Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Are the Yankees Really in Trouble?

Most would answer this question yes...with perhaps a bit of hesitation. I agree they're in trouble, but they can come back, can't they?

Maybe not. Much has already been made about how quiet the Yankees bats have been save Game 1. Since that game, New York is hitting an catastrophic .168. It's not any better with runners in scoring position. That average drops to .111. Oh, the bats woke up toward the end of Game 1, but those bats have been pretty much silent since then.

There are only two Yankees hitting over .300. Robinson Cano (.407) has been the thorn in the Rangers' side. Curtis Granderson (.318) has provided a bit of hitting from the bottom of the order. Derek Jeter is next at .281. The next Yankees starter is Brett Gardner. His average? A sparkling .227.

New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia throws to the Texas Rangers in the first inning during Game 1 of their Major League Baseball ALCS playoff series in Arlington, Texas, October 15, 2010. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)
Can CC cure the Yankees ails?
And now, the Yankees will rely on 21-game winner CC Sabathia. Usually, a good thing, but CC was hittable in Game 1. He lasted only four innings, allowed 5 runs on 6 hits. The most notable hit was Josh Hamilton's first-inning three-run homer. The other damaging hit was a 4th inning, two-run double by Michael Young.

And the task isn't any easier. C.J. Wilson, the self-proclaimed "little Cliff Lee", takes the hill today. Wilson completely foiled the Yankees for 7 innings allowing only the one run in the 7th before the Ranger bullpen imploded and delivered a win to New York. Wilson was charged for three runs and deserved a far better fate.

Some will say that this series should already be over if not for that ill-fated collapse in Game 1. Outside of the 5 run, top of the 8th in Game 1, the Yankee bats have been uncharacteristically silenced.

And they must now plow on without first baseman Mark Teixeira. Tex was having an atrocious series at the plate (0-for-14), but his glove has always found a way to help ease that lack of production. That glove is now gone due to a hamstring deciding to give. Yankees skipper Joe Girardi has yet another hole to fill. This one is huge.

Today's game will be different. Wilson will be pitching in an extremely hostile environment. Sabathia was 11-2 with a 3.00 ERA at Yankee Stadium this season.

New York can win today. Texas hasn't exactly played well at home either, but they do have the confidence knowing they can get to CC and that Wilson can once again baffle Yankee hitters. It's not a given that the Rangers celebrate today.

Comeback? Possible. Just not seeing it.

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