You have to give it to the Yankees this year. Twice they've looked like they were roadkill and twice they've come back....ending up the regular season with one of the best records in baseball.

Now, they're in an 0-2 hole to the Tribe, thanks in no small part from some help from some very small bugs. The Night of the Midges. It will live on in Cleveland baseball lore.

And now the Yankees hopes for continuing further into the postseason rest squarely on the ancient shoulders of one William Roger Clemens. Clemens, at 45, has seen better days. A lot of better days, it must be said. Seven Cy Youngs. That might be a record or something. But these days, Roger seems like he might have trouble just tying his shoes. That body is about spent for pitching. Has he got one more in him?

Roger's getting $28 million for this season from the Yankees. Almost $5 million a month. If he can win this game, it will all be worth it for George and the Yankee fans. He's going against Jake Westbrook, who after an injury-filled start to the season, lately has rounded into his regular nasty form. The Yankees need to get six strong innings from Clemens....on the other hand, the Indians want to get into that weak Yankee bullpen early.

Most people I've talked to think this series is over. The Yankees are toast. That's what the experts on telly are saying also. But I don't know. I've followed the Indians for too long, seen too many late-season swoons to the Yankees, to believe anything good will happen for the Cleveland Indians until I actually see it.

But if the Yankees do go down with Roger Clemens on the mound, it will bring much joy to those long-denied believers in the former Mistake by the Lake. And to many folks in Beantown, also.