1. Starting pitching
It’s unlikely even Brian Cashman anticipated having three 11-game winners by the All-Star break.
CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes are the first trio to accomplish this feat since the 1999 Astros. And the Bombers need all three of them to hold off the Rays in the second half.
2. Cano and Swisher
Both Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher have improved on last season’s solid numbers.
Cano’s average is up 16 points from 2009 and his 115 hits are among the most in the American League. Swisher, meanwhile, could finish the season batting better than .300 for the first time in his career.
3. Constant Gardner
Brett Gardner is making Cashman look really good right now.
The Yankees took a risk dealing Melky Cabrera in the offseason, but they haven’t regretted it since. Gardner has scored 56 runs, stolen 25 bases and is among the best two-strike hitters in the bigs.
