It’s hard not to get excited about the 2012 New York Yankees.

Outside of Jorge Posada, the Yankees return every offensive starter from last year’s team that led the American League in home runs. Add in a revamped, younger pitching rotation and bullpen, and the optimism is running high. Through their first two Spring Training games, Curtis Granderson and Alex Rodriguez have come out swinging the bat well. Granderson homered off of Cole Hamels on Sunday and A-Rod hit an A-Bomb against Roy Halladay. Granted, these statistics are meaningless, but it’s reassuring to see Grandy picking up where he left off and A-Rod swinging the bat with some authority.

AP Photo

The Yankees have had their share of defensive mistakes. Eduardo Nunez has already committed multiple errors and Freddy Garcia got a bit roughed up, but everyone is working through the off-season kinks.

After a great debut from Michael Pineda, let’s just prepare (and hope for) a long, enjoyable regular season that culminates in putting up Banner #28.

Teddy Roosevelt once said, ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick’. I can’t think of a better phrase to describe the Yankee center fielder.

Good Job By Grandy--AP Photo

Known for his great play and calm demeanor, the Grandy Man crushed 41 home runs and drove in 119 runs during the regular season. Despite his excellent regular season accomplishments, Grandy’s biggest play of the season came during the ‘loudest’ time of the year. With bases loaded and two outs in the first inning last night, Grandy made a leaping, uber-athletic play on Don Kelly’screaming line drive. If Granderson doesn’t come down with that ball, the Yankees fall into a 3-0 hole, AJ Burnett’s Yankee career is effectively over, and the fan base kills the manager. Say whatever you want about the offense, pitching, whatever. But if Grandy doesn’t catch that ball, we would all be mourning the 2011 Yankees right now.

Big time players make big time plays. In this instance, the mild-mannered Grandy Man let his glove do the talking.

Game 5. Come Get Some!

TBS’ Brian Anderson put it best: “You have got to tip your cap to AJ Burnett”. Allan James Burnett – scapegoat, head case, and an afterthought – came through with an undeniably clutch start to lead the New York Yankees in a 7-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers. With the victory, the Yankees and Tigers are now tied at 2-2 a piece in the best of five series, with the winner advancing to the ALCS to square off the Texas Rangers.

AJ is now AJ - AP

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The Detroit defeated the New York Yankees 5-3 in Game #2 of the American League Divisional Series this afternoon. Miguel Cabrera provided the bulk of the offense for the Tigers with 3 RBI, and the Yankees had no answer for Max Scherzer, who allowed no runs in six innings. With the loss, the series is tied at one apiece as both teams head to Detroit for two games.

One of Those Days - Chris Trotman, Getty Images

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Ivan Nova continues to prove why he’ll take the ball in Game 2 of the ALDS. Tonight, Nova threw eight shutout innings against a desperate Tampa Bay who is clawing to get into the post-season propelling the Yanks to a 5-0 win. Nova scattered six hits en-route to nailing down his 16th win of the season. His season kind of reminds me of Phil Hughes last year, right? Curtis Granderson struck the big blow in the second inning with a three run double. He now has 119 RBIs on the season, tops in the AL. 

A Helluva Start

The Red Sox lost tonight (Yay) so the Yankees magic number falls to three. The Yankees magic number to clinch home field advantage is five, so expect a lot of clinching to happen this weekend against the Red Sox. It may even happen tomorrow night!

What’s Next?: How about two games tomorrow?! The Yankees will play Game 1 at 1:05 and Game 2 at 7:05. Time for Big C to get that elusive 20th win!

Game 1: James Shields (15-11, 2.78 ERA) vs. Phil Hughes (5-5, 6.60 ERA)

Game 2: Jeremy Hellickson (13-10, 2.91 ERA) vs. CC Sabathia (19-8, 3.01 ERA)

Mariano Rivera broke Trevor Hoffman’s all-time save record this afternoon. Is it a big deal to me? No, not really. I know, you know, and everyone else knows that Mariano is the best ever.

Congrats!!!---AP Photo

He just lays claim to another record to his ever growing list of accomplishments. Rivera’s 602rd career save solidified the Yankees 92nd win of the year. With the win and the Red Sox loss, the Yankees sit six games ahead of Boston in the loss column with ten games to go. After the jump, I will berate, A-Joke Burnett.

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Mariano Rivera saved his 601st career game today, tying Trevor Hoffman’s all-time save record. Rivera tossed a perfect ninth inning to preserve a 7-6 victory. Curtis Granderson blasted his 40th homer as  the Yankees record improved to 91-59 on the season. They sport an ML best, 40-11 record in day games. 

#42 Saves His 42nd Game

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The New York Yankees defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this afternoon by a score of 6-5. The Yankees snapped a four-game losing streak as Mariano Rivera saved his 599^th career game on the tenth anniversary of 9/11. With the victory, the Yankees move to 88-57 on the season.

Never Forget - AP

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The New York Yankees defeated the Minnesota Twins tonight by a final score of 3-0. Ivan Nova dominated the Twins and picked up his ninth win in ten attempts. Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira picked up home runs as the Yankees picked up another W and are now 77-48 on the season.

Word. - Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

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