The Yankees almost squeezed out another come from behind victory over the Blue Jays Monday afternoon. Their timely hitting was running a little behind schedule as Eric Hinske stranded the tying run on first, swinging at what looked to be ball four to end the game.

Hinske was traded for two minor league pitchers last week and almost had the debut of a lifetime as he made a spectacular diving catch in right field and went 2 for 4 with a homerun before striking out to end the game. The Yankees have once again loaded up on outfielders doing business with the Pirates. One thing Hinske has going for him (besides the biceps he displayed to the chanting bleacher creatures) is his recent post-season aura. Hinske has been on each of the last two Ameican League pennant winning teams including the ’07 champs. Perhaps it’s the Aura they need in the clubhouse.

The Bombers have won 10 of their last 12 and continue to look stronger as time goes on. They take on the Twins tonight to start a 6 game road-trip before the All-Star break. CC will be on the mound tonight and he should look better then he did his last outing.

CC didn’t even get through the 6^th his last time out going 5 2/3 innings and allowing 6 runs and 10 hits. Despite Girardi’s praise of his fastball he looked like he belonged in the back of the rotation and out of the dominant pitcher discussion. Despite Yankees.com calling him their strongest starter I’m still waiting for my jaw to drop. Oh yeah and for his double-digit wins and low ERA to kick in. Obviously I have faith I’m just growing inpatient.

The Yankees do well against the Twins and that shouldn’t change tonight when the face Scott Baker, the epitome of mediocrity on a painfully average ball club. Although he is 2-0 with an ERA bellow 2 against the Yankees, I expect he’ll wake up from his dream in the comfort of his own home, down a few runs.

My worst-case scenario for the Yankees during this mini-road-trip is having them go 3-3. They should win more games than that but the Angels always seem to give them trouble. But even so, 3-3 puts them at 13-5 over their past 18 going into the All-Star break. Now that isn’t lights out but it’s pretty damn close and it gives me a good feeling about the upcoming dog days.

The Yankees have looked very good recently and I don’t see the picture losing its beauty any time soon. You can put your money on the Yankees being in first place if they win more than they lose during this mini-road-trip. That’s right the Red Sox will fall out of first place just like YUK did to TEX in All-Star votes. The fans have spoken and so have I—Yankees in first come the All-Star game