Yankee tunnel never darker.

These are probably the darkest days in Yankee history. For sure.

Worse than last year's 11-19 start. Worse than the Stump Merrill era. Worse than the day Lou Gehrig was diagnosed with a disease that was so rare that the disease is named after him. Worse than the day Thurman Munson died.

Playing .590 ball and 1/2-game out of first place and the Yankee tunnel has never been darker:

"This is supposed to be the year in which the Subway Series is actually a fair fight, but the Yankees have bigger problems to worry about this weekend than the Mets."

Like every other year.


"Bigger problems such as a woefully depleted group of outfielders.

Bigger problems such as another injured starter."

Does he mean Bubba Crosby? Or does he mean Carl Pavano?

I like Bubba well enough, but if his injury qualifies as a "big problem" to a major league ball club ...


"Bigger problems such as the Big Unit.

So while this very well may be the season in which the Mets — the so-called little brothers in this rivalry — have grown up and can stand on level terms with the Yanks, the series is not exactly the Bombers' focus."

Borden's argument is a Monty Python routine:

The Yankees have a problem. They're playing the Mets. But an even bigger problem is the pitching of Randy Johnson. Who pitches tonight against the Mets. Which is a problem since they're playing the Mets. With Randy Johnson pitching. Which is a problem since Randy Johnson is pitching. Against the Mets. Which is a problem.

Let me put it this way: If the Yankees are focused on Randy Johnson's pitching, then the Yankees are focused on playing the Mets. Since Randy Johnson is pitching against the Mets. The two events are inseparable.


Boy, Sam Borden sure listed a lot of problems for the Yankees. Maybe it's true that the Yankee tunnel has never been darker and the Mets are on oncoming train.

So, Sam Borden, how badly are the Mets going to beat the injured, unfocused Yankees when they play this weekend?:

"Yankee beat writer Sam Borden:

Yanks 2 of 3

After seizing victory in last year's Subway Series prediction contest, I see no reason to go away from the chalk."

But you just said the Yankee tunnel was never darker.

You just said the light at the end of the tunnel belongs to the oncoming Mets.

You just said this is supposed to be the year in which the Subway Series is actually a fair fight, the Yankees have bigger problems to worry about this weekend than the Mets, bigger problems such as a woefully depleted group of outfielders, bigger problems such as another injured starter, bigger problems such as the Big Unit, so while this very well may be the season in which the Mets — the so-called little brothers in this rivalry — have grown up and can stand on level terms with the Yanks, the series is not exactly the Bombers' focus.

Then you pick the Yankees to win 2 out of 3.