NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
10 days into the month of August and it is a dog fight in the American League for a spot in the postseason. The Yankees are struggling and holding on to one of two wild card spots and also trying to get things right. Sitting at 60-42 and 4-6 in their last ten games, it has been a bumpy second half for the Bronx Bombers. Now comes the injury to C.C. Sabathia knee his MRI came back clean which is great news, he is needed to be on his game to help lead the squad to the promised land. How affective will he be witha bulky knee is the question.The Yanks have some help on the way in the form of Greg Bird, Sterlin Castro, and Aaron Hicks. With the way the offense has been lately, they will take all the bats they can get.
Of bigger concern is the play of the young big 3 who are in a slump. Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, and Clint Frazier. Getting runs has been painful to watch as of late, and this habit of leaving runners on base is getting old. The life blood of the offense is the big 3 and the time to shake off the bad mojo and get things moving is now. If there is one category you don’t want to be leading its most strikeouts since the all star break and Aaron Judge holds that title. Do the Yanks sit him for a few games? You can’t let the fans who still worship Judge influence a sound choice to help the team. With each game, the road to the postseason becomes harder. Did we all just drink way too much of the “we are back” kool aid and now seeing the REAL Yankees?
One thing that I think any fan of baseball and not just Yankee fans can agree on is the bullpen is nasty. By adding old face David Robinson and Tommy Kahnle to the pen a weakness is now a strong point and only getting better. Dellin Betances, Aroldis Chapman, Adam Warren, Chad Green make up a strong group. But again without any run support, the pen could become worn out quickly. In the end hopefully last nights 11-5 win highlighted by RUNS and a great performance by the pen to shut the Blue Jays down. That is the kind of game the doctor ordered.
The time is NOW for these Yankees to make it happen or has this season been what I expected since day one a building one. Time will tell if Pinstripe Pride is alive and well.
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