Believe it or not, the Yankees are pretty similar to most other teams in one respect - their success hinges on a player or two carrying the team. Early in the year, it was Robinson Cano. Later, it was Mark Teixeira. Still later, Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher shouldered the team. Unfortunately, the Yankees are losing right now because none of their players are hot.
There's a simple remedy to the arctic bats in New York: Alex Rodriguez. He was just getting his power back when that calf injury cropped up, and his expected return in the next week would likely catapult the Yankees into a hot streak just like it did last May. Simply relieving the pressure on Cano (who is, frankly, dreadful in key situations) by moving him down in the lineup would be a big help.
Of course, there's never one reason for a team's struggles. The Yankee starting pitching staff has also been dreadful recently. Unfortunately, there's no A-Rod around the corner to rescue the pitchers. Andy Pettitte would straighten things out in a big hurry (the Yankees have struggled at 20-17 since his last start), but he isn't due back for at least another two weeks. So the starters will just have to ride things out until Pettitte can come back and save the day.
Naturally, ESPN is buzzing about how resiliant the Yankees have been in the last month or so whilst missing their best hitter and their second-best pitcher. Wait - ESPN (which should be known as RSN - Red Sox Nation) is too busy lauding the Red Sox for their resiliance in overcoming their injuries to pay any attention to the li'l ol' Yankees team.
Hydra
6-4-3 double play... Ballgame over! Yankees win! Theeeeeee Yankees win!
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