SO FAR SO GOOD

The Yankees could not have asked for a better start.  Okay, they could have won six straight, but four out of six on the road against the Red Sox and the Rays is damned fine.  Especially considering that they lost the first game of each series.

High notes so far include the following.  First, Curtis Granderson looks great.  He has been the team’s best hitter so far, and he completes a mid-career core four with  Teixeira, Sabathia, and Cano.  Those four players give the team a solid base to build around as the original “Core Four” move into the twilight of their careers.

Second, the pitching has generally been solid.  Vasquez looked awful Friday night, but it is way too early to panic about him.  CC, AJ, and Andy looked solid.  The bullpen is deep, and the incredible Mariano can still bring it at age 40.

The hitters have not yet hit their stride, yet the team has pounded out runs.  The offense is demonstrably superior to that of the Red Sox, and the pitching looks considerably better than that of the Rays.  The Yanks remain the team to beat in baseball’s best division.

Concerns.  First, the team has no left fielder.  Brett Gardner lacks the power necessary to play a corner outfield position, and he has yet to demonstrate he is a big league hitter.  Randy Winn and Marcus Thames are journeymen.  The Yankees clearly believe they can win this year with a hole in their line-up.  Hopefully, they can win the Carl Crawford sweepstakes next winter.

Joba looked great in his first outing against Boston, but he looked sluggish today in Tampa.  Maybe the layoff hurt him.  If he can pitch as he did in 2007, the bullpen will be almost impregnable.

Posada looks shakey again behind the plate.  His passed ball cost the Yankees the opener, and his deteriorating defensive skills have to be a concern.  I would not be surprised to see Jesus Montero appear in mid-summer.

Phil Hughes has yet to pitch this year.  We will have to wait until Thursday to see how he does as the fifthe starter.

But these concerns are minor.  The team has started strong, and hope springs eternal.  Thank God baseball is back.

I hope you all noticed  that I have said nothing bad about Girardi.  Yet.

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