10 straight wins, 2.5 up on Boston to host the wild card game, not to mention 4 back of the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East. The one thing that all the haters feared is happening. They cheered when the Yankees struggled, the cackling from Queens and New England was loud and obnoxious. They blasted the manager and players even when they started winning series, ‘oh it’s the Orioles, its the Royals, no way they do that in Seattle or Houston’. Now that the Yankees are winning, regularly, they, the so called experts and loud mouths are scared shitless!!!

Now, rather than laugh and clap back at the recent Met fans and ‘Diehard’ Red Sox fans who were loudest in May and June, I’d like to highlight why the Yankees have been so successful since the All Star Break.

First, they are taking chances on the bases. When before July did you see the Yankees move guys over, or straight still or hit and run? If you answered ‘rarely,’ you’d be correct. The Yankees running more has opened up a ton of options for them. Guys like Tyler Austin running, or the threat of the steal has made pitchers have to throw strikes. This has allowed guys like Giancarlo Stanton to have quality at bats and see better pitches per at bat, rather to mash and outslug their opponents.

Similarly, guys like Tyler Austin, Brett Gardner, Andrew Velazquez and Kyle Higashoika, guys that shouldn’t be producing, are producing. All that’s needed now is Jonathan Davis to do something productive, and you’d need to check my pulse!

The increased hitting and run production has also led to better pitching. Starters are going longer in games, and relievers are able to be used and mixed and matched from a position of strength as opposed to ‘Damn, we could really use Jonathan Loaisiga to get us out of here, but he’s pitched 3 out of 4 days…..Loaisiga it is!!’

Take Saturday’s game as an example. Gerrit Cole only went 6 innings and threw 96 pitches, he pitched well, but not lights out by any stretch. The difference was he pitched with a lead because he got run support. Only going 6, but leaving with a 6 run lead allows for flexibllility. Instead of Loaisiga, Chad Green and maybe Aroldis Chapman, Aaron Boone had the luxury of using Lucas Luetge for 2 innings and Albert Abreu to close out the game in the 9th.

Their fkexible Saturday turned into a luxurious Monday. Jordan Montgomery went 5 innings, Loaisiga went 2 earning a hold, Wanda Peralta worked the 8th and Chapman worked a perfect 9th. None of this happens if they are playing from behind or in a one run game.

Lastly, credit where credit is due. I have been one of his harshest critics all year, but Aaron Boone is doing a great job managing the team. He’s relaxed and pushing all the right buttons as opposed to overthinking and managing scared and not to lose.

Former New York Jets Coach, Herman Edwards had a famous press conference where he empathically said ‘You play to win the game!’ As a Yankee fan, it’s felt like it took a while, but it seems that Aaron Boone is finally playing to win the game.

Let’s hope it continues. Back tomorrow with Yanks Braves Game 2.