Doubt. It has to be in the minds of the Yankees fans and players. Just a small, nagging feeling at first. But growing. Just as easily as the Red Sox slipped into their October pants, the Yankees did the same with much different results. C.C. Sabathia was torched for nine runs (five earned) in two-and-two-thirds last night, giving up eight hits and five walks. And for anyone that thinks he was using his final start of the year for a playoff tune-up, think again. With Sabathia entering the game at 19-8 (and why does that number sound familiar?), Girardi put in his regular line-up trying to secure number 20. That line-up includes the other guy known for his October nosedives: A-Rod was 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
Meanwhile, the Sox took care of business behind another solid Dice-K start. The first six batters combined for a 7-for-20 night with three doubles and five RBI. The Dice-man went six innings giving up two runs on five hits while striking out seven. The bullpen combined for three shutout innings. And justlikethat everything is just fine in Red Sox Nation.
No matter what the Yankees say, they can’t be feeling too good about themselves.
Fortunately for the Yankees, it’s not really October, no matter what the calendar says, so they could shrug off CC Sabathia’s ugly finish to his season Friday night as completely insignificant, and they’ll probably be right.
This is what we live for.
