So It Begins

What's interesting about this week's three-game set between the Yankees and Red Sox, in New York, is that it will have little-to-no impact on the AL East race, even if New York wins all three. The Red Sox are eight games up at this point and even though it would give the Yankees an emotional lift if they can reduce the lead to five games, that would still be a big lead to overcome considering there will be only be 28 games left in the season. For the record, it's Dice-K against Pettitte tonight, Beckett vs. Clemens in game two, and Schilling against Wang in game three- a trio of good match-ups.

What really adds a curious wrinkle to all this (and those who know me know I love curious wrinkles) is that Seattle is clinging to a two-game lead in the Wild Card over New York and has a three-game lead over Detroit right now. Seattle has two more against the Angels before going to Cleveland for three, Toronto for three and then New York for three. That September 3-5 series could be huge.

Detroit, fresh off taking three of four from the Yanks at home, has a somewhat easy schedule the next few weeks. They have three in Kansas City, three in Oakland, then three at home against the White Sox before hosting Seattle for three September 7-9. It's the last time the Tigers and Mariners meet up in 2007, and for that matter, it's the last time Seattle, New York, and Detroit play one another at all. The Yanks still have another three games, in Boston, September 14-16 before finishing out their season with Toronto, Tampa Bay and Baltimore.

It's hard to say who has the upper hand right now because even though Seattle has the lead, they've lost three straight and are at a really tough part of their schedule. The Yankees end up with a cakewalk, but have to survive a few tough match-ups themselves to get there. That's why I wouldn't be surprised if Detroit ends up leapfrogging everybody into October.