Good for Them: Yankees 13, Pirates 6

Okay, now that the exhibition series is over, we can get back to real baseball.

Boy, this series reminded me of the late '90s Yankees - they'd give up ten, but score eleven. They'd score two, but give up only one. And as usual, my paranoia has set in that perhaps Old York is destined to never lose another game in 2007.

But then the rational side takes over and says, you know what? This was not a great series for them. Yes, a win is a win is a win. But then I think about how I asked whether Tyler Clippard was this year's Aaron Small. Well, after a dismal outing, an ERA of 5.32, and 14 walks in 23.2 innings, I think not.

And as Manny mentioned, Pettitte and Clemens were no great shakes, either. So who knows how they'll handle a major league team when they face Arizona on Tuesday.

Obviously they've been much better offensively, especially Bobby Abreu (still only three homers), but this hot streak can't go on forever. Or can it?

I suppose you still have to look at the overall picture. They still trail Boston by a wide margin, and with the Sox taking on the Rockies, there's a chance to pad their lead. Oh well, what else is there to do but pray?

Medicore Clemens, Bats Lift Yanks

You can't get too excited about Clemens' start. 3 runs in 6 innings, and over 100 pitches. I'm surprised he even lasted that long. He got a lot of run support, however, as the Yanks ran all over the Pirates (5 steals for New York), and hit their awful pitching.

And you can't get too excited over the Yanks' performance this weekend. Friday night they won a close game, as the Pirates chased Pettitte. And today's game was a joke, too.

Arizona should be more of test for New York, as should the Mets, although they've struggled lately. But as long as Boston keeps playing well, the Yanks will have to keep winning and winning until Boston slumps.

- Should have the Sunday roundup ready later today.