APRIL REPORT: 16-10

With the injuries to Jeter, Teixeira, Granderson, and A-Rod (to name a few), the Yankees have done a tremendous and admirable job battling through adversity. With a lineup of Lyle Overbay and Brennan Boesch, the Bombers looked weak. Luckily, to our surprise, players have stepped up, as the rotation continues its dominance and the lineup hits safely consistently. With many of the Yanks' superstars returning by mid-May, it's important to give credit where credit is due. Here's a quick rundown of April.

TOP PERFORMER: Travis Hafner

In a million years, I would have never expected a player signed by the Yanks with a veteran salary to contribute so much to a ball club. Pronk is tied for third in homers (6), along with a batting average of .318 with 17 RBI. The man's a fan favorite so far, but we must be practical; the guy is injury prone, even if he is only swinging a bat and running bases. Hey Cashman? Great Success!

WORST PERFORMER: Phil Hughes

This guy simply can't catch a break. Hughes is only 0-2, but has a 4.67 ERA in five starts, and loves to give up the long ball (Hughes gave up 3 home runs to Orioles batters on 4/13). It's early, I know. He's returning from a back injury, yada-yada-yada I've heard it all. Long story short, there never comes a time, even against the worst team in the league, that I feel comfortable with Hughes on the rubber. Don't judge, I know that I'm right on this one. 

DID MO EVER LEAVE?

Rivera is back to his normal ways; he has ten saves this month with an ERA under one. Mo set a personal best record for the most saves in the first month of this season. No one wants to recollect Rivera falling on the warning track in Kansas City, but this man is immortal. Mo has returned as if he never left the game. His velocity remains in the low nineties, and performs consistently like he always has. Well done #42, you prove your HOF worthiness every pitch. We will miss you so badly next year. 

W2W4

With the key players returning in a few weeks, expect the platoon players to "up their skills" in the field and at the plate. These guys were signed for a brief period of time, so expect them to be playing for a job in the pros. Interleague play begins this month, as the Yanks renew once again the Subway Series against their bitter rival across the borough, the New York Mets. Four games during the last week of May (starting Memorial Day) will be split into a two game home-and-home series for both clubs. The Yanks invite Oakland and Seattle to the Stadium for the only time this season, and also face Colorado, Kansas City, and Baltimore. I expect a solid thirty days out of the Yanks, considering that the schedule is far less intimidating than what we expected last month. Prediction: 16-12 (33-22, 2nd East)