Our State of the Yankees column is back for its 10th installment with a third straight sweep, a lesson for the future stars of the Washington Nationals this weekend, and a rightful place as the best team in baseball. As always, we want to hear what you have to say about your favorite (or least favorite) team below in the comments section. And check back next week for the latest from the New York Yankees right here.
Opening Statement
To say the New York Yankees are playing the best baseball of the season would be a giant understatement. The Yankees have won nine games in a row and 12 of their last 13. They went from four games over .500 two weeks ago to 15 over today. They've taken over first place in the AL East and trail only the Don Mattingly-led Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in baseball. Nothing could be going better for the Yankees these days. This week, the Yankees swept the top two teams in the National League East, allowing just 12 total runs in six victories over the Braves and Nationals. That, of course, followed a three-game sweep against the rival Mets last weekend. The most impressive victories of them all had to come against the Nationals, who are the exact opposite of the Yankees. They are the young stars with the talent for not only the future but the present as well. The Yankees are the team with aging stars and a bleak future. Well, in this series, the Yankees taught the young kids a lesson. Overall, the pitching, from CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Phil Hughes, Ivan Nova and Andy Pettitte, has been simply outstanding. The offense has finally started to get enough big hits in key situations. Together, it's a scary scenario for the rest of baseball.
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| Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano against Atlanta. (AP photo) |
The High Point
When you're in the midst of a long win streak, just like the one the Yankees are on now, the next victory always seems like the biggest one. Every single victory surpasses the last simply because when the total gets higher and higher the stakes get bigger and bigger. But we'll go with the one game the Yankees could have actually lost on this stretch, the 5-3, 14-inning victory over the Nationals Saturday afternoon. It wasn't the best game by the Yankees at the plate, as they were 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position entering the 14th inning, but they finally got the job done. Derek Jeter made it 1-for-15 with a base hit, but Jayson Nix, who opened the inning with an infield single and stolen base, couldn't score on the play. After Curtis Granderson struck out, Mark Teixeira came up and bashed a double to score both Nix and Jeter and give the Yankees a 5-3 lead. Rafael Soriano made it interesting in the bottom half, allowing two singles, but ended up getting the save after a long, long afternoon. Their were other highlights as well, with Dewayne Wise throwing out a runner at home plate that would have given the Nationals the lead in the eighth. Freddy Garcia (remember him?) pitched two innings for the victory. And, maybe biggest of all, it was the first game this season where the Yankees won a game without hitting a home run.
The Low Point
Brett Gardner, the Yankees speedy left fielder, is going to miss another three to four weeks, an obvious blow to the team going forward. He's been on the disabled list for all but nine games this season, twice failing in comeback attempts during rehab assignments. He has an elbow muscle strain, a bone bruise and joint inflammation. Gardner brings speed to the Yankees, something they just don't have without him, making him a needed piece in the quest for a world title. Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones have taken his place in the starting lineup, and while both have had their moments this season, Gardner is the better option, especially in the outfield. In good injury news, David Robertson has returned from the DL. |
| Ivan Nova has been great in his last three starts. (AP photo) |
Three Up
Ivan Nova: The young starter was outstanding in two starts this week, beating both the Braves and Nationals in dominating fashion. He allowed no runs on five hits over seven innings against Atlanta and followed that up pitching seven and a third innings against Washington, allowing one run on seven hits. Nova is now 9-2 on the year with a 4.32 ERA. He's allowed just two earned runs in his past 22 and two thirds innings.
Phil Hughes: I hope all those calling for Hughes' removal from the starting rotation have finally calmed down. We've written here in past State of the Yankees columns that Hughes was the best pitcher for the rotation, and he has proven that over his past three starts. He's allowed just four earned in those three starts, against the Tigers, Mets and Nationals, and earned victories each time. He's 7-5 on the season with a 4.50 ERA.
Cody Eppley: You might not know much about him, but Eppley is quickly becoming a trusted member of the bullpen. He's allowed three hits and no runs in his last six appearances, totaling five and a third innings, picking up a pair of holds. He has a 2.76 ERA and 1.27 WHIP this season.
Three Down
Cory Wade: The one lowlight of the week came in Saturday's extra-innings win over the Nationals. With the Yankees leading 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth, Wade came on in relief of Andy Pettitte. He got the first two outs but then allowed a 403-foot home run to Ian Desmond that tied the game. Wade's been good this season, with a 2.89 ERA and 1.00 WHIP, but this was the worst moment in an otherwise great week.
Raul Ibanez: The Yankees part-time outfielder went 1-for-15 this week with a home run and a pair of RBI. Ibanez's struggles are magnified considering the latest injury news surrounding Gardner. He's batting .239 on the season, but does have 10 homers and 32 RBI.
Russell Martin: I think we all thought Martin was catching fire and would go on a tear that would last a couple weeks. That didn't happen. The catcher went 1-for-18 this week, dropping his season average to .199. He went 0-for-6 in Saturday's extra-innings win over the Nationals.
What's Next?
For some reason, the Yankees play the Atlanta Braves for the second time this season, with just one series between those matchups. Sabathia opens the three-game set at home Monday night. Then the Yankees head to Citi Field for the Subway Series with the Mets next weekend. All three are night games, with the finale the Sunday night ESPN showcase. That game also features Sabathia against R.A. Dickey.
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