Yankees will find out only now what they are made of

What Goes Up…

It was easy to overlook the warts, partially because there were so few of them. Bird has been grounded this entire season but few worry about him. But Carter has played like Carter and that is a problem. CC has been a gas can for his last three starts and is only still in the rotation because of 2009. He should at least have to skip a start.

But that’s been about it. When back-ups such as Torreyes and Romine play like All-stars and once-upon-a-timers (Headley) do the same, playing is easy and the wins pile up.

That all changed three games ago. The Yankees have lost the last three, which in itself is no big deal. But it is their first losing streak since the first week of the season and their response to it will shape the remainder.

You see, you cannot judge a team after a winning streak. Those are bright shining flares that shoot off for all of MLB to see. But a baseball season is long and success is fleeting; it’s a series of winning and losing streaks. So while the winning streaks draw all the attention, it’s the length and reasons for the losing that really determine the season. And show how much determination the players have.