MLB Team Outlook: New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are on a roll this season. With a win-loss record of 53-35, the Yankees are placed second in the American League East Division behind the Boston Red Sox who are 55-35 for the season.
The Yankees boast a strong batting line-up which is evident from their overall statistics. With 455 runs scored, they are placed third overall in the Majors. Similar is their team’s slugging power which is also ranked third overall with a slugging percentage
of .444.
The batting is headed by Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson, all of them receiving the All-Star call-up this year.
Derek Jeter’s return from the disabled list has added experience and class to the Yankees’ bull-pen and at the same time has helped improve their confidence. The short-stop completed 3000 career-hits this past Saturday on July 9 and the team now is upbeat
to finish top of the East Division to honour their unparalleled captain.
Robinson Cano is among the top batters in Major League Baseball. He has a batting average of .296 and has recorded 100 hits this season already, with the second half yet to play. Cano has scored 57 runs thus far which are the second-most by a Yankees’ player
this season. With a slugging percentage of .520, he is a complete package for any team and his active presence would be essential if the Yankees have to finish top.
Curtis Granderson has been in prime form this season. He has hit the most homers and recorded the most runs for the Yankees this season with 25 and 79 respectively. Granderson is slugging at .575 which is astonishing. He needs to carry on with this form
to help Yankees achieve fruitful results this season.
Alex Rodriguez is no more the hitting machine he used to be a few years back. He has lost his home-run hitting touch but nonetheless continues to be a fear for the opposition with his presence on the field. Entering the second half of the season, the Yankees
have suffered a blow with A-Rod out for at least a month due to a knee surgery. His absence will be felt at third base but it will be a good opportunity to test Eduardo Nunez’s mettle. Nunez has been in the pipeline for a place in the strong starting line-up.
The Yankees will however hope that A-Rod returns from the disabled list before the Yankees play a three-game series against the Red Sox on the road in August.
A major constituent of success for the Yankees this season has been strong teamwork. Their pitching has been complimenting their batting performances. Spearheading the pitching staff is CC Sabathia who has been a sensation at the mound this season. Sabathia
has recorded 13 wins and 126 strike-outs thus far at an ERA of 2.72. Mariano Rivera has been an excellent support for Sabathia with 22 saves in the first half of the season.
The Yankees now play a four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays on the road. The Blue Jays are struggling this season and it will be a good opportunity for the Yankees to eliminate the two-game advantage that Boston holds over New York.
In the previous ten games, the Yankees have a 6-4 record and are currently riding a two-game win streak. Fresh from the All-Star break, it will be interesting to see how the Yankees tackle the Blue Jays.
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