Yankees Look To Put The Squeeze On Red Sox

Jun 27, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) hits a two-run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

After last night’s dominating 6-0 victory over their bitter rival Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees now are in the driver seat to finish off the BoSox for the 2014 season. A sweep would almost guarantee a double-digit deficit for Boston in the highly-competitive American League East, and all but end a bid to repeat at World Series champions.

The Red Sox, as was previewed here at Yanks Go Yard, have struggled at the plate, and their lack of production continued last night against Vidal Nuno of all people. Stephen Drew had one of three Boston hits, but he continues to look like a player that missed spring training, hitting a whopping .135 on the season.

For the Yankees, Brett Gardner continues to show unprecedented power this season, knocking his seventh long ball out of the yard. The real story for the Yankees however, was the performance of Brian McCann. The catcher had an excellent night at the dish, going 2-for-4, with a pair of RBI and a bomb. If McCann and company can begin to provide support to Mark Teixeira–who has thus far in the season, been the only legitimate power threat, the Yankees might be able to finally put a string of wins together and show their strength in the division.

The Yankees are two games out, trailing both Baltimore and Toronto. If the bats wake up, it’s the Yankees’ division to lose. With the impending return of C.C. Sabathia shortly after the All-Star break, and hopefully Michael Pineda in August, the team could have the pitching to distance themselves from the other contenders. It starts this weekend, and with a sweep of Boston, could springboard the Bombers to not only burying their nemesis, but show the rest of baseball that this team could finally be for real.

If the Yankees make a deal for an upgrade at second base, along with any number of power arms discussed on this site, it’s the Yankees’ division to lose. That’s why baseball is the greatest sport on the planet. A bad month, two months, half a season, means absolutely nothing. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and the 2014 Yankees, by ending the season now for the Boston Red Sox, could prove that once again.