SPANISH HARLEM – As the New York Yankees approach the end of the baseball season, I can honestly say I have no idea what this team really is. They are in a good position to win the AL East but there is no way to know how the rest of the season will play out. It is not as bad as it was a couple of weeks ago with all the losses piling up, but they also haven’t been at their best. They continue to win games with some terrible series losses to bottom feeding teams. Let’s take a look at What I Know, What Makes Me Worried, What I Hope For.
What I Know
This is built around Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Without them, the Yankees would be a middle of the pack team. When those two are hot, they have the ability to win a bunch of games but when they are not, nobody is there to pick up the slack. Austin Wells has played great of late in the middle of the lineup, but it is still not enough.
What I’m Worried About
Gerrit Cole has been good this year, he started the season on the IL and has pitched some good games but nothing great. He needs to be great for this Yankees team to go far in the playoffs and I’m not sure he can get there. The rest of the staff is not frightening anyone, there is no clear-cut number two unless you safe with Rodon or Luis Gil.
The bullpen is starting to get healthy but some of the players have not logged enough innings where you feel they will be ready to step into high pressure situations and come out on top. I’m not sure we have a closer on this team, but they will make do with Clay Holmes – and believe me when I tell you – he will be the Yankees closer come playoffs.
As for the offense, please read What I Know again.
What I Hope For
World Series or bust, there is no other way to put it when you are a Yankees fan. Do I feel confident, at the moment absolutely NOT. It takes a getting hot on offense at the right time (which they are not at the moment), great all-around pitching from the starters and bullpen and a bit of luck. While all is possible, it doesn’t mean it will happen.
That’s it for now, please come back tomorrow for Jackson Sternberg.
