WHY THE YANKEES HAVE KEYS TO WIN IT ALL

What other team can have a hot streak going all season with a rotation in question and holes being filled by youngsters but still allow Alex Rodriguez to come back, get in games and offer a home run or 2 since his return from injury? Only the New York Yankees.



It's amazing if you think about it because the Yankees have never been full strength this year yet, they've never really skipped a beat. If you think about it, a lot has gone on:

• Derek Jeter injury stalling his 3000th hit

• Alex being out a chunk of the season

• The rotation slowly deteriorating

• Players like Eduardo Nunez and Ivan Nova stepping up

• A slumping, then not slumping, then slumping Mark Teixeira

• A slow start by Nick Swisher

• A vanishing Jorge Posada

• Bench players like Eric Chavez hurting

It truly is amazing that the Yankees lead the AL East right now. The Red Sox, other than Carl Crawford not hitting and David Ortiz being out here and there, are at full strength. So, was Brian Cashman smarter than us all? Man, I hope so.



So what are some of the keys to the Yankees run to the playoffs? I think these:

• Picking the correct rotation: Yes, it seems as though the Yankees are sticking with a 6 man rotation for now, but as the playoffs begin, who will be the guys? If I had to choose right now, it would be CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Freddy Garcia and the last one is a question mark. If AJ Burnett gets his mechanics right, he could be the 4th guy. Phil Hughes? I'm not so sure, to me, he's like Forrest Gump these days, you never know what your gonna get. Bartolo Colon is slowly deteriorating and may be a smart candidate for the pen.

• Getting Alex in: ARod hasn't skipped a beat since his return, so his bat is valuable in the lineup down the stretch. Keeping him in the lineup will be key, because, in my opinion it will keep him hot for the playoffs. Like I stated in WHY YANKEES CONFIDENCE IS BUILDING WITH SWEEP, "...once Alex gets going, it will be just in time for the playoffs. I long for the days of a hot Alex Rodriguez during the playoffs again... just like 2009. He was amazing, who can forget it." I believe that.

• Keeping the hitters hot: Granderson, Swisher, Jeter, Cano and Teixeira have to keep hitting, all the way to November. This means a balance of rest and play so they're healthy, yet, not overworked for the games that mean the most.
  
  

• Young energy: Jesus Montero will be exciting and new blood sometimes energizes a ball club, I believe Montero will do the same.

• Bullpen balance: The bullpen has been incredible but they need to stay incredible. Adding a few arms will help but the important thing is they don't lose focus and stick together as a family. Last year Joba Chamberlain raved about how Kerry Wood was amazing in bringing the bullpen together and he became his mentor. Read HERE. So, who will be the leader in 2011? We shall see.

I have a good feeling about my New York Yankees. They are finding ways to win and get to the finish line, they just need to keep going.



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