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NEW YORK -- The embroidered uniform No. 28 drapes across Joe Girardi's back for each lean against the batting cage, each visit to the mound, a constant reminder of a goal yet to be attained.Girardi claimed the manager's chair in 2008 and delivered the '09 World Series title, but that's old news by now. The Yankees' expectations, as always, are to add another championship flag to their collection. all football teams "I think they understand that in that room," Girardi said, nodding his head slightly toward the clubhouse. "I don't really have to say anything."It is a luxury, a blessing and perhaps a curse that the Yankees can approach their 162-game schedule as a necessary stumbling block toward the season that really matters, when September peels into October. Eleven postseason victories sit between them and all football teams another ride down New York's Canyon of Heroes, and it hasn't been the easiest ride thus far. That offers plenty of time to debate if this batch of Bombers has enough to go all the way."There's no question that we're in a franchise that the most important month is October," third baseman Alex Rodriguez said. "Obviously with a good performance and the team attaining its goal, then I think everyone all football teams would agree that everything will be forgotten." Yankees general manager Brian Cashman often says "Pitching is the key to the kingdom," and so while no one debates their ability to slug, fat innings are more difficult to put up against elite October rotations."It's going to be an exciting rest of the season," Nick Swisher said. "It's going to be a lot of good baseball games, a lot of big games. I k all football teams now everybody in here is ready for it."Their own pitching setup presents questions. CC Sabathia heads in as the certain ace, already owning some very good postseason performances but still searching for more shutdown dominance."When I'm right, I can beat anybody," Sabathia said.Behind Sabathia, the Yankees have to scratch their heads a little. Phil Hughes hopes that the postseason can delete his u all football teams gly numbers from the regular season, forever skewed by three unacceptable April starts. "There's no question that we're in a franchise that the most important month is October. Obviously with a good performance and the team attaining its goal, then I think everyone would agree that everything will be forgotten."-- Alex Rodriguez"I can't change what's already happened, but from this point on, I c all football teams an try and pitch well enough to have a job when the playoffs come around," Hughes said.The Yankees love the hunger in Ivan Nova's eyes, but the rookie right-hander is yet unexposed to postseason pressure. The club also needs to ponder how much more to ask of Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia, already enjoying big payoffs on low-risk investments, and decide if A.J. Burnett's recent turnaround is more all football teams promise or mirage. "I'm sure it's in the back of their minds," Girardi said. "But I think they're probably more focused on winning games and trying to win the division. I think that's their main focus -- as well it should be."Offensively, the Yankees are set up to mash. Consider that Curtis Granderson, in the midst of a season that has him earning consideration for an American League MVP Award, all football teams likely is not even the team's most explosive hitter.Those honors probably go to Robinson Cano, who wields impressive extra-base power and proven playoff ability."You want to win games," Cano said. "That's all that matters to us here, just win games."Mark Teixeira continued his run of remarkable consistency by producing yet another season of 30-plus homers while clearing the 100-RBIs plateau, while all football teams Brett Gardner offers plus speed at the top of the lineup.Swisher rounds out a productive outfield, while the Yankees have been rewarded by their faith in Derek Jeter, seeing the captain return to form after a stint on the disabled list. Their gamble to import Russell Martin, a defensive-minded catcher with offensive ability, has paid off handsomely. But a major concern, as it did in 2009, continu all football teams es to revolve around A-Rod. Slowed by injuries in his most frustrating season to date, Rodriguez needs to be more than a shell of himself to truly strut with confidence. The Yankees' bench has done nice work this year, particularly in the cases of Eric Chavez, Andruw Jones and Eduardo Nunez, but having A-Rod healthy at just the right time could really make the lineup hum. "Everyone at some point o all football teams r another has stepped up, and this is no different," Rodriguez said. "I think we have great depth, and we'll be tested."At the DH spot, rookie Jesus Montero, 21, wasn't even on the active roster until Sept. 1. But his big-hitting potential has the club choosing between its past and future, also considering its loyalty to 40-year-old Jorge Posada. "I want to help in whatever place they put me," sai all football teams d Montero. "I know a lot of guys over here are older than me, and they have some places, too."After running into a Texas Rangers buzzsaw last year in the AL Championship Series, the Yankees had an entire winter to lament their shortcomings.Immediately and for months after, there was recognition that the Yanks had been ultimately outplayed when the games counted most. The end result was unacceptabl all football teams e, something they aim to fix in 2011."If you're fortunate enough to get into the playoffs, you want to be playing your best baseball going in," Girardi said. "Sometimes that doesn't always happen and teams end up winning the World Series, but I would take our chances if we were playing our best." all football teams
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