As they do close to twenty times a year the Red Sox and Yankees are facing off this week, and this time first place in the American League East is on the line. If that wasn’t enough after this series is over the Yankees, whether they are in first place or not will come face to face with three realities that are concerning heading into the home stretch of the season.
1. Mark Teixeira is not an elite first baseman. – Mark Teixeira while being paid like an elite first baseman, his production this year is not matching the bill. It’s not breaking news that Teixeira typically starts the season slow, but this season it seems to have lingered on longer than expected. Yes, he does have 35 home runs and he has knocked in 100 rbi’s but he is struggling outside of the homerun ball hitting a meger .249 at the plate despite his power. Instead of being mentioned in the same breath as Albert Pujols, this season his stats are closer to that of Mark Reynolds, who is posting 31 homers, 72 rbi’s and a .227 batting average. While Tex does have twenty plus more rbi’s that is most likely a factor of the protection he receives from a lineup filled with power hitters.
2. Alex Rodriguez will never be Derek Jeter.- Statistically A-Rod is on pace for a hall of fame career much like his team mate Derek Jeter, but this series with Boston magnifies why he will never match Derek Jeter. It was reported Wednesday morning that after missing the series opener, Rodriguez is expected to miss the three game series with a sore thumb. Jeter who most believe is the ultimate competitor, would never sit out a series against his arch rivals, especially if it was due to a sore thumb. At the end of the year A-Rod’s stats may shine once again but Yankees fans will look at Jeter once again as their club house leader.
3.The Yankees simply don’t have the pitching to win. – C.C. Sabathia is great, there is no disputing that, but after him the New York is left with more questions than answers. Phil Hues has been disaterous this season and is still lacking the command from last year. Bartolo Colon was impressive in the seasons first half but has lost his last three starts while surrendering 12 runs. A.J. Burnett is simply hoping to finish the season in Yankees starting rotation, despite a 9-11 record and ERA of 5.31. It appears the Yankees best number two starter would be rookie Ivan Nova, but can a rookie handle the pressure of pitching in Yankee stadium during the playoffs against the heavy hitting Red Sox or Texas Rangers?