For the last few days, people have tried to shoot holes in the Yankees acquisition of Michael Pineda. Some will argue that Pineda, a pitcher who collected 34 percent of his outs via the flyout, will suffer going from spacious Safeco Field to the banbox in Yankee Stadium. Others will argue that Pineda’s second half ERA (5.12) proves he can’t handle a full workload. Instead, critics fail to address Pineda’s lefty-righty splits. Before unpacking the numbers and presenting my argument, Pineda, a fastball-slider pitcher, must develop a reliable third pitch to justify his value and more importantly–solidify his slot behind CC Sabathia. 

Pineda Needs A Third--AP Photo

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He’s baaaack. Ok, he never really left.

CC Sabathia and the Yankees agreed to a contract extension tonight, hours before the burly lefty had declare whether he was opting out of his contract. I won’t get into the details, but the Yankees basically tacked on an addition year with a team option for another in 2017. He’s making Cliff Lee money (5-year, $122 million) and he’s staying in NY. That’s all we really care about.

The Yankees re-signed CC and picked up Swisher’s and Cano’s options this weekend. Cano’s $14 million option was more of a formality, but Swisher’s $10.25 million option was debatable. Swisher stinks in the playoffs, but he’s a good guy to have around (and he’s a World Champion). The Yankees must think he’ll outproduce that contract next year.

Overall, it was a good day for the Yanks. They don’t have to worry about any media backlash, the Phillies can’t try to get cute with CC, and the Yankee rotation will not be led by Bartolo Colon next season.

It’s no secret that CC Sabathia can (and will) opt out of his Yankee contract in nine days. The burly lefty, who could be entering the fourth year of his, seven-year, $161 million deal, has been the definition of consistent. Since 2007, Sabathia has won at least 17 games, struck out 197 batters, and had an ERA under 3.37 in each of those five seasons. Sabathia recently turned 31 years old and is one of the game’s durable, left-handed aces. However, Sabathia had issues with his weight during the second half of the season and was ineffective during the playoffs. With that being said, is there any way that the Yankees could let Sabathia walk once he opts out?

Jigga W/ CC--AP Photo

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In the match-up of aces, only one truly stood out. And he’s your 2011 Cy Young Award winner.

Bottom line, Justin Verlander is good at throwing the baseball. The Tigers’s ace struck out eleven Yankees over eight innings to earn his first win of the post-season. His counterpart, CC Sabathia, struggled through 5.1, walking six. Both Verlander and CC allowed four runs,but Delmon Young’s seventh inning home run off Rafael Soriano put the Tigers ahead for good. Jose Valverde came on to record his second save of the series as the Tigers won, 5-4.

We Are Gonna Get To This Clown--AP Photo

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The Yankees put on their ‘Clinch Day’ caps early this afternoon with a 4-2 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees followed up that 4-2 victory with another 4-2 victory in the night cap of the double header. Robinson Cano had a big two-run double in the first game and Jorge Posada had a clutch RBI single in the night cap. With the wins, the Yankees are officially your 2011 American League Champions. More importantly, the Yankees magic number for home field advantage is 3 with seven games to go!

Those are some UGLY hats...-AP Photo

Game Notes:

Game 1

-Big props to the Yankee bullpen for this one. Phil Hughes was a late scratch with a tight back. Joe Girardi was forced to scramble to put together a piecework stream of relievers. Well, Joe pushed the right buttons as the Yankee relievers only allowed two runs to a desperate Tampa Bay team. Mo came in in the ninth to lock down his 45th save and a Yankee playoff berth. 

-Major props to Eduardo Nunez. With the Yankees trailing James Shields and the Rays 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth, Nunie crushed a deep home run knotting the game up. Five hitters later, Robinson Cano blasted a two-run double off the center field wall. Clutch hitting baby. It’ll win us games in October.

Game 2

Big C got the start in Game 2. Sabathia hasn’t been great since his rain delayed start against the Seattle Mariners when he flirted with a perfect game. Nonetheless, the big man came out and threw 7.1 innings of two-run ball. He didn’t get his elusive 20th win and wasn’t exactly dominant, but gave the Yanks a good start. I’m not crazy with him throwing 130 pitches a week before the playoffs start, but I guess that’s baseball, Suzyn.

Jorge Posada had the big knock in this one. With the bases load, Jorgie stepped to the dish with the bases loaded and delivered an RBI single to right field in the eighth inning. Jorge’s hit was the game winner for the Bombers.

What’s Next?: The Yanks will go for the four-game sweep tomorrow against the Rays. The Rays are still only two games behind the Red Sox in the AL Wildcard race. Boston has been stinking up the joint against the O’s this week so these games matter. Let’s just sweep away the Rays and keep getting fat off our wins. 

Thursday, 7:05PM: Jeff Niemann (11-7, 3.95 ERA) vs. Bartolo Colon (8-9, 3.81 ERA)

The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the New York Yankees tonight by a final score of 5-4. It seems like the Yankees have made a bad habit of losing one run games late recently, so hopefully this slide will end in late September, when the Yankees will be preparing for a late-season run at the World Series while the Mets are making tee times in St. Petersburg.

I agree, Derek - AP

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Coco Crisp went 4 for 4 with two runs as the A’s edged the Yanks, 6-4 in ten innings. CC Sabathia gave way to a game tying single in the eighth before Rafael Soriano gave up a three-run bomb in the tenth to effectively end the game. Nick Swisher homered twice and Teix added a message of his own, but it wasn’t enough as the A’s have won this series against the Yanks.

Outside of Crisp’s RBI single in the eighth, Sabathia was effective tonight. He struck out seven over seven innings and walked one. It’s tough to see the Big Man blow a two-run lead in the eighth, but that’s baseball, Suzyn. 

The Yankees will try to avoid the three-game home sweep tomorrow afternoon. Daytime special, folks!

Thursday, 1:05PM: Rich Harden (3-0, 3.91 ERA) vs. Phil Hughes (4-4, 5.74 ERA)

After two winless starts, CC Sabathia was able to get back to his winning ways on Thursday night. Sabathia struck out nine over seven innings to pace the Bombers to a 8-4 victory. The offensive power was supplied by Teix, Swishy, and Andruw as each player clubbed a home run. The Red Sox won tonight, so the Yankees only remain a half game ahead in the AL East race.

At least they got this one right

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The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees tonight by a score of 5-1. In what could have been an epic pitching duel between David Price and CC Sabathia, it was only Price that showed up ready to go. With the loss, the Yankees fall to 71-46 on the season.

A-Rod Went 2-3 with a HR in a Class-A Rehab Assignment - AP

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The Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees this afternoon by a final score of 10-4. With the loss, the Yankees lose sole-possession of first place in the American League East. The Yankees and Red Sox now have identical 69-43 records.

Aiming at Pesky Pole - Elsa, Getty Images

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