As of today, the New York Yankees are in first place in the ultra competitive American League East with a record of 66-39—not to mention they have the best record in baseball.
At first glance, it looks pretty good, right?
The Yankees have dropped three out of four games to division rivals: two against Tampa Bay and one against Toronto.
Yesterday’s loss to Toronto put the Yankees in a tie with Tampa for the division lead.
And remember the Boston Red Sox? The team that is 6.5 games behind the Yankees and Rays? They are getting healthier and beginning to play better, so do not discount the Sox, especially with the Yankees’ September schedule.
To look ahead, the Yankees face off against the Red Sox in the Bronx for a four-game set starting on Friday. In September, the Yankees play the Red Sox six times, including the final series of the regular season at Fenway Park.
Also, the Yankees play the Rays seven times in September (13-15, 20-23). So this division is still up for grabs.
Is it time to panic? Absolutely not. It is time to enjoy what could be a very interesting race going down the stretch. Don’t forget, the Yankees have a 6.5-game lead over Boston, so even if the Yankees do struggle, they have some cushion.
The Yankees don’t have to worry just yet. They just need to be mindful.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nick Swisher against Ricky Romero is batting .444, but with zero HRs and RBI in 14 plate appearances and only one strikeout. Perhaps today is when Nick can get some numbers in the HR and RBI categories against Romero.
Alex Rodriguez is hitting .308 against Romero with zero HRs and only one RBI. Today looks like a good day for Alex to get his 600th career home run, and his first against Romero.
Robinson Cano does not have great numbers against Romero, hitting .154 with one HR and two RBI. But lately Cano has been hitting everyone, so numbers in this case do not mean anything.
A-ROD WATCH
Alex Rodriguez is still stuck on 599 career home runs. It has been 11 games since 599, and lately Alex has been struggling at the plate period. He has been held hitless in his last 14 at-bats.
Joe Girardi said, “It’s not the longest drought he’s had during the course of the year, not hitting a home run. It’s going to happen. You just want him to continue to try to have good at-bats and try not to think about it too much.” (Yankees.com Tim Britton and Didier Morais)
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