07/12/2006 3:35 PM ET
Yankees Midterm Report
In stronger AL, club concerned only with division crown
By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com
NEW YORK -- Looking up at the Red Sox is becoming a regular thing for the
Yankees at the break, so pardon them if they're not pressing the panic
button just yet.
Last season, New York overcame a 5 1/2-game deficit on Aug. 10 to capture
the American League East title on the final weekend of the season. This
year, the Yankees will not only have to catch the Red Sox, but hold off
the surging Blue Jays as well, as the AL East has become a three-horse
race.
With the White Sox and Tigers posting incredible seasons to this point,
the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays may have just one avenue to the
postseason -- the division title.
The Yankees suffered major losses with injuries to Hideki Matsui and
Gary Sheffield, and the offense struggled to find consistency after
losing the two All-Star hitters. It will be up to players like
Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon, Robinson Cano
and Jorge Posada to pick up the slack in the second half.
Club MVP: As consistent as Jeter has been this season, Giambi's power
numbers have helped make up for the loss of Sheffield and Matsui in the
middle of the Yankees' lineup. Over the past calendar year, Giambi has been
one of the top producers in the game, providing many big moments for New York.
Call him 'Ace': With Randy Johnson struggling for much of the first half,
Mike Mussina stepped up and showed why he is still the best pitcher on the
staff. Mussina posted quality starts in each of his first 12 outings, and
he has given the Yankees a chance to win just about every time he has taken
the mound.
Greatest strength: It may be obvious to label Mariano Rivera as the Yankees'
biggest strength, but the future Hall of Famer is posting yet another superb
season as New York's closer. Rivera blew just two saves in the first half,
including one in which he did not allow a baserunner. As long as Rivera is
in the bullpen, the Yankees are basically playing eight-inning games.
Biggest problem: Kyle Farnsworth was supposed to give the Yankees stability
in the eighth inning, but the right-hander has been wildly ineffective during
the first half. Farnsworth needs to be more consistent setting up Rivera,
though the return of Octavio Dotel should help in that area, too.
Biggest surprise: Andy Phillips and Scott Proctor weren't supposed to
contribute much at the big-league level this year, but both players have
emerged as major pieces of the Yankees' season. Phillips has become the
team's regular first baseman, allowing Giambi to serve as the designated
hitter on most nights. Proctor helped make up for the loss of the injured
Tanyon Sturtze, and while he has battled inconsistency over the past month,
he has been a big piece of the bullpen
Team needs: With Sheffield and Matsui not due back until late August or
early September, a deal for a corner outfielder could be on the horizon.
New York will also look for another starting pitcher, though the options
on the market appear to be limited.
Oh, doctor: Matsui and Sheffield were the major casualties of the first half,
each suffering severe left wrist injuries that will keep them sidelined for
much of the season. Matsui could return in August, while Sheffield is
targeting a September return.
Carl Pavano, who hasn't pitched in a game for the Yankees since last June,
is also working his way back from his latest injury. Pavano had a bone chip
removed from his right elbow in May, and he hopes to be back with the Yankees
at some point in August.
Cano, on the DL with a hamstring injury, should return right after the b
reak.
He said it: "You can't worry about the injuries. You can't sit around and
feel sorry for yourself; you have to go out and try to win games. You hope
it doesn't catch up to you. The bottom line is that they're not here, so we
have to find ways to get it done without them." -- Jeter, on the loss of
Sheffield and Matsui
Mark your calendar: The Yankees face a tough challenge right after the
break, hosting the World Series champion White Sox for three games in the
Bronx from July 14-16. A week later, the Yanks travel north for four games
against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
August brings the longest road trip of the second half, an 11-game journey
through Boston, Seattle and Anaheim. The trip kicks off with five games in
four days at Fenway Park from Aug. 18-21, the Yankees' last visit to Boston
this season.
The Red Sox visit the Bronx for four games in three days from Sept. 15-17,
while the Bombers close the season at home with three games against both
the Orioles and Blue Jays.
Fearless second-half prediction: The pitching staff turns it around,
A-Rod has a monster second half and the return of Matsui and Sheffield
spark the Yankees to a September surge for their ninth consecutive division
title.
Mark Feinsand is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to
the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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