It's too bad the Yanks aren't in the AL Central because they would be setting up their playoff rotation right now.

The Bombers improved to 26-8 against the AL's middle division with a 9-3 drubbing of the Tigers on Sunday afternoon.  Johnny Damon showed that he can still contribute, Wilson Betemit continued to drive in runs and the bullpen was lights out again as the Yanks won their third straight and moved to within four games of the Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

Johnny Damon.  It looks like Damon may be the odd man out in the everyday lineup, but he got the start in left field on Sunday and made the most of it.  Damon reached base four times and his upper deck shot in the sixth broke a 3-3 tie.  Right now Damon is like the girl with the curl -- when he's right, he makes an already potent lineup downright deadly.  So far Torre is pushing all the right buttons in regards to the lineup.  Let's see how long it lasts.  Damon finished 3 for 4 with a walk, 2 runs scored and a ribbie.

Wilson Betemit.  Betemit spelled Jeter at short on Sunday afternoon and his day didn't start off too well.  He struck out in his first two at-bats and Jim Leyland intentionally walked Robinson Cano twice to get to Betemit.  It worked the first time, but Betemit ripped an RBI single in the seventh to give the Yanks a 5-3 lead and then slammed a three-run double in the eighth that put the game away.  Now that's what you call perseverance.  Betemit has 12 RBIs in 12 games with the Yanks this season.  Willie finished 2 for 5 with 4 RBI.

Hideki Matsui.  I predicted that Matsui would have a good game on Sunday and I was correct.  Hey, it happens every once and a while.  Godzilla drove in the first three Yankee runs and upped his RBI total to 86 on the year.  He also finished the game with a batting average of .300 on the nose.  Thanks for making me feel like a genius, Hideki.  Matsui finished 1 for 3 with 3 runs batted in.

The Yankee pen.  This was really fun to watch.  The two headed monster of Joba Chamberlain and Edwar Ramirez came in late and put the exclamation point on a terrific weekend in the Bronx with dominating performances.  First up was Chamberlain, who came in for Wang in the seventh, and he retired the Tigers on only nine pitches (8 strikes).  His fastball continues to be overpowering and his slider looks better with every appearance.  Next up was Ramirez and he started out by striking out the first three Tigers he faced.  His changeup was sharp and he looked determined to show the Yanks that they made a mistake in sending him down earlier in the year.  Joba and Edwar's combined totals: 3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 5 K.

The Bad:

Chien-Ming Wang.  Yes, Wang did pick up his 14th win of the season on Sunday, but he continued to struggle.  The Wanger gave up a bunch of line drives and labored through most of the game.  How off was Wang?  He gave up three hits to Mike Rabelo, the Tigers backup catcher.  Wang also seems to be moving away from throwing his sinker.  I'm not sure if it's a residual effect of the cracked nail he suffered earlier in the year or simply a change in philosophy, but it's something that should be addressed.  Why move away from throwing 94 mph sinkers?  I'm not worried about Wang, but I would say that I'm a bit concerned.  Or it could be that I've just become spoiled with Wang's success.  Wang's totals: 6 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 WP, 1 balk.

The Ugly:

There's no crying in baseball.  During the telecast on YES, Yankee broadcaster Michael Kay recounted two stories when current Yankees were reduced to tears due to the pressure of performing on the big league level.  The first was about Derek Jeter and the loneliness and pressure he felt as an overwhelmed 18-year-old kid in his first year in the Yankee system.  The second was about Edwar Ramirez and how he cried after a bad performance earlier in the season and was sent down the following day.  What is this -- The Oprah Winfrey Show?  I sort of understand what Kay was trying to say (sort of) about the demands put on young kids in pro ball, but did he really have to mention that both guys blubbered through their difficult times?  Let them keep their dignity, Michael.

The Yanks will head to the left coast and take on the bane of their existence and Erin's favorite team -- the Angels -- for a three-game set.  The Bombers have lost four of six against the Halo's this season at The Stadium and it won't get any easier in Anaheim.  The Angels own a Major League best 40-17 record at home this year.  Phil Hughes gets the nod for the Yanks and will try and continue his road dominance this season (he's 2-0 with a 0.73 ERA in the Yankee greys).  The Angels will counter with spot starter Dustin Moseley with his 4-2 record and 4.84 ERA.

The Yanks will try and put him in a tough spot on Monday night.

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