Tampa is crumbling, but the Yankees will have to handle Boston, personally

Suddenly deprived of their ace - Tyler Glasnow has a partial elbow tear, aka a "Tanaka" -the Rays have lost six straight and first place in the AL East. That puts Boston in command, with the Yankees visiting Fenway on Friday for three games.

July is near, the days are growing shorter, and it's time for a standardized character assessment test of the '21 Yankees. 

They must beat Boston in their evil lair and show that the zombie Yankees of the first three months have been effectively shot in the brain. Though the YES propaganda arm and the front office will claim this team is contending, there is ample time for the '21 Yanks' to show their signature move: Win a few games, and then give everything back.

But here's something we didn't see coming: A renewed Gary Sanchez bringing clutch hits and sound defense.

Let me repeat the offer of last week:

Mr. Sanchez, we will happily take back every disparaging word we've ever uttered about you, if you continue to play with smarts and spit. We recognize there will be slumps and bumps... just give us smarts and spit, that's all. Smarts and spit.

Among MLB catchers, Sanchez ranks 16th in average, fifth in HRs and  11th in RBIs. He is rising quickly. (In the last 15 games, hitting .313. In the last seven, .333.) Not since his comic book rookie half-season has he shown such positives. This appears to be due to an adjustment in his stance. If so, MLB pitchers will eventually adjust to his adjustment, and he'll need to readjust to their readjustment. But with Sanchez hitting, the Yankees replace a nearly nightly golden sombrero with an extra base threat. In close games - like the last five come-from-behind wins - the difference is incredible.

The last five victories have revived the team and the fan base. No longer does a game seem out of reach, if the opponent scores two in the first. Moreover, the Yankees drew nearly 28,000 on Sunday, about 4,000 more than each of the first two home games, since the Covid restrictions went poof. They now face a certifiable tomato can - the Royals are six games below .500 - a series they must win, if not sweep, to get within striking distance of the wild card.

Then the test comes Friday. It's time for the Yankees to make their move.