Fansided

Yankees have tough road ahead in MLB playoffs

By Rucker Haringey

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 04: Manger Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees looks inform the dugout before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 4, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 04: Manger Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees looks inform the dugout before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 4, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 14: Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton (65) during the regular season game between the Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners on August 14, 2018, at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, CA. (Photo by Samuel Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 14: Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton (65) during the regular season game between the Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners on August 14, 2018, at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, CA. (Photo by Samuel Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Seattle Mariners

James Paxton is the real reason the Mariners have the edge over the Athletics on this list. His ability to completely shut down the Yankees offense in a single game is a real concern for Boone and Co. New York would like to avoid playing against Paxton in a must-win game.

That could be really difficult if the Mariners pick up their game and make the playoffs as the other wild card team. The Yankees would much prefer to see Oakland in that type of one game, winner-take-all scenario.

Seattle does get a little easier to face in a longer series. Mike Leake and Wade LeBlanc are pitching well this year, but Felix Hernandez looks like he’s at the end of his career. Not having him to leverage in big-game situations will be tough for the Mariners.

On the offensive side of things, this is a pretty deep lineup. Jean Segura is likely the best of the bunch, but he’s got plenty of help. There may not be a true MVP-caliber player in the lineup, but guys like Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz can stress pitchers out with their power. That ability could wear down an opponent over a long series.

In the end, Seattle’s lack of a real high-end hitter drops them to No. 4 on this list. The Yankees wouldn’t relish the chance to face the Mariners in the postseason, but there are certainly teams they’d fear more.

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