The Yankees have won 11 straight games for the first time in my life and for the time since 1985. They beat the Braves 5-4 on Tuesday night to sweep the two-game series from the hottest team in the National League, but it almost wasn’t to be after another rocky performance from Aroldis Chapman. It’s time reputation and owed money stopped determining who pitches the ninth inning of close games for the Yankees.

Subscribe to the Keefe To The City Podcast. New episode after every game during the season.

My book The Next Yankees Era: My Transition from the Core Four to the Baby Bombers is now available as an ebook!

After an improbable comeback in the top of the ninth, the Yankees lost the Field of Dreams game to the White Sox 9-8 on a two-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth. Zack Britton gave up the game-winning home run and took the loss, but the game was lost way before that. It was lost when the Yankees announced Andrew Heaney as the starting pitcher for the game.

Subscribe to the Keefe To The City Podcast. New episode after every game during the season.

My book The Next Yankees Era: My Transition from the Core Four to the Baby Bombers is now available as an ebook!

The Yankees won again, this time 7-5 over the Twins for their seventh straight win. In the middle of the Yankees’ run since the All-Star break has been a lot of unsung heroes, and Andrew Valezquez is the latest. With two more hits, including a triple, two runs scored and outstanding defensive play, the Bronx native continues to be a perfect fit on this Yankees team.

Subscribe to the Keefe To The City Podcast. New episode after every game during the season.

My book The Next Yankees Era: My Transition from the Core Four to the Baby Bombers is now available as an ebook!

Before the trade deadline, I thought the Yankees were going to lose every game. Their starting pitching was great, but their bullpen was shaky and the offense was unbalanced and underachieving. Since the trade deadline, I think the Yankees are going to win every game. Their starting pitching has remained great, their bullpen has more depth and their lineup is balanced with actual, major-league-caliber left-handed bats. These Yankees (the post-trade deadline Yankees) have a chance to be special.

Subscribe to the Keefe To The City Podcast. New episode after every game during the season.

My book The Next Yankees Era: My Transition from the Core Four to the Baby Bombers is now available as an ebook!

The Yankees swept the Red Sox on Tuesday, passing both the Red Sox and A’s in the standings to currently hold the first-wild card spot. It’s been a long climb back since the beginning of July following three months of wasted baseball from the Yankees, and today is a day to be happy. Happy, but not content, as the Yankees can still accomplish the goal of winning the division.

Subscribe to the Keefe To The City Podcast. New episode after every game during the season.

My book The Next Yankees Era: My Transition from the Core Four to the Baby Bombers is now available as an ebook!