The Yankees have played pretty good baseball all year long. They have had the best record, and have sat proudly atop the AL East for the majority of the season. But suddenly, things aren't looking so good for the Yankees - and I don't know why. I thought things would start getting better for the Yankees now, but that has not been the case. I know it sounds silly, but I just can't help but to worry: are the Yankees collapsing?
Even though the Yankees have played well this season, they have scuffled for the past month or so. I thought they would turn around once Andy Pettitte returned, because Andy would solidify their shaky rotation. To my surprise, the Yankees are 2-5 since Pettitte's return. Andy pitched well in his first game back, but the Yankees couldn't win it. In his second start, Andy pitched quite poorly. If the Yankees are going to win this year, Andy Pettitte's success is crucial. In my opinion, Pettitte is their best starter aside from CC, and he is killer on the road. In a short ALDS, Andy Pettitte is a deadly weapon.
I put this pressure on Andy because frankly, the rest of the rotation is a giant question mark. A.J. Burnett has been a huge disappointment this season. His inconsistency has ruined him mentally, and I just don't think I can trust him in the postseason. Javy Vazquez is well...Javy Vazquez. I think he's only going to succeed against National League teams, but that won't help the Yankees too much - they have to reach the World Series first. If Vazquez can't help the Yankees in the ALDS or ALCS, then who do they use?
Phil Hughes is in uncharted territory with his innings, and from now to the end of the season, every time he goes out there we won't know what he's going to give us. And the other youngster, Ivan Nova, can't seem to pitch over 5 innings without imploding.
This is a serious problem. We know that CC is #1, but after that, who are the Yankees going to use? I guess their only option is A.J. Burnett for game 2, but he's just so bad...Then game 3 is Andy, who better straighten himself out. But what about Hughes? Should he start, or is it safer to use him in relief? Same question with Nova. And Javy? I don't even think the Yankees should bring him. Even if he is sometimes good in relief, I think it is because he feels that there isn't as much pressure coming out of the 'pen. But in the playoffs, everything is pressured - and there is no way Javy will succeed if he feels pressured.
I said it once, and I'll say it again because I was right: the Yankees should have gotten another starting pitcher at the trade deadline when they had the chance, because now they are somewhat screwed.
Another serious issue is the bullpen, which was so strong throughout the entire season. Mariano will be fine. Kerry Wood is fantastic, and I think he should be the 8th inning guy. Boone Logan has done well. But aside from those three, I don't trust anyone. David Robertson has complained about a back issue. If he unable to perform, that is a big blow for the Yankees. Robertson has been so important this year...they need him. Then there is Joba...they should have traded him for Roy Halladay when they had the chance. He stinks and I can't take it anymore.
Solid pitching is of course the most important aspect of success in the playoffs, but the Yankee offense (or lack of, for that matter...) has worried me. Lately, it seems that whenever the Yankees fall behind, they just give up. Their at-bats are disgusting. They look dead at the plate. They make me sick when they play that way. And the worst part is that I can't pinpoint what the problem is - the offense in its entirety is just in a big fat slump.
I'm so stressed out over these Yankees. I love them more than anything in the world, and I just want them to win. I want to believe in my team, because I know they are good. But lately, they have drained away my optimism. Are they collapsing? I don't know. But if they make the postseason, I just don't think they have what it takes to win this year. The way they have played lately reminds me of the Yankees from the mid-2000s. And that's not good.
Yankees, convince me otherwise. Convince me that I'm being too uptight about all these so-called issues. Convince me that this slump is nothing more than just a slump. Convince me that you are not collapsing.
Convince me that everything will be all right.
by Virginia Califano
Questions? Comments? Contact Virginia at pinstripepartisan@fanvsfan.com
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