The Yankees have a few obvious flaws – the current back end of their rotation, their now ex-closer’s hellacious slump and their hit-and-miss weatherman come to mind – but this team could still easily win their league.
There’s been some frustration early despite their standing. “Worst first-place team I’ve ever seen,” was a phrase heard earlier. That’s hyperbole, of course, and with a few adjustments and improvements (plus better health), they may actually wind up showing they are the best of the worst rather than the reverse. By some weird quirk, the five strongest teams just might be in the National League.
What that means is this: Even these inconsistent, injury-diminished Yankees have 1) an excellent chance to win the pennant, and 2) absolutely no excuse not to (despite their spring from hell).
After sweeping the sagging Blue Jays Sunday at The Stadium in a doubleheader necessitated by Saturday’s mistaken rainout (more on that below), they are looking better. What’s more, help is coming. Luis Gil was given the go-ahead to start throwing (ahead of schedule), Jonathan Loaisiga is pitching in rehab games and D.J. LeMahieu is on the mend (yes, I know, we’ve heard that one before).