If they were six lengths south of the even mark, the Yankees’ sky would be falling fast and Joe Girardi’s job status would be played out on the Post’s back page.
Instead, after completing a three-game sweep of the Rangers with a 5-2 victory yesterday in front of 44,121 at Yankee Stadium that was fueled by Andy Pettitte’s latest solid outing, the defending World Champions are a half-dozen games over .500 and look like a team pouring the foundation for an intoxicating season.
Sure, there are 150 games remaining. Tampa Bay is for real, and don’t be fooled by the Red Sox staggering out of the gate. Still, the Yankees have won nine of 12 and all four series without much from Mark Teixeira, Nick Johnson, Nick Swisher and Javier Vazquez.
The 9-3 opening is the Yankees’ best start since 2003, when they won 10 of the initial 12.
Working without his best stuff, Pettitte grinded through the early frames and then retired 17 of the final 19 hitters. The two of those who reached were on walks.
“I was in survival mode, trying to get through innings and not get hurt too bad,” said Pettitte, who gave up two runs, four hits and a walk in the opening 21⁄3 innings. “And then it went to knowing where you wanted to throw the ball the last four innings. I felt fortunate to get through this game.”
Brought back to fill the No. 3 starter’s role, the 37-year-old Pettitte is pitching like a staff ace. He is 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA in three starts.
“I feel like I know how to pitch,” said Pettitte, who induced Ryan Garko into a 6-4-3 double play to negate walking Nelson Cruz to open the second. “I came back to win a championship. There is nothing else except to win a championship.”
Teixeira ended a 40-at-bat stretch without a homer by starting the third with a towering drive over the right-field wall off Rich Harden (0-1).
He also contributed to the fourth straight victory with two sensational plays in the field.
Ramiro Pena replaced an ailing Derek Jeter (head cold) and provided a two-out, two-run single in the third that snapped a 2-2 tie.
Jorge Posada’s hot start continued with a bases-empty homer to right in the seventh. Posada is hitting .378 (14-for-37) with three homers and six RBIs in 10 games.
Mariano Rivera recorded the final three outs for his fifth save in as many chances.
It was the 65th time Rivera saved a victory for Pettitte. That is the all-time record.
No one expects the Yankees to play .750 ball until October. Even the best teams take a dip, but the first dozen games have provided a glimpse of a team that pitches well, doesn’t beat itself (no errors in the last 10 games) and has a dependable pen anchored by Rivera.
“There will be a stretch where we struggle a bit,” Posada predicted. “We have to minimize that.”
Solid starting pitching can do that.
And when the No. 3 starter has the stats Pettitte has produced, it is a blueprint for staying away from extended losing streaks.
“Right now we are playing extremely well,” Girardi said. “I like the way we are playing, the starting rotation is on a roll, we are fundamentally sound, the bullpen has been solid, we are scoring runs and not all by the home run. Usually when you put all that together you get off to a good start.”
george.king@nypost.com