But the years went by and the rock just died
Suzie went and left us for some foreign guy
Long nights crying by the record machine
dreaming of my Chevy and my old blue jeans
Standings as of July 25th, 2005 1. Boston 54-44 .551 (10-14 4WK) 2. New York 52-45 .536 1.5 GB (14- 8 4WK) 3. Baltimore 50-47 .515 3.5 GB ( 8-14 4WK) 4. Toronto 49-49 .500 5.0 GB (11-11 4WK) 5. Tampa Bay 35-50 .354 19.5 GB ( 9-14 4WK)Over the past four weeks, the Yankees have gained a great deal of ground against the Red Sox, the Jays less so. Baltimore, on the other hand, has slid badly, while the Devil Rays have only fallen back a 1/2 game on first place Boston, which I guess is a victory of sorts.
July 22 - Toronto trades John McDonald to Detroit for a PTBNL. July 19 - Boston DFAs Alan Embree, trades Scott Cassidy to San Diego for Adam Hyzdu. July 19 - Boston acquires Tony Graffanino from the Royals for OF Chip Ambres and P Juan Cedeno July 16 - Boston signs Gabe Kapler. July 16 - New York acquires Al Leiter from Florida for a PTBNL and cash. July 14 - Boston acquires Chad Bradford from Oakland for Jay Payton. July 12 - Tampa signs Joe Borowski.Nothing too earth shattering here. It will be interesting to see if the Nevin for Ponson trade goes through. Might that start a chain of events that leads to even more trades? Only time will tell.
Al Leiter is 1-1 with a 5.11 ERA in 2 games since rejoining the Yankees. His peripherals look quite good: 10 strikeouts to 5 walks and no homeruns in 12 1/3 innings. His win came in his first Yankee start, giving up only 3 hits and 1 run over 6 1/3 against Boston. He struck out 8, walked 3, and threw 102 pitches.
His second start against the Angels was not nearly as successful: 10 hits and 6 runs over 6 innings against the Angels. He walked 2, struck out 2, and threw 104 pitches.
3 away vs. Tampa (TBD .469 home) 3 home vs. Minnesota (MIN .510 away) 3 home vs. Kansas City (KCR .306 away) 3 away vs. Minnesota (MIN .569 home) 12 games (AVG .464)A fairly light schedule for the Red Sox, though the Twins are also fighting for a playoff spot, so those games should be tough. The Devil Rays are a surprisingly tough home team, with a 23-26 record in Tampa vs. a 12-38 record away. The Royals have a similar split; fortunately for the Sox they play them in Fenway. The 2 off-days the Red Sox get should also help.
3 home vs. Minnesota (MIN .510 away) 3 home vs. Angels (LAA .617 away) 3 away vs. Cleveland (CLE .490 at home) 3 away vs. Toronto (TOR .565 at home) 12 games (AVG .546)There's no gimmes here, as the Yankees play 4 quality teams over the next 2 weeks. The Blue Jays are particularly strong at home, with a 26-20 record at the RC compared to a 23-29 record on the road. Like the Red Sox, the Yankees get 2 off-days.
4 home vs. Texas (TEX .444 away) 4 home vs. Chicago (CHI .689 away) 3 away vs. Angels (LAA .577 at home) 3 away vs. Texas (TEX .538 at home) 14 games (AVG .563)A tough schedule for the Orioles, as half of their games against tough White Sox and Angels teams. Texas doesn't play well outside of Arlington; if the Orioles do not take at least 3 out of 4, they're going to have a very rough go of it. No off days hurts.
3 home vs. Angels (LAA .617 away) 3 home vs. Texas (TEX .444 away) 3 away vs. Chicago (CWS .635 at home) 3 home vs. New York (NYY .469 away) 12 games (AVG .541)A pretty tough schedule for the Jays as well, but not quite up there with Baltimore's. Fortunately for the Bluebirds, the Yankees have been a fairly lousy road team this year, going 23-26. They'll have to hope that holds up. Like Boston and the Yankees, the Jays should be fairly rested.
All and all, this fortnight's schedule seems to favour the Red Sox. That doesn't guarantee that they'll start to pull away from the pack - that's why they play the games!
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