The Angels are closing, Houston is floundering, and Stephen Drew is spinning

First, let's be clear: I wish no ill on Stephen Drew. Apparently, Drew is suffering from an inner-ear infection, which might even stem from a whack to the head, and it's something you wouldn't wish on anybody, aside from Papelbon. It may have happened in that recent game when Drew made two errors - one bounced off his glove and hit him in the ear - which cost us a win. If so, I apologize for the things I yelled at Drew through my TV.

But yesterday's revelation that Drew is suffering from dizziness leads to a secondary revelation: Joe Girardi is suffering from a managerial form of PTSD. Apparently, Joe's recent use of Dustin Ackley and Rob Refsnyder at 2B was not a sign of long overdue change: He was merely resting Dizzy Drew. Thus, as soon as Dizzy is back on the Ritalin, we'll return to his .202 batting average and kiss his four at-bats goodbye every game. How exciting is that, eh?

Listen: I think Joe's a great guy, a leader, he instills loyalty, and is, overall, a decent manager. But he's having a terrible year. The bullpen has traumatized him. He continually uses the two pitchers he trusts, causing them to wear out. And somewhere in his mind, he once saw Jose Pirela or Rob Refsnyder botch a play at 2B, and - as a result - he could not bring himself to ever stick them in a game. If Joe has lost the ability to adjust, maybe he ought to call a season from the broadcast booth.

It's coming down to the wire. Technically, Boston is still in this - six losses behind a wild card slot. All we need to do is win a game, and they're done. If we do it quickly, the rest of the series will be a laugh and a wink. If they get close to sweeping us, the stress levels will pop Joe's cork.

So who do we root for? California has won 8 of its last 10 games, pulling into a virtual tie (in the loss column) with Houston. The Astros have Dallas Kuechel, who will shut us out in one-game playoff (assuming they can finagle their staff to have him pitch.) The Angels are the hottest team in the AL - which is precisely what you don't want to face. The answer of course, is Minnesota, who is neither good nor hot.

On behalf of the Yankiverse, I say, keep spinning, Drew! And go you Twins!