Make it seven wins in a row for the Yanks since the All-Star break and the second for CC Sabathia himself during that stretch. Neither the torrential downpour nor the rain delay of over two and a half hours could slow them down. The Yankees came away with a routine win as they continued to play their best baseball of the season.

After a streak of close games won by effective and impressive pitching the Yankees have found their bats again, taking some of the pressure off of the pitching staff. That’s not to say the starters aren’t still pitching well. Sabathia threw 7 strong innings Thursday night only allowing 3ER with no walks. He captured his 10^th victory of the season and only threw 109 pitches in doing so, 71 of which were strikes.

In a press conference after Wednesday afternoon’s game Joe Girardi commented on his players’ performance since the All-Star break, pronouncing it the best baseball they’ve played all season. He’s right. And with the Red Sox playing poorly and feeling the injury bug, it only makes the Yankees look better.

The Yankees have entered the second half of the season like a kid hits the recess yard. They’ve got the momentum of a downhill skier and it’s hard to tell when and if they’ll be slowed. With three games left against Oakland, versus pitchers all with losing records, it doesn’t seem like it’ll be this series. Obviously they won’t win every game for the rest of the season but on paper they have pink skies for smooth sailing.

Phil Hughes has been coming out of the bullpen like a confident veteran and not like the 23-year-old representative of mediocrity everyone thought he was. Ever since being moved into the bullpen to make room for round two of Wang disappointments, he has been an integral part of the team. Lately he has been one of Girardi’s go-to men and has swiftly stolen Brian Bruney’s role, which has turned into the relief of the relief giving guys rest when the Yanks are up big.

Hughes didn’t complain when he was sent to the pen and stripped of his starting duties. And he didn’t pout when Girardi turned to Alfredo Aceves and Sergio Mitre to make starts after Wang went down again. He knows he’s young and he knows his role. You can tell the team is confident in his abilities and the fans are excited when he jogs in from left field. He handles himself like professional and even picked up his first career save Thursday night after throwing two innings of hitless relief.

As much as I give Cashman a hard time and as much flack as Girardi can get for decisions he makes, they both did right by getting, keeping and molding Phil Hughes. He is a true Yankee farm system product, the first since Andy Pettitte (not counting Joba, too young to count), and keeping him in the bullpen has, so far, been one of the best moves Girardi has made as an manager this season, no matter how obvious it may seem to some.

Any way you look at it, the Yankees are a threatening team that needs to be feared. They are playing a bad Athletics team after sweeping a terrible O’s squad, but before that they swept a talented and well-managed first place Detroit team. They can and will beat good teams and if you have to wait and see to believe it then grab a chair with a good view and get ready.

I can’t help but look to August 6^th when the Yankees head home after a short but tricky road-trip and host the Red Sox for four games. I’m salivating just thinking about it. With the Red Sox getting their wins out of the way early, all the Yankees have to do now is play baseball like they have the past 7 days and everything is right as rain. Easier said than done.

I’m sure the Yankees have the Red Sox in the back of their minds but hopefully they aren’t as eager and foolish as I am and are just taking it one game at a time. They are flying high at the moment but can be shot down if they get too far ahead of themselves. Although it’s fun to think about the BoSox, turning 7 into 8 is really what should be on every Yankee mind, fan or player.

Joba’s on the mound tonight against a 5-7 Brett Anderson (Who?) and is coming off one of his best performances of the season and should get his second win at the new stadium. MO had the day off last night and only pitched 1 out the day before so you know he’s itching to get in there. Lets give Joba 10-20 more pitches than usual Poppa Girardi and see if he can’t get us through 7. As long as he keeps his control issues under wraps I smell 8 in a row.