Just for kicks, SU checked the Yankees’ Wild Card playoff probability this morning after their recent hot streak. At 70 – 69, those odds have dramatically increased from less than 1% to 1.1% (see FanGraphs (https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/playoff-odds)!! Start printing those playoff tickets!

What is mildly annoying is that the Yankees could have gone to the youngsters weeks ago vs. rolling out the same tired/older line up game after game and expecting a different result. If nothing else, there is more excitement and joy with the team having guys like Dominguez in the line up. And what is truly refreshing for SU is to see left-handed hitters in the line up in Wells (catcher) and Dominguez (switch hitter). After years and years of the all right-handed line up, we actually see some variety out there and hope that a hitter can handle a 97-mph fastball from a right-hander.

SU says that no matter how the team fares down the stretch, both Cashman and Boone will return. Hal is comfortable with who he knows the best. Just can’t see a change happening but could be wrong.

SU has watched a lot of the US Open these last 2 weeks (sorry about that NYC Spectrum subscribers who can’t see it on ESPN due to an ongoing money dispute with Spectrum). Really good stuff and excited to see the US men and women shining for a change in a Major. Good for tennis. SU likes the way the Gen Z players are just different out there and unafraid to be themselves on the court with their mannerisms and actions to drive their social media accounts. Why not? It’s being done in good fun. Coco Gauff is easy to root for, and incredibly athletic and fast. If she can ever master her forehand, look out as her volley is first rate as is her serve. No reason she should be not be playing serve and volley.

Ben Shelton is a crazy story. He has been horrible all year since the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. Basically losing in the 1st round of every tournament. He is fearless and hits with amazing power (149 mph on his serve during a day session). He is built for the big stage. SU does not believe the best of 5 sets format helps him vs. Djokovic but in a best of 3 sets, if he’s hot with his serve, he can beat anyone – even Alcaraz.

Medvedev really has no shot vs. Alcaraz if he insists on staying so far back. He will be drop shot to death in the hot conditions. While Friday will be a bit cooler, with the roof closed, it will still be a sauna.

Having the microphones near the coaches by the court is a great move by ESPN. What’s funny is that the noise level in Ashe is so loud that the players can hardly hear their coaches. The mikes pick it up clearly but in Ashe, the noise reverberates down to the court creating a constant din. Even in the post-match interviews on court, sometimes the players can’t hear the question. It’s NY. It is what it is at the US Open but it’s unlike any of the other majors.

Finally, the NFL kicks off tonight. Hope springs eternal for every team. At least until week #2.