Since tonight is the 40th game, the season will be one quarter played. (Technically, the 5th inning tomorrow). The question is whether the glass is half full, half empty, or whether perhaps the Red Sox stole half our water.   I have also teased a few random items from the box scores that may have escaped our collective notice.

The glass is half full in my view.  I picked this team for third place, and that is where it could still finish, but right now it clings to first place.  The reason for this is starting pitching, which was supposed to be the big question mark, especially Phil Hughes.

Obviously, Colon, Garcia, and even Nova have performed above expectations, while CC Sabathia waits for the weather to warm up, and Burnett has pitched as well as we could have hoped.  Random fun fact:  The Yankees ERA as a team is 3.73 as of Thursday.   If you take out Phil Hughes' numbers, the Yankees team ERA is 3.30. Since Hughes' departure, the pitching has been sterling (not John Sterling, just very good).  The bullpen, outside of Soriano, has been as good as the starters, David Robertson especially (10 IP, 14K).

On the flip side, remember all that relief that we had jettisoned the 'league average' (2009) and 'completely useless' (2010) Melky Cabrera?  The Melkman is hitting .293 with 20 RBI in Kansas City. That RBI number would be third on the Yankees.

Or that other guy we had no use for, Ian Kennedy, the ace of the Diamondback staff. 

On the other hand, Phil Coke 1-4,  4.50, is making you haters feel a bit better.  

Possible bumps in the road ahead:  Older players with nagging injuries dragging down their performances, and injury- prone players being injured.   Looking at you, Jeter, ARod, Martin, Chavez, and even Mariano.

Brightest spot of all:  The Red Sox still under .500, tied for last.  This offsets every other other negative.  Count your blessings, Yankees fans.