Yankees lose control of destiny with ugly loss

Even though the New York Yankees gave AJ Burnett four runs early, it wasn't enough to get a win and keep the Yankees firmly in control of their destiny.

Burnett's numbers were fine last night, but he made the kind of boneheaded play that will definitely keep him out of the postseason rotation for the division series and perhaps off the postseason roster. He let a run score because he was incredulous about a safe call at first base, reminiscent of the infamous David Cone play in Atlanta when the then-Mets pitcher allowed two runs to score because he was arguing a call. It's this loss of composure that makes Burnett untrustworthy for a team that will have a tough time in the playoffs regardless of its opponent.

But the erratic righty wasn't alone in blowing the nightcap, with errors by Lance Berkman and Francisco Cervelli contributing to the Red Sox scoring. Plus, the Yankees offense was terrible with runners on base in both games of the doubleheader, not exactly inspiring for postseason play. You knew the Yankees were in deep trouble when Ivan Nova kept coming out to start innings, even though he was struggling badly. But I can't blame Joe Girardi for that one because he used all his best guys to make sure the Yankees won the first game after Andy Pettitte lasted only four innings.

So the Yankees hopes for an American League East title rest on Dustin Moseley's shoulders and the Kansas City Royals gearing up for one more game as a spoiler against the Tampa Bay Rays. Can't say I like the Yankees chances today, but stranger things have happened in baseball.

Up to Hughes to save Yankees season

Given the way the New York Yankees have struggled the last four games, it's not overstating it to say that they are turning to Phil Hughes to save their season.

And why not? If a baseball team is going to go down, wouldn't they want to go down knowing that at least they lost with their best guys on the field? I would take more comfort in Hughes getting beat by the Boston Red Sox tonight than Dustin Moseley getting beat.

I'm glad Joe Girardi & Co are finally showing some urgency, some fight, even a little desperation. They have acted for too long like the playoffs are firmly within their grasp, but they have not played like it at all and let their postseason berth slip through their fingers.

If the Yankees can win tonight, they can creep closer to the Tampa Bay Rays and essentially be even heading into the last week of the regular season. Even though the Rays have an easier schedule, the Yankees have a chance to seize not only a postseason berth, but home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. But they must turn it on for the last week and that begins by putting their best guys on the field, starting tonight with their 17-game winner Hughes. The Yankees need their talented youngster to step up and save his team.

AJ Burnett holds on to his starting job for now

AJ Burnett pitched just well enough to keep his spot in the New York Yankees rotation. For now.

If Burnett didn’t have a solid start yesterday, it would have been him being replaced in the rotation by Javier Vazquez instead of Dustin Moseley. But in giving up three runs in six innings and striking out eight batters with his wicked stuff, AJ’s outing was sufficient to get another start in five days.

But Burnett is not out of the woods yet. He has to continue to show progress in the one or two starts he has between now and mid-September when Andy Pettitte hopefully comes off the disabled list. It's possible that the Yankees might choose to sit Phil Hughes for a start when Pettitte comes back because of the innings limit. But I think it's more likely that Pettitte would replace Burnett in the rotation if AJ is still struggling. The Yankees can't keep sending Burnett to the mound when they have 10 games in 13 days against the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox that will likely decide the American League East.

If Burnett wants to keep his job, he's going to have to step it up in September against some pretty tough competition. Let’s see if he is up to the challenge.

Quick Pettitte return would boost Yankees

If Andy Pettitte can return to the rotation in two weeks, that would provide a major lift that could carry the New York Yankees right into the playoffs.

It may be an optimistic scenario, given that he has spent more than a month on the disabled list and already had one setback. But Pettitte himself was encouraged by the lack of pain during his bullpen session Sunday. Perhaps more importantly, Joe Girardi seems convinced that Pettitte was telling him the truth when he reported no ill effects from the session.

Although the Yankees have gotten solid starts from Dustin Moseley and Ivan Nova, they'd much rather have Pettitte, even at less than 100%, starting big games against the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox in late September. If Pettitte can avoid reinjuring himself during his two weeks of rehab, he would quickly reenter the rotation, which would boost the Yankees’ postseason hopes. Pettitte at less than full strength is still a better option in an important game than an erratic AJ Burnett, unreliable Javier Vazquez or one of the youngsters that have no big-game experience.

We’ll keep our fingers crossed that Pettitte continues to feel good and can help his team secure a spot for October baseball.