The real 2015 Yankees showed themselves this weekend with a three game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays at the Trop. This is may not be sustainable over the course of the season but fans got a preview of what this year’s squad is capable of: solid starting pitching, timely hitting, and a lights-out bullpen. The offense in particular has been a welcome sight, with the Yankees averaging 5 runs per game so far this season. Last year’s offense could only manage 3.9 runs per game, when 4.5 runs would have meant a certain playoff spot. This a game of inches as well as decimal points.

Starting Pitching: Masahiro Tanaka gave the Yankees their best start of the year as he returned to 2014 form in Saturday’s 9-0 win. Tanaka was dominant and efficient, only needing 85 pitches in his 7 inning shutout effort. Michael Pineda and Adam Warren continue to struggle to provide any significant length but were bailed out by the Yankee bullpen. This is not a formula for season long success so one or both better get things figured out quickly. Again, a lot hinges on the return of a healthy Ivan Nova in June.

Offense: As a Yankee fan, how do I feel about A-Roid being the offensive star of the team? I feel like Thor trusting Loki one more time. Okay, maybe I shouldn’t compare myself to Thor. I am “Joe Asgard” trusting Loki one more time. Regardless, A-Roid leads the team batting .316 with 4 HRs and 11 RBIs. As a baseball fan I may not like his success but as a Yankee fan I do feel he should be earning his $20 million/year salary, the overrated, insecure and insincere bastard that he is.

Thankfully, A-Roid is being backed by Ellsbury and Gardner’s hot hitting starts as well as big-time hits from Brian McCann, Chase Headley, and Chris Young. Brian McCann continues to prove his worth, in front of and behind the plate. Chase Headley is quickly becoming the new Scott Brosius as a solid fielder who is prepared to hit anywhere in the lineup that Joe Girardi needs. And Chris Young is making a daily case to be the starting RF over Carlos Beltran. Sorry, Carlos but like Randy Johnson before you, you were acquired two seasons too late.

Defense: The Yankees made it through this weekend’s Tampa series without committing an error. Call Guinness. Not saying this defense will be the equivalent of the 1999 Mets, but they are a lot better than what was on display in the first 9 games.

Bullpen: If the Yanks have a lead after six, they win – plain and simple. David Carpenter, Chris Martin, Justin Wilson, Esmil Rogers, and newcomer Brandon Pinder are providing Girardi with plenty of options to get through the high leverage situations of the 5th, 6th, and 7th innings. Once there, Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller are providing a 1-2 punch that usually takes three arms in Kansas City. It’s too early to see when overuse may become an issue but for now the Yankees will take what they can get.

Next up is four games with the superhot Detroit Tigers, which I can monitor closely here in my home state of Michigan. The Tigers are firing on all cylinders so I’d be happy to see a split of the four game set. I’m just glad the Yankees don’t have to face ex-mate Shane Greene because A) he’s the best pitcher on the staff at 3-0 with a 0.39 ERA and B) the less bitching I hear about the Yankees trading him as part of the deal to get the currently underperforming Didi Gregorius, the better. Didi will come around. Just be a fan.