The 2013 miracle Yankees were sailing right along even with even MORE injuries in May (Andy Pettitte, Curtis Granderson AGAIN, Ivan Nova, Chris Stewart, Travis Hafner) but things took an embarrassing hit when the lowly New York Mets swept the Yanks in 4 games by out- clutch hitting and out-pitching them. Let it be written that the pathetic Mets ended Mariano Rivera’s perfect 18/18 save streak.
That being said, the Yankees are still sitting pretty with the Wild Card as they head into a Red Sox weekend series starting tonight in NY. (Surprising Boston leads by 2 games over the Yanks.) I believe the Yanks took a huge hit in morale after Granderson was once again hit by pitch on his OTHER hand (broken pinky knuckle) and have lost 5 in a row.
Slumps and Cold Streaks
Clutch hits aside from these guys but: Travis Hafner’s infamous shoulder has killed his hot April…Austin Romine has to buy hits…Vernon Wells is around .220 this month…Ichiro actually has been worse at the plate…Gardner’s on base percentage is still below average…Cano’s May was pedestrian (I joked to DailySkew co-founder Tony Vahl that if Cano goes 0-5 the Yankees get shut out)…David Adams was pulling off a Shane Spencer/Kevin Maas week before turning into a pumpkin…Reid Brignac hasn’t done much yet…CC Sabathia is learning how to pitch with a 90-MPH fastball (I have faith in him).
Pleasant Suprises
Besides 3B David Adams, starter Vidal Nuno has been awesome, and reliever Preston Claiborne has been great.
As we head into June, Mark Teixeira is set to return, but I wouldn’t hold my breath on him because that wrist injury is very serious and I am skeptical about him believing he will be OK. It’s a shame Lyle Overbay has to sit down, although I would insert him in DH as Hafner obviously needs time off.
Kevin Youkilis should add something to the Yankees offense if his back could hold up.
