How Sweep It Is!

Wow. What a statement!

The Yanks’ four game sweep of the Sox officially announces to all of baseball that the Yankees are unquestionably the best team in the game.

Not only that - unlike last year - this team has the ability to rise above adversity and distractions and play up to their talent level.

The big off season additions stepped up this weekend and appear to have put the Yankees over the top when it comes to matching up with the Red Sox.

I’ve been blogging throughout the entire series and each night’s post went something like this….AJ did it tonight, now can CC follow his lead? And then…..CC dominated the Sox, but can we really expect Pettitte to do the same?

After tonight, it’s clear that the answer is “yes.” Whatever has gotten into the top half of the rotation has trickled all the way down to the Bombers’ lesser starters and the bullpen.

For a stretch spanning games one through four, the Yankee pitching staff kept the Red Sox scoreless for 31 consecutive innings! That’s the longest such streak for the Yanks against the Sox since 1952.

That’s UNBELIEVEABLE!!!

So what’s the difference? After the early 0-8 hiccup, you should look no further than the new guys in town.

Led by the insane pitching performances of AJ and CC and the bat/glove/leadership of Mark Teixeira, the Yanks are finally looking justified in shelling out that $450 million over the winter.

As of tonight’s win, the numbers stand like this:

6 ½ game lead in the East….7 straight wins….a season-best 27 games over .500.

Who would have thought the Yankees would achieve those milestones after the conclusion of a four game series with Boston?

And here’s one final number to chew on….that 6 ½ game lead bodes well for the Yankees:

The Bombers have NEVER failed to win the AL East when leading at any point in the season by six games.

After tonight…it sure seems like it’s in the bag.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle