The series with the Rays had just about everything, including good starting pitching, clutch hitting, a benches-clearing tiff, a Boone ejection and, best of all, enough “W’s” to put the Yankees safely in front of the Rays by eight games by the time it was all over (Boston is ten back.) There’s always tension and emotion when the two clubs play these days, and I really enjoy it.

I loved the way this team never seemed to give up, and in yesterday’s double-header, particularly in the nightcap, I loved the station-to-station hitting. I love homers too, of course, but moving players around the diamond was something the Yankees weren’t so good at in previous years.

German has really distinguished himself as a pitcher we can count on, and Urshela is just plain on a tear. Do we still need that starter before the deadline? Absolutely, if we’re going to step up and win this thing. The clock is ticking, Cashman. Keep working those phones.