Pride of the Pinstripes: Vol. 4

Can the Yankees really make a run at the AL East crown?

The Yankees are off to a 12-3 start to spring training and are in first place in the Grapefruit League. In addition, the Bronx Bombers have lived up to their name, cranking out more than 1 home run per game on average. Spring training means essentially nothing in terms of regular season record, however it is important in establishing a culture of winning, especially for a franchise like the Yankees that is so accustomed to coming out on top. That being said, can the Yankees actually compete for the AL East crown? We’ve heard it over and over with patience with the Yankees, which should be the model, but why not have some hope? Isn’t that what sports are all about? The Red Sox open up the 2017 campaign with the second best odds of winning the World Series, behind the defending champion Cubs. The Yankees open up as the 13th most likely team to win the Series: not bad for a team with a weak starting rotation. In order for any type of divisional championship run to happen, the Yankees will need starting pitching to come through and the race for spots in the rotation is heating up (see Pride of the Pinstripes Volume 1). In addition, the Yankees will have to keep the power bats rolling as April gets closer and closer. I suspect the power of bats like Aaron Judge, Chris Carter, Gary Sanchez and Matt Holliday will have no issue powering the ball deep into the stands at Yankee Stadium. Even the Yankees middle infield in Starlin Castro and Didi Gregorius each hit over 20 home runs last year. The problem with the Yankees last year was a low batting average and a high strikeout rate. Finishing 20th in batting average last year won’t cut it this year, along with averaging the 5th most strikeouts per game. If table setters like Gardner and Ellsbury can get on base enough, the Yankees will not struggle to put up runs to support the pitching staff. Solo homers, however, don’t help an offense. Moving towards the rest of the division, the Rays will likely bring up the rear of the division, and the Blue Jays are getting old and have a weak pitching staff. The Orioles have a lot of talent and can certainly challenge the top, as most of the teams in the AL East can; it is a strong division. That leaves the Red Sox (insert boos here). Boston comes in with the addition of Chris Sale and bring back Cy Young award winner Rick Porcello. The health of David Price, however, has been a concern and even so the Yankees have had his number most of his career. The Red Sox of course have a loaded line up with bats like Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr, Hanley Ramirez and young stud Andrew Benintendi. This being said, the Yankees feature a young and underrated lineup. If everything clicks just right and the offensive locomotive is running on all cylinders, watch out ladies and gentleman because here come the New York Yankees!