Listening to Yankees fans cry now, you would think that the team is fighting for a 3rd place spot in their division. The New York Yankees are tied for 1st place in the AL East with the Rays, and they own the best rotation in MLB. If the season ended today, they would be in the playoffs. The franchise has made the postseason 14 of the last 15 years, and they don’t disappoint very often. So, why are you guys worrying? Is it Joba Chamberlain? Mark Teixeira? Alex Rodriguez? The team hit a two-game losing streak..big whoop. It will happen a few more times this season.
There in 1st place! You can’t get any better than that. I admit, I’m a very optimistic person, but I don’t spend a lot of time worrying about the Yanks. Sure, this team could make a few changes, but this team is all set and ready to make a run at WS Championship #28. If the organization feels like it needs to make a move, it will. This isn’t a last place team with financial problems.
Don’t worry, be happy…
M. B. Rozell
Kevin Rozell
Well said.
Appearances can be deceiving. Yes, the Yanks have MLB’s best record. But dig a little deeper into the numbers and you can find plenty to worry about. Consider:
*5-6 in one-run games
*a measly team .231 BA and 84 OPS+ over the past two weeks
*Team .228 BA in clutch situations on the season
In short, this is a team that seems to lack…something. Call it heart, call it spunk; but it is lacking. When the pressure is on, great teams figure out a way to win. This one cracks and finds a way to lose. Until they start figuring out ways to win the close ones, I’ll remain concerned.
Very well put, Ray…I agree …this team lacks chemistry and the heart to win like last year. That magical feeling is not in the air like I felt it last year. We haven’t been playing that well and as Ray pointed out our numbers show it. We’re lucky we are in 1st place…to be honest with you…I think the Red Sox have a better team position by position right now. We got to get back to that fighting spirit and spunk we displayed last year or we are going to find ourselves looking up at the Rays and Red Sox. What happened to our Pinstripe Pride??? It’s not showing on the field right now and we can’t seem to beat up on the good teams. We are the World Champions…lets start showing other teams that we are the mighty Yankees and in charge…We better beat up on the Mets this weekend.
It’s those people who break down every regular season game that become worried…
When it comes down to it, this team will be in October…you can take it to the bank. If anything, the starting rotation this year is stronger than any other one they’ve had over the last 10 seasons. Pitching wins championships. The only cause for concern is the bullpen. And when the playoffs roll around..that leash around Mo opens up. They can use him as much as they need to in big situations.
Zell
Rosemari- Lacks chemistry and heart? Where do you get the idea they don’t have chemistry? I haven’t heard anything about that. I don’t understand the heart either. Just because they aren’t getting walk-offs every other day..that doesn’t mean this team isn’t any good.
Zell
Kevin-
The chemistry/heart issue is borne out by the numbers:
W L RPG RPGa Win %
Opp +.500 20 5 6.52 3.44 80.0%
Opp -500 23 21 4.91 4.32 52.3%
In other words, they’re terrific when playing terrible teams, but only a .500 club when playing somebody good. The numbers get even worse when playing teams with records above .550:
W L RPG RPGa Win %
Opp +550 13 16 5.31 5.96 44.8%
This is not a championship caliber team right now. As you said, champions need good pitching – 6 runs allowed per game is not good; it’s atrocious. You also have to pretty much figure that anyone you meet in October will be playing .550 ball or better, so this doesn’t bode too well.
But as I said, this is as the team is right now. Although I’ve never been a big fan of Cashman or Girardi, I’m pretty certain they’ve noticed the same trends and will make a couple of moves to bolster the team before the trading deadline – my guess is we can look for a new #2 hitter, probably a LH corner OF/DH type and another starter. Why another starter? Hughes has been impressive, but the Yankees aren’t going to let him get north of 180 innings, so my guess is he finishes the year in the pen. That strengthens the pen considerably, as well.
Every team has their up and downs. The yankees are a GREAT team, & they’ll come around. I just hopeeeee they win subway series round 2. I can’t stand those Mets fans.