Keys To A Series Win:
Get A-Rod and The Offense Going
Through seven games (25-at bats) this season the 40-year-old slugger, Alex Rodriguez, is hitting just .120 with only one home run.
It’s not the time to panic about the designated hitter, but the offense is raising some red flags. With runners in scoring position in the series with Toronto, the Yankees went 3-for-22.
Brett Gardner is batting .174, A-Rod batting .120, and Chase Headly is batting .150.
The Bombers’ three hits last tied a season low and they have scored two runs or fewer three times in 2016.
If the Yankees have any chance of winning not only this series but in terms of making the playoffs, they will need these bats to turn around and support the questionable starting pitching.
Shut Down Robinson Cano
Cano, like he did during his entire tenure in pinstripes, can change a game with one swing of the bat.
The key in this series is to no let the six-time American League All-Star get the big hit this series. In a game last July, Cano ripped two home runs and drove in all four runs a 4-3 Seattle victory over New York.
Distance From Starters (again):
This has been a stress for every game. Through eight games in 2016, not one Yankees starter has made to seven innings of work.
Nathan Eovaldi was the closest last night with his 6.2 innings of work in Toronto, but thus far, the bullpen has had to work it’s tail off to get through games.
The relievers have been spectacular, but it cannot last for the entire year if this team is going to win anything.
