to have a balance. Something's a miss. Where are my Bombers?

Earlier this weekend, I posted something about Nick Swisher referring to his “over amped” anxiousness at the plate during the playoffs. He even stated that he needed to channel his energy so he’d be able to perform. Yes, in the late innings of Game 2 in the Bronx, he was finally able to relax a bit and crank out a solo shot and I thought hopefully that would start a little run for Nick. But it didn't, Swisher looked stupid in Detroit last night. If he's hoping to stick around in the Bronx after this season, that's no way to do it.

Then I started thinking about Alex Rodriguez, and Mark Teixeira. Yes, Girardi pointed out that ARod had 2 RBIs and walked last night, but look, let's face it, even Ramon Santiago is playing bigger than ARod. What the hell is going on with my New York Yankees?

Alex and Mark and just a few examples. These guys are some of the top hitters in the league and I know Alex was out for nearly 63 games with injury and surgery, but you have to think something’s coming. Right? Look, sometimes I think I’m being unfair. I reminisce about 2009 and how hot Alex and Teixeira were. Then I get annoyed because I realize expecting too much from these guys is exactly what I’m supposed to do. I’m a fan, these guys need to perform, it’s the playoffs!

The biggest problem we are having right now are “Ducks on the pond.” That’s a baseball expression that has to do with men on base. The Yankees need to get those ducks OFF the pond… and bring them home. It has to do with timely hitting. A perfect example is Game 1 and Game 3… Brett Gardner got a 2 run hit in both games at the right time to put the Yankees ahead or in last night's case, we tied it. He understands... get the Ducks OFF the pond. I hate to sound like an angry fan, but I am. Runs need to score or the Yankees don’t win. Long balls are great, but they need to happen when men are on base.

Jorge Posada, the guy everyone told me was too old for the playoffs has done his job. Yet, Robinson Cano hasn't shown up since Game 1. You know what I mean? Where’s the small ball, better yet, where’s the baseball? You need to move the runners over and I almost feel like the Yankees have forgotten that.

Now, we’re in Detroit, a place I don’t like, plus we're down 2 games to 1. There are feisty fans and when the Tigers are on, they will drown out any potential Yankees rally. So, there are keys to a Yankee victory. We really need to deliver now…we need to take the Detroit crowd out of it. That only happens if there is timely Yankee hitting and AJ, our sweet AJ does his job tonight. If not, it's over.

So pray to the Yankee Gods tonight, rally, put on your lucky jersey, kiss your Jeter poster, whatever you need to do, but most importantly put your support behind the guy who needs us now more than ever. AJ Burnett. It's time to dig deep AJ. This game's for you.

Go Yanks!

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WHY THE YANKEES FELL SHORT

The Yankees started off aggressive in the Motor City. Not knowing what to expect from CC Sabathia tonight, we needed to strike early and we did. Yankees had a 2 -0 by the end of the first, but it was clear that CC Sabathia wasn't doing his best CC impersonation. Instead he was doing his best AJ Burnett. Not good and walks galore.

By the bottom of the 3rd, the game was tied at 2. It was the second time around in the Tigers order and CC clearly didn't have it. Luckily for us, he did what he does best... fake it and get through the innings, not giving up a ton of runs and he kepy his team in it. On the other side Justin Verlander started out not looking great either. But that's what makes baseball great... you never know what's going to happen. In what was billed as a pitching duel, it wasn't. 2 pitchers on short rest, but only one would look good. It wasn't CC. Michael Kay said that the umpire was calling the same game for CC and Justin Verlander. I disagree. Clearly I wanted CC on top, but I tell you what, the strike zone for CC Sabathia was mysteriously small tonight, no doubt. I noticed several pitches that were strikes, were never called strikes for the Yankees. I'm not saying Verlander wasn't throwing them in the zone, he was, but so was CC. Bottom line.

In the 5th, it was clear that CC was laboring. Ramon Santiago put the Tigers in the lead 3-2. Both he and Brandon Inge were 2 for 2. You know, it was strange, Verlander appeared better than CC later, like he had something in reserve, striking out the side in the top of the 5th inning, making Brett Gardner and Russell Martin look silly. To me, I felt terrible. Yes, CC was doing his best dance, but the stuff wasn't there. But say what you will about CC, the guy showed heart and never gave up and never let the runs get out of hand. He did his best under the circumstances, I give him that.In the 6th, Derek Jeter got his second hit of the night. Granderson struck out and was clearly over-matched. He looked like a Little Leaguer up there. ARod struck out and looked ridiculous. To be honest, back to calling balls and strikes, 2 pitches to ARod both were the same pitch, one was a ball, one was a called strike three. I don't get it.(Photo: Getty)
CC Sabathia got knocked out in the bottom of the 6th and Rafael Soriano came in and took care of business. At this point it was 4-2 Tigers and I felt confidence again, my stomach wasn't in knots. I know that if we have stability on the mound, we can get some runs... or can we? We've done nothing since the first inning.

The 7th was nerve racking but there was hope. Posada walked and Martin got hit by a pitch and suddenly Verlander didn't look so good. Of course we needed a base hit for Brett Gardner just to keep the rally going with 2 outs and take the Detroit crowd out of it. Gardy delivered big, 2 RBI double and the game was knotted at 4. I was screaming in my basement at that point, Detroit was silent. But, you know what ticks me off? The announcers sounded sad about it. What the hell is that all about? I thought maybe I'd blow it off,
then Rafael Soriano made a pitch that Delmon Young drove into the right field seats and Brain Anderson, the announcer, was overjoyed. What a dick. At this point, it's 5-4 and I am longing for Suzyn Waldman and John Sterling. I can't stand the way TBS does baseball.

The top of the 8th, Granderson gave one a ride, but it was an out. Cano struck out on a crappy high called third strike. Alex Rodriguez came up and walked. But he looked slow and disoriented the whole at bat. Teixeira came up with 2 outs and a man on first and popped out weakly to Inge. Again Brian Anderson, the announcer sounded thrilled. John Smoltz actually made a comparison of Justin Verlander to hall of famer Nolan Ryan saying he's never seen anything like "this" since Nolan. Are you kidding me? The guys pitching a good game, can't we just we just leave it there?
David Robertson came in in the bottom of the 8th inning. Robertson struck out the first batter but then nails Peralta. It happens.

Then, Valverde came out to try and close out the 9th against the Yankees. Nick Swisher came up and popped out. Unbelievable. One out and Jorge Posada stepped into the box. He's 4-8 at this point. Posada worked a walk. Man on first and 1 out. Running for Posada was Eduardo Nunez and when Russell Martin came up, he gave the pitch a ride, but it was caught in right and Nunez could not advance. 2 outs and Gardy came to the plate. Nunez stole second and now he's in scoring position. Next thing you know, Gardner works a walk and men are on 1st and 2nd for Derek Jeter. The table is set. But there was not joy in Yankeeland... Derek Jeter had struck out.

Final Score: Tigers 5 - Yankees 4

Tomorrow IS do or die.

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