Yankees Poised for Big Run, But Can They Repeat?

No team ever won a trophy for leading their division wire to wire. As a matter of fact in today’s version of baseball, even getting into the playoffs as a Wild Card is enough to earn a championship if the team is hot at the right time. Such is the regular season for the National Pastime – qualify for the playoffs and make noise in October.

That may in fact be the case for the New York Yankees this season, but not a certainty. They have had some key players miss time with injuries, have not played their best baseball while their ace, CC Sabathia, has one win in his last six starts. Even with all of that, the Bronx Bombers find themselves trailing the division leading Rays by a mere two games.

Tampa Bay has begun to fade a bit after a fast start and is 4-6 in their last 10 games. With three strong teams in the American League East including Boston (third place, 3 1/2 games behind), the Wild Card will in all likelihood come from this group. When it is all said and done, put you money on the Yanks. They have the most experience and will make the necessary moves before the trading deadline to lock up the division.

The class of not only the ‘junior circuit’ but all of baseball, keep your dime on the Yankees to repeat as world champions.  Still not convinced? Take a look at their rotation. The rest of the starters have picked up Sabathia and his 4.14 ERA, with A.J. Burnett (6-3, 3.72), Andy Pettitte (7-1, 2.47), Philip Hughes (7-1, 2.54) shouldering the load. Even Javier Vasquez has turned it around and has been very effective of late. Every team may be a little thin in middle relief, and the Yankees are no exception. But the other clubs don’t have Mariano Rivera to call on in the late innings. The ageless wonder has converted 12 of 13 saves and has an ERA under two.

Playoff time is synonymous with the Yankees, and that is a tough pill to swallow for their rivals. A steady club that can turn it on when needed, they will be hard to unseat.

Photo by Bill Menzel

Related Posts

• 
  Hall of Fame to Hold Transpacific Baseball Exhibit Press Conference on Sunday, April 21 at Yankee Stadium
• 
  Yanks Sign RHP McKinley Moore
• 
  C BEN RICE AND RHP CHASE HAMPTON NAMED WINNERS OF YANKEES 2023 KEVIN LAWN AWARDS FOR MINOR LEAGUE “POSITION PLAYER OF THE YEAR” & “PITCHER OF THE YEAR”