Anyone still think the Yankees are the team to beat this year? The offense is strong, but A-Rod is currently on the DL. The rotation is the huge weak point right now. After Sabathia, Phil Hughes has an innings issue, AJ Burnett has been scuffling, and Javier Vazquez has been removed from the rotation. Newcomer Ivan Nova has been impressive in two starts so far, but do you really want him starting in the playoffs? Dustin Moseley is getting hammered tonight by a poor hitting Oakland team. Andy Pettitte just had a good bullpen session, but again, are you comfortable relying on him in the postseason?
Meanwhile, the Rays just signed Brad Hawpe to bolster their offense. Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis are back from the DL, and James Shields is surging. Price, Niemann, Garza, and Shields is a pretty tough postseason rotation, and who wants to face Wade Davis and Jeremy Hellickson as bridges to Rafael Soriano? I sure don't.
Plus, the Twins have acquired Brian Fuentes for their bullpen. They're clearly behind the Yankees and Rays, but Rauch, Fuentes, and Capps can be used situationally to lock down the end of games.
