Matsui and Alex have walked against him, while Jeter, Sheff, Tino, Bernie, and Giambi are all 0 for 1 or 2.

My best guess of a lineup and batting order:

1 Matsui RF
2 Alex 3B
3 Russ Johnson 1B
4 Sanchez SS
5 Cano 2B
6 Posada C
7 Rooben DH
8 Bubba CF
9 Womack LF

And the bats should be on point too. Hey, we gotta have faith here. Plus, it's my damn birfday, so let's hope they win one for the Gipper, so to speak.

Happy b-day, man. Hope the Yanks come through for you...and the rest of us.

Any of you sabermetricians out there able to quantify this team's seemingly habitual gaffes?

We can't have this.

What's the this umpires strike zone?

What's with Johnson and his flat sliders?

What's with the listless offense, careless defense (Cano on the aborted double play), and our boys flat-out stinkin up the jernt?

Is 2 hits yesterday and 2 for 4 and a HR today for Bernie enought to GET WOMACK ON THE BENCH FOREVER!!!!!!!!

This team exhibits a deadly combination--they don't play hard and they don't play smart.

Unfortunately, poor roster decisions aren't helping matters. Russ Johnson is somehow on this team and Andy Phillips isn't. There isn't a real center fielder to be found now that Bubba Crosby is in Columbus. And there's only player capable of playing right field.

I'm afraid the Yankees aren't going to get better until the following things happen:

1) a center fielder (Preston Wilson?) is acquired, allowing Matsui to play left field every day

2) Bernie Williams becomes the everyday DH and Jason Giambi isn't allowed to waste any more at-bats

3) Andy Phillips is brought up to platoon with Tino Martinez at first base

4) Tony Womack becomes a utility player, backing up Cano and Matsui and being used as a pinch-runner

5) Randy Johnson starts pitching like a dominant No. 1 starter and not an OK No. 3 starter

The last thing depends on Johnson himself; the other four depends on Cashman and Torre starting to make some smart decisions.

Giambi gaveth and taketh away which will be the epitaph on his Yankee career. What nightmare that contract has become. The Yankees could have had at least one run in that inning with Bernie's single if Giambi hasn't been caught between bases.

Joe needs to plant Womack's butt to the bench and put Bernie back into the line up on a regular basis.

Anyone else unhappy with tonight's installment of Mystery Lineup '05? Not so sure we want a slumping double-play machine batting second.

I agree that Bernie should be entrenched in this lineup (BATTING SECOND!!!!), but only as a DH. The Royals - THE ROYALS - ran on his arm all night. It's clear to everyone in baseball (except for Torre, of course) that he can no longer throw.

and just think, soon jaret wright will be back, and our most reliable and consistent starter will either be sent down or, more likely and much worse, traded.

I think of 2000 when the team's offense was really struggling before they landed David Justice in what's got to be the most perfect acquisition, midseason or otherwise, in the team's championship years. He brought not only the offense needed, but from day one just fit right into the mix in terms of chemistry and attitude.

The reason that acquisition was so perfect is because the team was fine in every other regard. They could pitch and field and played fundamental ball.

This team sadly lacks the fundamentals (though obviously possesses extraordinary talent) which means that it's impossible for them to win when they're in a funk.

Sure they may be able to get to the postseason on pure talent, but without the focus required to consistently harness that talent, I don't like their chances.