Does anyone remember the 80's NFL films montage of John Riggins? Included in the footage is that huge 'skins fan who has been around for 25 years and wears the Chief Wahoo headdress...Ring a bell? Between cuts of Riggins running over people is this guy in his headdress, yelling "CRANK UP THE DIESEL!!"

That's exactly how I felt watching the Yankees last night. It's as if the trade deadline was the crest of a brutal hill that required maximum effort. After reaching the summit intact, the team seems to be slowly, inexorably gaining speed.

We all knew what they were capable of before the last Boston series. Similarly, we all know what they are capable of during the next 6 weeks.

As for Tampa Bay, their strategy seems to be: Carl Crawford is good. Let's develop as many Carl Crawford clones (Upton, Young) as possible. Not a bad idea. If this were the run-happy late 80's they would be breaking records for stolen bases as a team.

Alas, conventional wisdom has Lidle on the outside looking in to the playoff pitching picture after his poor performance last evening, i.e, 4 ER on 9 hits.

Robinson Cano was last night's offensive star, breaking out with 5 RBIs, including his 10th jack.

"Out of the blue, and into the black"...Alex Rodriguez, that is. When that ball left his bat I was a little scared as to where it might actually land. That's the reigning MVP asserting himself.

One more with TB. Then the possibility to close out the division against the once fearsome Red Sox.