Pinstripe Press
By Robin Vinci at September 21, 2023 | 8:45 am | Print
As I write this the New York Yankees are one game ahead of Baltimore in the division. Last week I would have predicted it to be the other way around. I have to admit the Yankees looked like a much better team this past week. Curtis Granderson remembered how to hit and that was the best thing for me.
Ivan Nova pitched well as did Phil Hughes.
I am also amazed at how much better Alex Rodriguez looks. Usually he talks a good game, but doesn’t show it. These games really matter and he is playing like it.
All in all, I like what I see across the board. Even Russell Martin is getting hits (especially home runs) where needed. He is.343 over his last 10 games with three home runs and 11 RBI.
And guess what? Andy Pettitte is back.
I am shocked to hear that Brett Gardner may be coming back this week as well. I thought he was gone for the season. And Mark Teixeira may return this weekend.
It really looks like things have turned in the favor of the Bronx Bombers.
Other than Oakland, the schedule favors the Yanks for the rest of the month as we take on Minnesota and Toronto. Toronto plays tough against us, but we are a better team right now than a month ago.
October sees the Yanks finish against the Red Sox who would love to be spoilers.
The Orioles also play Boston and Toronto, but their last three games are at Tampa Bay. The Rays have fallen to 5 games back, but are still in the wild card hunt.
Although I think the Yanks can pull out the division at this point, I’m not so sure how they will fair in the playoffs. The Texas Rangers in particular look awfully tough.
