THE STATE OF THE YANKEES

The evil Red Sox are the team the world picked to run through the season, the playoffs and become World Series champs in 2011. The National League team was the supposed to be the Phillies. So, I find it to be absolutely outstanding that our team, the team no one really expected to be in the running, is a half game up, ahead of the mighty Red Sox for first place in the AL.

The Red Sox have had 1 problem, the superstar they signed, Carl Crawford, is just now starting to hit. I’m sorry, but if you’re making that kind of money and you’re signed the be the lead off man, you have to deliver. Crawford puts a bad taste in my mouth for all the lip service he gave the Yankees for not signing him this past winter. As you can see, signing him would have been a disaster, the Brett Gardner, Derek Jeter combo at the top of the lineup has proved that.

The Yankees on the other hand have had plenty of problems. From an inconsistent AJ Burnett, to an unstable rotation to lack of hitting by some of our stars. We’ve seen come and go Brian Gordon (remember him?), Nick Swisher and his lack of power mostly from the first half and a constant debate over whether or not aging stars Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada have enough in the tank any more. We’ve seen injuries from our top star Alex Rodriguez and watched gold glover Eric Chavez and 8th inning guy, now 7th inning guy, Rafael Soriano take forever to come back from injury.

One thing is for sure though, through all the frustration and aggravation, the New York Yankees have managed to grind out wins and take a series from their opponents almost all season. Winning every series, be it 2—0 or 2-1 will get you to the playoffs. I hate using the expression of "playing one game at a time", but it’s true. You can’t think about Boston if your playing the Twins, you just need to go 1 game at the time and it’s clear the Yankees mentality are in the right mindset.

(Photo: Getty)

With all that going on, the New York Yankees are breathing down the Red Sox neck. And to me, it means one thing, we never say die.

• Curtis Granderson has been a huge surprise this season, it may be the best season of his career...34 home runs... are you kidding me?
  

• CC Monster is rolling through the season to prove he’s the top ace in the major leagues.

• Robinson Cano has demonstrated leadership more so than in the past.

• Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia have provided their veteran talents to scrape together wins… the top story of the Yankees season as far as I’m concerned.

• David Robertson has emerged as a true 8th inning guy and All-Star to boot

• Derek Jeter, our Captain is batting .290 today and hot as hell this second half. He may be old, but he still can lead. Where's the New York Media now... the same media telling us Jeter was over...hiding, that's where.

And just when you thought it was good, it just gets better. Us fans have been chomping at the bit for months about the coming of Jesus Montero and some of the Killer B's and here they come... Manny Banuelos may be up in September and Dellin Betances told us all on Twitter he was advancing to AAA. Things are happening, careers are advancing and wins keep us hungry for more Ladies and Gentlemen.

So, what’s the point of this post… well, I think it’s clear, the Yankees are coming and no team like the Red Sox is going to try and take us down. Yes, they have the upper hand in our head to head meetings, but it’s what counts now that really matters and everything in the past is past. The bottom line is the Yankees are winning, through all the turbulent rotation stuff, we’re winning with great offense and an incredible bullpen. When it counts the most, the Yankees do not roll over and if you don’t believe me, think about what these guys have accomplished this season…. CC Sabathia, Curtis Granderson, Derek Jeter, Ivan Nova, Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, Brett Gardner, Robinson Cano.

(Photo: Getty)

Bottom line… we have the AL East by the balls, we just need to get to the finish line, so let’s do this thing. It’s our time… again.

Please comment and let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.