New York Yankees

2010 presents us with some of the most compelling playoff races in recent history. With the Padres slipping in the NL West, the Phillies taking over in the NL East, and possibly the two best teams in baseball -- the Rays and Yankees -- battling it out in the AL East, the last 20 games could bring about many surprises.

Via ESPN:

The Yankee left-hander has started 40 postseason games in his Major League career. In those games, Andy Pettitte is 18-9 with a 3.90 ERA. He also has five World Series rings.

How could a pitcher with that résumé feel a responsibility to a minor league team?

Well, it’s simple. Andy Pettitte needed to pitch a rehab assignment. The Yankees' Double-A affiliate, Trenton Thunder, is in the playoffs.

The Yankees are back in action tonight as they take on a possible playoff opponent in the Texas Rangers.

Here are some notes:

The Yankees DFA’d LHP Wilkin De La Rosa in order to make room on the 40-man roster for LHP Steve Garrison, whom they claimed off of waivers from the San Diego Padres,

Via the NY Post:

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is not ready to reveal the Yankees' playoff pitching scene just yet. 

Cashman said that everyone besides CC Sabathia and Mariano Rivera is going to have to earn a role on the postseason roster.

Theoretically, rookie Ivan Nova could earn a spot over A.J. Burnett or Javier Vazquez.

After winning seven of 10 games in the Bronx, the New York Yankees start a nine-game road trip with a weekend series against the AL West-leading Texas Rangers.

Could this be a possible ALDS preview?

Yes, if the Yankees get through the last 22 regular season games, which is not as easy as it sounds.

Dustin Pedroia won the 2008 AL MVP.  Based on that victory, Robinson Cano should run away with the AL MVP this year. 

It's important to compare Cano's year to Pedroia's and expose some truths about baseball, position scarcity, and the real value of players.

The first week of July the New York Yankees nearly landed Cliff Lee in a deal with the Mariners in exchange for a package surrounding top prospect Jesus Montero.