Seeing Other Games: Day 1

Since the Mets have felt the need to do their best Miggs impression every other game this season, I'm going on a Met hiatus for the next week and will be profiling a different game every night and giving my thoughts on each game. I'll begin with last night's game between the surprisingly 2nd and 3rd place Red Sox and Yankees.

- Despite the slumps and injuries, I still the Yankees made the right decision holding on to their young guns and I say that not just because the Mets were able to land Santana. Yankee brass, well the Steinbrenners anyway, have forgotten what built the winners of the late '90s, young talent growing and the right mixture of veterans to fit the pieces. I still believe to this day that the best thing that ever happened to the franchise was Steinbrenner getting banned for 2 years and allowing guys like Bob Watson and Gene Michael to build up the farm system with capable players like Jeter, Rivera, Posada and Williams. Had George been in charge the entire time, he would've traded Jeter and Rivera for Bob Tewkesbury.

- On that note, even though he was mired in a 1-for-19 slump coming into the game, I still believe Melky Cabrera is the future of the Yankees offensively. He is a great contact hitter who needs a little fine tuning with his plate discipline. While he may never been a real power threat, he doesn't need to be with that kind of offense, his main job will be getting on base and setting up the run producers, and he and Robinson Cano (highly underrated) are perfect fot the job. Not to mention, watching him, Jacoby Ellsbury, B.J. Upton and Grady Sizemore compete for Gold Gloves for the next decade will be entertaining

- Jon Lester is becoming a legitimate top of the rotation pitcher. He may not have the most overpowering stuff, but he has a very deceptive slider and a cutter allowing him to go to the slider to give him 8-10 strikeouts, the way he's able to mix his pitches together and with his command, reminds you of Tom Glavine of the last few years, except, you know, Lester actually got it done when it mattered. No I'm not bitter about Game 162 at all. There has also been a change in his demeanor on the mound since his return last season from lymphoma and it was very evident in his complete game last night. Lester will always have a high pitch count with shorter work and he can be a WHIP killer in fantasy, he appears more confident with himself on the mound, something that first became evident during his relief stint in Game 4 of the ALCS last year and culminating with his World Series clincher in Colorado. Much like Mike Pelfrey, he now looks like he knows that he's capable of being good on a profesisonal level and that he belongs here, which can make all the difference in whether a young pitcher makes it or not.

- I conclude with a . Jim Gray-esque moment with Joe Girardi in the post-game press conference. Unfortunately, it's not the entire exchange, but enough to give you the idea that Girardi was ready to lay a wuppin to the little weasel. Idiot.