Game 126 Preview: Yankees Look To (Finally) Get On A Roll

Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Keys To Yankees Victory

An obvious key to victory for the Yankees will be how their offense does. According to Chase Headley, before yesterday’s game, him and some of the position players got together, to “clear the air,” and say “enough is enough.” He was obviously referring to the Yankees’ lack of consistent offense. While the Yankees didn’t break out in yesterday’s game, only plating three runs, in the second inning, they were able to do something that they haven’t been for the better part of the season…hit with runners in scoring position. In that inning, with runners on second and third, with nobody out, a classic one run, or possibly even no runs situation for the Yankees, Headley was able to come through with a bases clearing double. He then moved to third on a Francisco Cervelli groundout, and scored on a sac fly off the bat of Ichiro Suzuki. The Yankees were able to scored THREE runs in that situation. If they can keep up that kind of clutch hitting with runners on, they’re going to win a lot more games.

Another key will be how well Shane Greene does. The Yankees’ starting rotation has been dominant ever since the All-Star break. Game after game, after game, it seems as though a Yankee starter throws a great game, but the Yankees just aren’t able to score enough runs to win. If they can start consistently hitting in the clutch, the way they did yesterday, to go along with the dominant pitching, this will be a dangerous team the rest of the way.