August brings the dog days of baseball, it effects not only the players, but everyone connected to the game. I’m tired too.

One of the two days off the A’s will enjoy in August, comes on Monday, it is well appreciated by all.

The A’s and the Yankees finished one of the best series of the year Sunday with the A’s pulling out a 2-1 win on Miguel Tejada’s double to win the game in the ninth off of Mariano Rivera.

Click below for more thoughts on the weeknd.The Yankees used Rivera four days in a row. Not only did he not have his super A-1 stuff on Sunday, but it became obvious that Joe Torre has no confidence in Armando Benitez.

Hey, Benitez has been a major league closer for six years or more, to not go to him in the ninth inning Sunday was a clear statement to the big reliever that his role will simply be as a set up man.

I’m sure that somewhere George Steinbrenner is asking “Do I need another reliever”?

Maybe they do, if they aren’t going to use Benitez if Rivera is not available, which he shouldn’t have been after three days of work.

Alfonso Soriano cost Andy Pettitte any chance he had of finishing the game when he threw away an easy inning ending grounder, forcing Pettitte to throw more tough pitches to retire the side in the eighth inning.

Soriano’s error cost the Yankees the game Friday night too.

Soriano would be much better off as a center fielder with the Yanks getting a smooth fielding second baseman to handle the keystone sack. Soriano makes more errors than the ones that show up in the box score, not covering the base, not turning a double play, etc.

Hideki Matsui had a tough weekend too. The A’s shut him down most of the weekend and he missed a few critical plays in the outfield, especially on Tejada’s game winning hit, Matsui played it too close to the wall in left to begin with, then mishandled the carom which allowed Chavez to score from first with the winning run.

Pettitte is the pitcher the A’s have to fear in a five game series. He will pitch games one and five, count on it, if these two teams meet in October.

I’ve never seen Pettitte pitch better, in fact he should have had a no hitter going into the ninth inning today, but for a questionable scoring decision in the first inning.

Truth of the matter is, if the Yanks and A’s meet in a five game series, it won’t go five, the A’s will win in four. You can take it to the bank.

Now flash to next season. How will A’s fans feel when Bobby Crosby is playing shortstop and he is up with the game on the line against a hall of fame closer.

The A’s should resign Miguel Tejada, he is the only player on this team with heart. Losing him will further deplete the offense which is on life support right now.

Eric Byrnes who played so well during May and June needs to go to Sacramento to get his game together. He is toast right now in the big leagues.

Adam Piatt is not doing his share also. Chris Singleton should be in the lineup as much as possible. With spacious Comerica Park ahead this week, the A’s need tight defense in center.

Jose Guillen will get loose on this trip, facing lesser pitchers than he faced this weekend.

Having him attempt a bunt in the ninth inning today was the correct baseball play even if the A’s philosophy dictated a different startegy. I’m glad Ken Macha tried it, hey, Guillen might have hit into a double play if he swung away, thus ending any hopes of a rally.

With Chavez and Tejada coming up, it was smart to try to get the tying run into scoring position.

Mark Mulder is a serious contender for the Cy Young award. Mulder was simply overpowering Sunday against NY. But for Byrnes turning the wrong way on Aaron Boone’s two out shot to center field in the fifth, Mulder might have thrown a no hitter as well.

By the way, Frankie Menochino can hit. He is wasting away on the A’s bench while Adam Piatt gets the right handed at bats at DH.

So now, the A’s go to Detroit and Chicago while Seattle plays Cleveland and New York, all on the road. The A’s should pick up at least one game this week on Seattle, if not more.

Boston meanwhile, with a 1/2 game lead on the A’s in the wild card, plays Anaheim and Baltimore in Fenway, where they hit the ball much better.

The Marlins trailing the Phils by two, play at St. Louis and Milwaukee while the Phils come west to play the Rockies and Giants. This might be the week the Marlins make their move, if they get some decent pitching from Dontrelle Willis, Brad Penny, and Josh Beckett in St. Louis.

The Royals play the White Sox for three, then go to Tampa for four. The Twins get the Orioles and the Tigers on the road for their week.

This is a week Minnesota might close some ground on both KC and the Sox who face tougher teams (Tampa Bay can hit ).

The Cubs are on the west coast with San Diego and the Dodgers, while Houston faces the Mets and the Expos at home.

This could be a good week for Houston.

By the way, what is the word on Mark Prior’s condition?

The Yankees don’t want any part of the A’s in the postseason, that was reinforced this weekend.

Can the four game Red Sox series next week in Oakland top these past three games?

I think so, all of a sudden October doesn’t seem that far away.

Just don’t wake Rich Harden yet, the A’s need his strong right arm, just let him think he is still pitching in the PCL, at least until September.

I’m going to enjoy my day off from the park on Monday!