Series Preview: The Yankees & White Sox

Aug 21, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli (29) and New York Yankees starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (38) celebrate after a game against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees defeated the Astros 3-0, and McCarthy pitched a complete game four hit shut out. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees enter play Friday night, clinging to dear life for a possible post-season berth. Forget the AL East divisional crown. The Baltimore Orioles aren’t going to be stopped. Buck Showalter has taken a group and done with them, what Joe Girardi was expected to do and hasn’t. Even with the injuries to the starting rotation, the poor and inconsistent hitting all season, and some mind-boggling moves from the skipper at times, the Bombers find themselves just 4 1/2 games out of the second wild card spot with about 5 weeks to go in the season. With the Detroit Tigers in a tailspin, the Yankees need to take full advantage of their schedule, which although isn’t a cakewalk, is definitely manageable if the team can somehow find a way to start playing up to their ability over the final month of the season.

The Chicago White Sox, although a nice surprise during the first half of the season, have tailed off badly, and enter the Bronx almost a dozen games under .500. At least Robin Ventura is the guy in the dugout tempering expectations, as his predecessor, Ozzie Guillen would’ve had a coronary by now at the poor season the Southsiders have displayed. The one highlight of the season for the pale hose, is the emergence of rookie first baseman, Cuban defector, Jose Abreu. Nothing will stop this young slugger from bringing home the American League Rookie of the Year Award, and he could play a key part in how the White Sox do at the Stadium this weekend against the Yankees. Let’s get to our series preview.