Johnny Damon has a number of skills.  For one, he is exceptionally adept when it comes to hitting dingers to the short porch in right field at the new Stadium.  He is really good at making seamless transitions in disparate hairstyles. But, perhaps, above all else. Damon is a man who knows how to state the obvious.  (For example: Remember that time he told us murder was worse than steroids?)

Today’s obvious statement was in reference to this week’s series against the Chowdas.  When asked about our current 0-5 record against the team whose name we do not speak, Johnny commented, “It’s time to win some games against them.”

Like I said, obvious.

Well, obvious to me, anyway.  To Jeter, a little less so apparently.  In the language we’ve come to know and love as Jeterese, Derek commented, “It doesn’t matter. I’m pretty sure they’re not thinking about what happened before. We couldn’t care less what happened the first five games. It has no bearing on this.”

Right.  Except that’s not true.

After an extremely shaky start to the season — the kind that gets hysterics all worked up sometime around early May– the Yankees appear to have realigned themselves.  The introduction of A-Rod to the lineup seems to have been a major catalyst.  Teixeira has, of course, also started performing to expectations. (FYI, he was always going to.)  The only hurdle we have left to surmount is a victory — preferably a series victory — against the Chowdas.

Derek, ever the diplomat/wet blanket is right in one sense: This game does not count any more than any other game.  To that end, we should just want to win to win.  Yet, there’s a reality at play here, whether or not Jeter wants to acknowledge it.  This rivalry exists. It’s heated, it’s fun, and it matters to people.  Certainly to the fans, if not all of the players.  So, in my mind, yes, actually, it’s time to win some games against them.

(Note:  I’m supporting the logic of Damon over Jeter.  It’s likely hell has frozen over.)

The real question mark of the evening is going to be in the pitching department.  During his last outing at Fenway on April 25, A.J. struggled. (And by struggled, I mean he got spanked.  And by spanked, I mean he gave up eight runs during a two-inning meltdown.) Mariano is also out for the night, having pitched three in a row.  This is always a devastating blow, though significantly less so against the Red Sox.

But here’s the good news: It’s likely we’ll call on Alfredo Aceves to fill in for Mo in the 9th.  The more I see of this guy, the more I like him.   He is apt to be a critical component to our long-term future success.   Plus,  A.J. is coming off a run of two consecutive wins, during which he has brought his rapidly increasing ERA down from a 5.28 to a 4.69.  I predict he will continue trending in this direction. If I had to guess (hope), I’d peg this game as a pitching battle rather than a hit parade.  On both ends.

Ultimately, though, whether it’s with one run in extra innings or ten within the first, tonight is about the W.  Period.  I’m not going to mince words about it. This is the Chowdas, and we’re the Yankees.  This rivalry is part and parcel of the reason we love to love the Yankees. Bragging rights are part of why we love to play this series.  Game 7 of the ALCS 2003 is why we’ll always love Aaron Boone — even though he’s just Aaron Boone.  Meanwhile. It’s June 9 and we’re still 0-5.

So, bottom line, like Johnny said, it’s time to win some games against them.