Fansided

New York Yankees, MLB teams needing a second-half surge

By SJ Tuohy

Jul 18, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Brian Roberts (14) tags out Cincinnati Reds right fielder Jay Bruce (32) attempting to steal second base during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 18, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Brian Roberts (14) tags out Cincinnati Reds right fielder Jay Bruce (32) attempting to steal second base during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League infielder Derek Jeter (2) of the New York Yankees waves to the crowd as he is replaced in the fourth inning during the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League infielder Derek Jeter (2) of the New York Yankees waves to the crowd as he is replaced in the fourth inning during the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Yankees

Since we already started taking shots at Jeter, let’s knock the obvious out first. Gone are the days that it was a forgone conclusion the Yankees would be in the playoffs, and if they had a bad year maybe a wild card would be acceptable. The men in pinstripes are sitting at 47-47, five games back from the AL East leading Baltimore Orioles going into a huge (spoiler alert) series with the Cincinnati Reds.

It won’t be easy to make a run while having to nurse half of the starting pitching staff back to health, and missing every day starters like Brian McCann (day-to-day) and Carlos Beltran (7 day DL), but it can be done.  A lot has been made of the “win one for Jeter” rally cry, which I find stupid – and by no means is that a knock on Jeter, whom I do really like.

I would probably lean more towards “win one because we actually gave our pitchers some run support” cry. Or, “win one because our pay roll is $203,812,506, dammit” cry. New York is 22nd in the league in runs scored, not exactly a playoff stat. I guess whatever gets the job done will be fine. For Yankee fans, it could be worse: you could be in the Red Sox position. Then again, they spent their offseason celebrating a World Series while you argued over A-Rod. Oh well.

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