Playoff Hopes Hang in the Balance for the Bombers

The New York Yankees usually feel more comfortable about the postseason around this time of year. However, this season has had its major ups and downs. After leading the American League East at the beginning of the season, injuries and inconsistent offense has plagued the Bronx Bombers in their quest to deliver one final postseason run for the Captain, Derek Jeter. In order for the Yankees to complete this quest they are going to have to defy some pretty tough odds and they might need a little help from a couple of their fellow competitors.

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Currently the Yankees are 9 1/2 games out of the division behind the Baltimore Orioles. So we can almost assume the division is pretty much wrapped up. However, the Bronx Bombers are only 4 1/2 games out of a wild card spot behind Oakland, Seattle, Detroit, and Cleveland. Here is why those four teams are four good teams for the Yankees to be behind. Notice how between those four teams, there are two pairs of divisions. The Seattle Mariners and the Oakland Athletics are both in the American League West and the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians both reside in the American League Central Division. Both of those pairs of division rivals are battling for their respective division crowns. This could play as an advantage to the Yankees, as they could possibly sneak past three of those four teams as they battle each other for the division titles. Basically, if they beat each other up, the Yankees could make a “dark horse” push to the postseason.

With 21 games remaining in the regular season, the Yankees need to be around the 90-win mark to even have a shot at the playoffs. So with a current record of 73 wins and 68 losses, the Yankees would have to win at least 14 games out of their 21 remaining. The Bronx Bombers play the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles in two four-game, home and away series. They also meet up with the rest of the American League East Division, headlined by a final three-game set at Fenway Park against their arch rivals in Boston.

With these odds, it looks like the Yankees playoff hopes are dwindling down each day. However, like the great ones in sports say, “That is why we play the game.”