Record Last Week: 3-3 (27 RS, 28 RA)
Season Record: 95-55 (856 RS, 705 RA), 5.0 games up
Opponents This Week: @ Anaheim (3 games), vs. Boston (3 games)

Top stories from last week:

• The week started off with a makeup game against those pesky Angels, but the Yanks turned the tables and beat them at their own game.
• The Jays teed off against Sergio Mitre in the series opener on Tuesday, but the story of the game was the bench clearing brawl. Jorge Posada and Shelley Duncan were each suspended for their roles in the mayhem. Frankie Cervelli powered the team to a walk-off win the next night.
• Ichiro stunned the Yanks and Mariano Rivera by hitting a walk-off bomb to start off their series in Seattle, but thankfully CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira led the team to a blowout rebound win Saturday. Joba Chamberlain finished the series off yesterday by getting bombed again.
• Andy Pettitte experienced some shoulder fatigue, but lucky he’ll make his start tonight. David Robertson is doing well as he rehabs from some elbow trouble.
• Down in the minors, both Short Season Staten Island and High-A Tampa won their respective league titles, although Triple-A Scranton fell short in their bid to repeat as Governor’s Cup Champions. Ian Kennedy, just a few outs month from having surgery to remove and aneurysm, was recalled after the series, as was Juan Miranda.
• We found out that the Yanks will start and end the 2010 season in Fenway Park, and we also got word on ticket prices for next year as well.
• Last, but certainly not least, the blogfather Pete Abraham is moving on to The Boston Globe in a few weeks. I know I’m not alone in wishing him the best. His tireless coverage will be sorely missed.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 5-2 (42 RS, 26 RA)
Season Record: 92-52 (829 RS, 677 RA), 7.0 games up
Opponents This Week: vs. Anaheim (1 game), vs. Toronto (2 games),  @ Seattle (3 games)

Top stories from last week:

• The week started off with a doubleheader against the nosediving Rays, and the Yanks took care of business on Monday – CC Sabathia set the tone in the afternoon game, and the offense did it’s thing against Andy Sonnanstine in the night cap. Nick Swisher kept it going with two homers, including a walk-off job, the next day. Jeter tied Lou Gehrig for the most hits in franchise history in the finale, and a pinch-hit Jorge Posada homer gave the team the four-game sweep.
• Derek Jeter became the franchise’s all-time leader in hits against the Orioles on Friday night, but the bullpen ruined the moment.  One bad inning did the Yanks in on Saturday, but they pounded the O’s bullpen to avoid the sweep.
• In a surprise move, Ian Kennedy was activated from the minor league disabled list and threw two scoreless innings for High-A Tampa.
• David Robertson had some elbow trouble and saw Dr. Andrews, but he’ll miss just two weeks.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 5-2 (42 RS, 38 RA)
Season Record: 87-50 (787 RS, 651 RA), 7.5 games up
Opponents This Week: vs. Tampa Bay (4 games), vs. Baltimore (3 games)

Top stories from last week:

• The month of August came to an almost perfect end, as Andy Pettitte flirted with history in the series opener in Baltimore. AJ Burnett wasn’t at his best the next day, but the offense bailed him out. CC Sabathia closed out the series in style, dominating the Orioles for another sweep.
• The winning continued into Toronto, as Jorge Posada powered the Yanks to their seventh straight win in the series opener. Roy Halladay one hitting them on Friday, but the Yanks rebounded behind Pettitte on Saturday. A bunch of little leaguers got blown out on Sunday.
• Mariano Rivera missed a good chunk of the week with a sore groin, but he’s back and feels good. Alex Rodriguez may not need a second hip surgery after the season at all, which is great news. The Yanks would like to bring Johnny Damon back for another year.
• In the non-news department, don’t expect Derek Jeter to sign a contract extension before his current deal is up. The Yanks did kick the tires on Mike Cameron and Brad Penny, though sometimes the best deals are the ones you don’t make.
• You know things are going really well in Yankeeland when George Steinbrenner offers up just a modest statement, even when he’s being sued.
• Postseason ticket prices and policies were set.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 4-2 (43 RS, 24 RA)
Season Record: 82-48 (739 RS, 613 RA), 6.0 games up
Opponents This Week: @ Baltimore (3 games), @ Toronto (4 games)

Top stories from last week:

• The Yanks looked flat coming off Monday’s off day, however they almost mounded a big late inning comeback until Joe Girardi decided to bunt it away. Andy Pettitte got the team back on track the next day, but three batters doomed AJ Burnett before Phil Coke put the game out of the reach on Thursday. It was the Yanks first series loss at home since that Nationals series way back when.
• The sub-.500 White Sox came to the rainy Bronx next, and Robbie Cano started the series off with a walk-off homer after CC Sabathia’s sterling effort. Sergio Mitre (yes, Sergio Mitre) was the hero in Saturday’s win, then the bullpen did it’s thing in relief of Joba for the sweep on Sunday.
• Ian Kennedy’s comeback from an aneurysm continues to go well, but Jorge Posada’s non-throwing hand got dinged up a little. Pitching prospect Dellin Betances went down with Tommy John surgery, but at least Damaso Marte has looked strong in his return from a bum shoulder. Oh, and Joba Rules were revised yet again.
• Two of the Yankees main rivals added significant pieces during the week, as the Red Sox hauled in Billy Wagner while the Angels imported Scott Kazmir. The Bombers didn’t just sit on their hands though, they screwed around with Boston by claiming a few of their players on waivers and expressing interest in Brad Penny for the fifth starter’s spot. Andy Pettitte even hinted that he’d like to return next year.
• George Steinbrenner is being sued over the idea for the YES Network. An old boss of mine used to say that if you’re not being sued, then no one’s noticing what you’re doing.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 4-2 (39 RS, 36 RA)
Season Record: 78-46 (696 RS, 589 RA), 7.5 games up
Opponents This Week: vs. Texas (3 games), vs. White Sox (3 games)

Top stories from last week:

• After a pretty demoralizing loss in Seattle on Sunday, the Yanks proceeded to get blanked by ex-mate Brett Tomko on Monday. Thankfully CC Sabathia restored order to the universe and led the club to a win the next day, and Mark Teixeira almost singlehandedly gave the Yanks the series win on Wednesday.
• After an off-day, Hideki Matsui started the Fenway series in style, chipping in two homers in a 20-run outburst. The Red Sox turned the tables the next day, bludgeoning AJ Burnett for the third time in Boston this year. The Bombers stayed true to their name last night, homering their way to their sixth win against the Sox in their last seven contests. It was glorious.
• Brett Gardner’s return from a finger injury will take a little longer than expected, probably into September. Ian Kennedy won’t get into a game before the regular season ends as he recovers from an aneurysm, but he will play in the Arizona Fall League. Damaso Marte finally made his return for a bum shoulder, and the team will go with a 13-man pitching staff until Sept. callups. We also finally got definitive word on The Joba Plan.
• The Yankees reached agreements with first round pick Slade Heathcott for $2.2M and second rounder JR Murphy for $1.25M before Monday’s midnight signing deadline. They also signed fifth rounder Caleb Cotham and 16th rounder Bryan Mitchell to six-figure, above slot deals. The Chad Gaudin trade was completed when the Yanks sent San Diego $100,000.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 5-2 (38 RS, 28 RA)
Season Record: 74-44 (657 RS, 553 RA), 7.5 games up
Opponents This Week: @ Oakland (3 games), @ Boston (3 games)

Top stories from last week:

• The high of sweeping the hated Red Sox left the team feeling a little hungover on Monday, and the Jays grabbed game one of the three-game series. Back to back homers by Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada helped the Yanks to a win the next day, and then Robbie Cano walked off with a series victory on Wednesday.
• Following a cross-country flight to Seattle, the Yanks looked as fresh as ever when they pounded the Mariners to start their series. MVP candidate Mark Teixeira hit a late homerun to give the team another win the next day, and a few lucky breaks on Saturday helped the team to its third straight win. Unfortunately the Yanks couldn’t finish off the sweep yesterday and lost for just the seventh time in the second half.
• On the roster move front, Damaso Marte was excused from the team for “personal reasons,” and will be out indefinitely. Ian Kennedy’s rehab continues to go well in Tampa, and fan favorite Cody Ransom returned to the team on a minor league deal after being designated for assignment. Joba Chamberlain will enjoy a nice big eight day layoff between starts to control his innings.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Record Last Week: 6-0 (38 RS, 15 RA)
Season Record: 69-42 (619 RS, 525 RA), 6.5 games up
Opponents This Week: vs Toronto (3 games), @ Seattle (4 games)

Top stories from last week:

• After getting their butts beat in the first three games against the White Sox before rebounding on Sunday, the Yanks came out of Monday’s off day starting a matchup with Roy Halladay in the face. Andy Pettitte held the fort down before some late inning homers sealed the win, then the lineup picked up the disappointing Sergio Mitre for a quick series sweep.
• Heading into the four game set with a 2.5 game lead, all the Yanks had to do was beat the Red Sox once to remain in first place at the end of the weekend. Yankee pitchers walked way too many on Thursday, but the offense picked them up and team walked away with their first win against the Beantowners this year. The game also set a New Stadium attendance record. The pitching staff straightened themselves out the next day, but we waited 15-innings before Alex Rodriguez ended the game with a walk-off two run homer. It was fitting considering all the talk about his homerless drought. With a series split already in the bag, CC Sabathia got greedy and shut down the Sawx for another shutout win on Saturday. But the best was saved for last, when Johnny Damon & Mark Teixeira went back-to-back in the 8th to crush the hearts of everyone in teh nation.
• The Yankees did make a few minors moves during the week. Chad Gaudin was acquired from the Padres for a PTBNL, while Robbie Cano and three bullpen pieces cleared waivers. Ramiro Pena was called up to replace the DFA’d Cody Ransom, while Josh Towers was recalled for bullpen insurance on Saturday and then DFA’d the next day. Ian Kennedy’s rehab continues to … uh … continue. Oh, and first rounder Slade Heathcott wants $2M with the signing deadline a week away.
• And finally, the Old Stadium continues to come down. Sad.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.