It's a shame it doesn't matter anymore because it looks like this team is finally hitting its stride.

Carl Pavano went five serviceable innings, Brett Gardner drove in a run and made two sparkling defensive plays and the bullpen's fist of doom -- Phil Coke, Brian Bruney, Damaso Marte, Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera -- closed things out as the Yanks edged the Orioles 3-2 at The Stadium.  Baltimore took a 2-0 lead after two, but Robinson Cano ripped his 14th homer of the year to lead off the third and Gardner followed with with an RBI-double.  Johnny Damon scored the go-ahead (and eventual winning) run on a wild pitch in the fifth.

The bullpen put the game on ice, but Gardner contributed to the victory with his arm and glove.  Gardner gunned out Nick Markakis at the plate in the first and robbed Luke Scott of a home run with a dazzling grab in the fourth.  I don't know if the Yanks have their center fielder for next season on the roster, but Gardner is doing his best to be noticed.  This may be the offseason where the Yanks finally say goodbye to Melky Cabrera.    

This new and improved squad has won six of seven, but their "tragic number" for elimination stands at two for the wild card hunt.  The Yankees number to be eliminated from the AL East race is one.  That means the Yanks could be officially "out of it" by the time you hit the pillow Saturday night.  Thanks to Dan Graziano for doing the math.  Numbers and I don't get along.

The middle game will be the Yankees final Saturday afternoon affair at The Stadium.  Brian Burres (7-9, 6.32 ERA) will go against Alfredo Aceves (1-0, 1.80 ERA).  Burres has split time as a starter and reliever this season (21 starts, 7 relief appearances) and hasn't excelled at either.  The lefty has pitched only four innings in September and is 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA in those games.  Burres has made four appearances against the Yanks this season (three starts, one relief) and is 1-0 with a 6.38 ERA.  Aceves has looked great in his two starts this season (1-0, 2.08 ERA) and could creep into a role next year with a strong finish.

Maybe the Yanks are looking to do the same.
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