Can The Yanks Make Another Big Charge – Like Last Year?
Tomorrow AM, the Yankees will wake up and find themselves 8 games back, in the loss column, of the first place Tampa Bay Rays.
When was the last time that the Yankees were 8 games back (or more) of first, in the loss column, on August 10th of a full-season? That would be 1992. (Note: Full-season means a schedule of 162 games.)
That year – 1992 – was also the last time that the Yankees did not finish 1st or 2nd in the A.L. East.
That year – 1992 – was also the last season of a four-year period which has a strong claim towards being the worse run in the Yankees’ timeline – in terms of the team’s relative and collective shortcomings.
Then again, late last season, the Yankees were way back of first place…and they managed to get within 2 games of first – and also grab the Wildcard.
However, the Yankees were helped last season – in terms of getting close to first and winning the ‘card. The Red Sox, who finished in first in the East, went 16-15 in their last 31 games. And, in terms of the Wildcard chase, the two teams the Yankees had to worry about limped home too: The Tigers went 17-14 in their last 31 games and the Mariners went 15-18 in their last 33 games.
So, for the Yankees to get close, again, this year, they’re going to need the Rays and Red Sox to not play very well from here out. Ditto the White Sox and Twins.
But, what are the odds of the Yankees starting to winning games, often, while Tampa Bay, Boston, Chicago and Minnesota just play around .500 ball? Based on what we’ve seen lately – I think it’s between slim and none.
The Yanks can go on a run, but it is dependent on Arod, Jeter and Company. I mean how many more trades can be made? Many Yankees are underperforming and that is a problem no amount of help or change can fix.
Once more, the Yanks didn’t really have the threat of a third team contending in the AL East for these last few years( Toronto sometimes faked it,but never fufilled that promise) but the Rays are here. The Yanks have the talent to go on the Wild Card hunt, but is it too much too late? It’s starting to feel that way……..
The Yanks have no shot at the division, this team is not capable of making up a 7 game deficit over the D-rays…
I live in the OC and i went to the game today, absolutely terrible. Felt so soryr for Giese, he pitched very well and i think Joe G made the right call taking him out despite the low pitch count…
Anothr ARod homer with no one on base. And in the top of the seventh the whole stadium called his strikeout, everyone and their dog knew it, two on two out.. Strike_rod..
I think the team does not deserve to be in the post-season – sad but true – they will be one and done in the ALDS. I donno what happened in the 8th the roof caved in.
Oh that and the curse of the “rally monkey” i got my “funny” back, when the Angels fans were convinced that the 8 run inning was coz of them showing the rally monkey… couldnt stomach this one..
Be nice to A-Rod, srivinodh. Let’s not forget that in the fifth inning, “Mr. Clutch”, “Mr. November”, “Mr. I Drink Wine Coolers”, “Mr. I Make $21.6M this season” Derek Jeter struck out with two men on and two out….
Jeter’s struggles at the plate (.285/.347/.400), not A-Rod’s supposed lack of “clutchness”, is a more accurate indicator why the Yankees are currently closer to last place than first….
They can make another big charge, problem is they have a tendency to negate those charges.
One thing potentially working against the Yanks vis a vis the Sox is the schedule, with something like 19 of the final 28 at Fenway. That’s one reason why they shouldn’t play as badly down the stretch; another one is that they have no guarantee of making the playoffs and therefore you won’t see them take the chance of resting key guys who really need it. That strategy paid off in October but also helped to tighten the division race.
JE, i am not letting anyone slide on this. And my frustration is not solely on ARod, but he is your cleanup hitter… – gosh i never though i wud say this – can the contrast between wt the Sox fans expect when Ortiz-Manny came to plate be any diff from wt we expect when ARod comes to plate
i am not a blind Jeter supporter, heck he is having a very average year… but ARod…. i donno, just so down on this team. One loss does not a season make, but wt i saw on the field didnt look like a top-4 AL team.