Are these Yankees like the 1998 Yankees?

The Yankees are playing very impressively and winning with the frequency that they won during other years. That is drawing various comparisons to the 1998 team with lines such as machine-like efficiency.

One similarity that seems obvious to me is playing with a fire. If you remember the 1997 team was stunned in the first round by the Indians after winning it all in 1996. The images of Paul O'Neill sliding at second are so vivid and that team had a bunch of gamers who were determined not to let it happen again.

It did not. The Yankees started 1-4 and finished 114-48. This team started 13-15 and was 38-32, so that's a difference.

Another difference and this is an important one, the Yankees had some built up equity as they proved they could get it done in the postseason. This team beyond a few players does not.

The only players that have truly shown they can get the job done is postseason besides the core of Jeter, Rivera, Posada and Pettitte are Johnny Damon, who batted .290 with four home runs and 13 RBI in the 2003 and 2004 playoffs with the Red Sox.

Damon also was five years younger then.

Obviously the postseason track record of Alex Rodriguez has been well-documented since his epic failures. Rodriguez seems more relaxed during the regular season, taking an approach of focusing only on baseball, but will that translate to a tough spot in the playoffs.

On the mound, C.C. Sabathia has not fared well in the postseason, but his easy-going nature seems to suggest he is someone who could do well.

A.J. Burnett has never been to the postseason and his last eight starts have not been good. The Yankees are counting on him in a big way and he still could recover but it's a significant question.

In 1998, the Yankees have David Cone, a proven winner with Toronto and the 1996 Yankees and David Wells. Those guys thrived in big spots and neither Sabathia or A.J. will.

The Yankees are a more relaxed group than previous years and have their best shot at a title since 2003. But until they accomplish it, let's hold off on the 1998 comparisons.