The New York Yankees are spoiling the pennant-race fun.
Just as the Red Sox appear to have righted their ship, the Yankees have pulled away to what looks like an insurmountable lead in the AL East. As of Sept. 2, they lead by a season-high 7.5 games. The Yankees are 33-11 since the All-Star break. CC Sabathia is doing what he's done the last three years - win virtually every game in August. Manager Joe Girardi is even talking about resting players. And the only drama in the final month will be when Derek Jeter becomes the team's all-time hits leader.
And since the postseason appears to be inevitable, the Yankees are putting together their ticket plans. And at first glance, they seem to be throwing a bone to fans, with no astronomical leap in costs, but it's still more than any average fan can pay. And it's so complex, it's hard to follow.
And how Yankees fans react will be one of the more interesting subplots of the postseason - will the Yankees have a real home-field advantage in their ballpark compared to Boston's Fenway Park, if that's the ALCS matchup? The blue-collar fan is essentially priced out of the stadium when it matters the most.
Odds to win the World Series, from Bodog Sports - I find it interesting how low the Dodgers have sunk, even though they're very likely to make the playoffs:
- Yankees 12-5
- Phillies 9-2
- Cardinals 11-2
- Red Sox 6-1
- Dodgers 7-1
- Angels 15-2
- Rockies 14-1
- Tigers 18-1
- Rangers 18-1
- Giants 20-1
(And, for comedy relief, Mets 1500-1.)
Comments