Small Setback? Hope so!

It’s been a rocky month so far for the Yankees. Although they’re leading the AL East with a 62-44 record, there is a great deal of competition for that first place spot, as well as for the wild card. It doesn’t take a lot for a team to lose a few games and slip back in the division. I hope that isn’t the case for the Yanks! I truly believe that they will get back on track and have consistent pitching and continue their awesome offense through the rest of August and hold onto first place.

My previous post talked about Ichiro and whether it was a good move for the Yanks or not. I think it was a great, strategic move. Although Suzuki is older, he is an ideal outfielder, which the Yankees needed with Brett Gardner out, and as Kevin Long, the Yankees hitting coach said, Ichiro is one of the best at always getting bat to ball. He extended his hitting streak to eleven yesterday against the Mariners, but it just wasn’t enough for the Yanks to take that game. They lost 1-0. Hiroki Kuroda pitched a great game, but the Yankee offense just couldn’t find it’s groove to overcome that 1-0 lead. Great pitching by both teams.

The Yanks played their best against the Red Sox, but it ultimately came down to two great teams, playing great at the time trying to get a win. The Red Sox are very hungry for any win they can get due to the wild card situation and how good and competitive each team is right now. My favorite game in the Yankee-Red Sox rivalry has to be when Padilla pitches. In both series this season Mark Teixeira got a home run against Padilla and that just makes me so happy! Even though Padilla might be a good pitcher, I don’t like him because of his reputation in the game. I love to see the Yanks get revenge on him, but it’s even better when Teixeira does because of their past! Go Mark!

It was a rough beginning to the three game set against the Orioles but the Yanks stopped them from sweeping and won the third game 12-3. Their offense was really happening that day! Typically a home run team, I am seeing more of the Yanks driving in more runs, especially Nick Swisher. Since coming back from his injuries he has really been hitting long drives and has more RBI’s as a result of it. That is what the Yanks need heading into the later part of the season. They can’t just rely on home runs (even though they do make a HUGE difference!). They have to be able to score more runs by getting base hits, which is what they’re starting to do much better as of late.

The Yanks have taken one out of two games so far in their matchup with the Mariners, and we will see what happens in the rubber game today. Garcia (2-2) will be on the mound for the Yankees, who will be up against Iwakuma (4-5). I have my doubts about Garcia on the mound, but hopefully his performances will improve. I still think Garcia should not be a starter but with Pettitte out, the Yankees really need all the backup for the starting rotation. Will the Yankees pick up and continue their awesome offense to help Garcia or will the inconsistency continue?