Game 48: White Sox (Flexen) at Yankees (Rodon) 1:35 pm EDT

3rd star of the game: Trevino for the clutch 2 run single that tied the game in the 2nd, and also for the usual great receiving and pitch-calling, and for getting Rodon out of his 2nd inning jam by picking off a sleepwalking Remillard after not getting the call on the check swing on the 1-2 slider inside to Maldonado.

2nd star: Berti for the shocking 3-run HR into the 1st row of the bleachers in right that gave the Yanks the 5-2 lead that they never relinquished.

1st star: Rodon who, and I keep repeating myself, shows signs of mastering the Saving stuff for a pinch approach that Cole got from Verlander and has passed on to Rodon. He pitched out of a 2nd jam by humping up to 98 after sitting 94-5 with a couple of key strikeouts on the big fastballs, and then capped it off as Cole does, emptying the tank in what he knows is his last inning of the day. The only step left is to prove he can do this to elite lineups like the O's when he needs to. Excellent start by Rodon, his 3rd in a row.

Well, in the middle of the 2nd quarter maybe, but if it's still 20 points with 3 minutes left, then it's over.

Seattle comes in starting tomorrow for a long 4-game series. Despite losing 2 of 3 to the O's, they'll still be in first out West, even if the Rangers rally to beat the Angels (Angels are up 3-1 in the 7th in Arlington). Mariners have a strong starting rotation, but a weak lineup. They're 12th in the AL though yesterday at 3.378 runs a a game.

Game 1 is Monday at 7:07 on YES; Logan Gilbert 3-2, 3.07 ERA vs. Marcus Stroman, 3-2 with a 3.32 ERA
Game 2 in Tuesday at 7:07 on YES; Bryan Woo, making just his 3rd start this year, he's 1-0 with an 0.93 ERA in his first 2 starts for the M's vs. Clarke Schmidt, looking for his 3rd dominant start in a row. He's 5-1 with a 2.49 ERA good for 9th in the AL coming into today's games.
Game 3 is Wednesday at 7:07, unfortunately the Prime Delayed Video Shame of the Week. Bryse Miller 3-4 with a 3.08 ERA for Seattle, Nestor Cortes, looking to extend his brilliant home game pitching this year, goes for the Yanks. He's 2-4 with a 3.56 ERA so far this year.
Game 4 is an usually early 12:37 matinee, back on YES: M's send their notional ace, Luis Castillo (who almost always pitches great against the Yanks) pitches for the M's. He's 4-5 with a 3.28 ERA in 10 starts so far this season. Yanks send Luis Gil, who's been great his last 5 starts, and was ace-line yesterday against the White Sox. He's now 5-1 with a 2.39 ERA on the season, good for 8th in the AL in ERA before today's games.

And with the series preview done, I go to check notifications.

Paulie was wrong about one thing; not all of Moose's title rings came with the Yanks. The year after they let him go, trading him to the Dodgers for pitcher Stan Williams, he came back to haunt them in the 1963 World Series. The Dodgers' pitching dominated anyway, especially Koufax with his 14-K game in game 1 and another complete game  in game 4 to finish the sweep, allowing the Yanks just 4 runs in the series. But Skowron delivered two RBI singles early in game one, helping Koufax to a decent lead, he was never challenged. And then he hit a solo HR in game 2 to help the Dodgers win 4-1. So the last of his 5 rings came against the Yanks in 1963.

Kni down by 15 at the half, 70-55. Pacers shot a ridiculous 76% in the first half. Normally, the home team would say, well they can't come close to that again if we up the defensive intensity, but the Kni have no up gear left to go to, not enough energy, not enough players left to get it done. I mean, it's always possible; what is done in the first half can be undone in the second, but I don't see how they pull this one off without Robinson, without Anunoby, with a physically sub-par Hart and Brunson getting doubled and tripled every possession.

IN KAYBLI'S ABSENCE THE YANKEES KEEP IT GOING!!!! BERTI & JUDGE GO DEEP!!!! RODON WITH MINIMAL DAMAGE!!!! YANKEES WIN!!!!!!

Looks like WE are going to the WS. Sadly I do not think I will be there. Having many more bad days then good days now. Doctors say in the near future some of my bones will start cracking = I thought he said to start doing crack. Today is one day I can use my fingers, so I am. Proud of the Yanks play. Really tired so going for a rest. My best to all of you. Go Yankees!!!