After two playoff-less seasons, the New York Yankees
would seem to be heading back into post-season baseball. Assuming they can hang
on down this final stretch, the team’s success in the playoffs will determine
on whether or not they can remain healthy from here on out. Unfortunately, Mark
Teixeira and Nathan Eovaldi are both down with serious injuries and will likely
miss the playoffs.
Luckily for the Yankees, Greg Bird (who is replacing
the injured Teixeira at first-base) is a doing a great job. (Bird should
continue the Yankees lineage of great first-baseman once he permanently takes
over the position.)
Eovaldi was the Yankees best pitcher and Yankee fans
and brass are hoping he will return healthy for next season. Meanwhile, despite
the rash of injuries, the Yankees are still in a pennant race. The Toronto Blue
Jays are one of the hottest teams in baseball, after a historic trade deadline.
The Blue Jays shocked baseball and their division when they acquired Troy
Tulowitzki and David Price. (Price could have been a Yankees, but Cashman was
not willing to part with then-top pitching prospect Luis Severino and other top
prospects). Did Cashman make the right call? Only time will tell.
The Yankees have their work cut out for them to make
the playoffs. The Blue Jays look as if they are untouchable and the Yankees
lead in the Wild Card is diminishing.
Regardless, of what happens the Yankees had a successful 2015
campaign.