The Yankees looked much better against the White Sox than the Orioles this week. The Bombers seemed flat last weekend versus the Orioles. Robinson Cano and Jason Giambi are still battling their season long slumps. At least Jason has showed a little pop every now and then...plus he continues to draw the walk. Robinson is hitting the ball hard, but usually right at someone on the opposition.

Mike Mussina's ON/OFF season continues as he pitched a nice game last night. He passed Hall of Famer Bob Gibson with his 242nd ML win. If it had not been for Jorge Posada, the Moose would have been jerked earlier. Manager Joe Girardi was ready to go to the bullpen for LaTroy Hawkins, but Jorge stood up for his pitcher. Mussina threw seven strong innings needing just 101 pitches. Hawkins came in the eight and threw gasoline everywhere getting just one batter out and allowing the ChiSox back in the game. I wonder how much longer Hawkins can hang on with the Yankees as these performances continue. I thought Brian Cashman had learned his lesson with these "National League" type relievers.

I love Mariano Rivera. He just looks much older this season than in the past. Mo picked up his 6th save of the season (another multi-inning save). I wonder how this extra work will affect Mo if these multiple inning appearances continue.

Also....from the New York Post:

Based on a conversation Alex Rodriguez had with hitting coach Kevin Long, Joe Girardi expects to see Alex Rodriguez at US Cellular Field tonight.

Nevertheless, the smart money isn't on Rodriguez returning to the lineup because of a strained right quadricep muscle.

"I don't have plans to play him but I didn't have plans to play Derek [Jeter] the day I did," Girardi said.

Before last night's 6-4 win over the White Sox, Girardi said the chances of Rodriguez, who has been in Miami since Monday for the birth of his second daughter, were long.

"I would be shocked if he played [tonight]," Girardi said. "We have to make sure he doesn't push it too much, too early."

According to GM Brian Cashman, who didn't speak with Rodriguez yesterday, Rodriguez was slated to receive treatment at the University of Miami.

"All I know is that Joe Girardi told me he was looking at the Cleveland series [to play]," Cashman said.