Next, I totally flubbed the prospective lineup in my analysis, forgetting the lefty-righty tendencies. I should have been clued in when my resulting analysis said that Posada would be a terrible in the 6-spot, and was pleased to see the lineup Girardi put out there — I guess there is a reason I watch and he manages.

The Yankees did get lucky in one respect last night — Girardi’s pitcher management was awful and I am surprised I haven’t heard much made of that fact on the morning sports talk radio here in the NY metro area. He left CC in WAY too long. He rightfully went to Rivera early, despite the urge to resist doing so.

With the score tied at 4, and Crain coming into the game, I envisioned extra innings. We stole a game off of perhaps the AL’s best reliever over the last 40+ games. The players who need to play well (A-Rod, Jeter, Tex) did, as well as players who need to step up (Granderson, Gardner). For all of this, I am pleased.

I have much to say about the announcers for the game, but my mother taught me that if you don’t have anything nice to say, type it in a separate post

Also, (and it deserves mentioning) a call went against the Yankees, and when Thome strode to the plate in the 9th as the tying run, my only thought was “Karma is a bitch.” I am very pleased that the Yankees pulled through, that Rivera got the fifth out and no damage was done.

Finally, I believe that the Twins have every reason to be optimistic. They tamed the beast and the pitching gets easier from here on in. Girardi’s stubbornness with respect to CC will mean an easier road for them in Game 4 (I would have taken him out after 73 pitches — it was clear he didn’t have it) and that means that even if the Twins pick up one of the next two, this series is likely going 5 (CC on short rest after 110 laborious pitches << Blackburn on long rest).