The incredible difference that a week can make... when it includes an International Juju Intervention

Last Saturday, as the Death Star plummeted toward the ice planet Hoth - metaphorically, of course - the Yankiverse echoed with the primal wails of one diamond-hard truthlet: 

The Redsocks were a superior team, and to summon any dim hopes whatsoever, the Yankees needed to pull off a deadline deal of staggering consequences. 

It looked bleak, a calamity fast approaching.

And yet... 

Today, a mere 168 hours later, Boston finds itself in a free-fall death-spiral, with the Yankees having a chance to drive a stake into their rival's kidney, if not a ventricle.    

Comrades... gaze into these standings, and enjoy a well-earned Calgon Bath Oil Beads-level surge of comfort. 

Ah, you might say, "so go the vagaries of the game!" As The Master says, "You cannot predict baseball, Suzyn." And what, you might ask, could have happened in one simple week to so redirect the cosmic flows of hope?

Some possibilities:

1. The informative and well executed Democratic debates energized the Yankees, as these great leaders outlined solutions to the nation's woes. 

2. The President's helpful observations on Baltimore, race and rodents created a hopeful environment for the nation - and the Yankees - to thrive.

3. The Emergency International Juju Intervention - called last Sunday as the Yankees faced a possible sweep- actually worked.

One week, folks. Seven days ago, all was lost. Then the juju gods were called out for their treachery. 

To all who berated their televisions, who punched their Pedroia Pillow, or who stood in the kitchen doorway for nine long innings, refusing to move because the Yankees were winning... I doff my cap. You are heroes.

But but but... we must not relent in our juju work. 

Because a week from now can be a long, long journey.