Let’s
face it, our Yankees offensive woes are real. Sure, they can win one once in a while, but they seem to be losing more than they're winning. While their inability to
get ‘em on, get ‘em over and get ‘em in (a hallmark of the Joe Torre
dynasty teams) has been a problem all season, the Yanks can no longer
hide behind the home run excuse (or the “say what you want about our
RISP woes, we’re winning” excuse).
They
are not winning. They are losing. They are 3 for their last 13. A
commanding lead in the AL East is now down to 6 ½ over the Orioles and Rays and
only 9 over the Red Sox. The Yanks have managed breathe life into the
Division race. Hell, they’ve given hop to the Red Sox, a team that
should be 14 back and drinking beer in the clubhouse right now.
During
that stretch, their starting pitching (with the exception of Ivan Nova’s
melt down in his last start), has been stellar. Lately the bullpen has been less
than stellar. So we need to score more runs
without counting on late inning bombs. Either that or we are going to
have another frustrating end to another frustrating season with the
Yanks making the playoffs and getting booted in the first round when
they have to face the likes of Justin Verlander twice or the Angels’ even
better rotation.
I
know, I’m not the only life-long fan who knows
what is needed, you know too, it's a change in the line-up. And I don't just mean a change... I mean a shake up. It’s time to take advantage
of Ichiro Suzuki’s speed and ability to get on base. It’s time to get opposing
pitchers worried about that guy dancing around on 1st base, threatening to steal. It’s time we saw Joe Girardi have the ability to let Derek Jeter move Ichiro from 1st to 3rd
on a hit and run, something he does better than any hitter in baseball.
It’s time for Girardi to admit what we all know about Curtis Granderson. Grandy has become a home run, strike-out hitter. That is
not the type of hitter you want in the 2 hole. That's my opinion, don't jump don't my throat, that's the reality.
So,
I am putting in writing what I’m betting almost all of you have been
thinking -- a new New York Yankees lineup.
1. Ichiro Suzuki
2. Derek Jeter
4. Robinson Cano
5. Curtis Granderson
6. Nick Swisher
Then, when Alex Rodriguez returns, I’d bat him 5th and move everyone down accordingly. I love Alex, but until he starts pounding doubles and home runs again instead of singles, it makes no sense to have him batting 4th. Don't you agree?
The
other main reason for moving Granderson is another obvious fact: Ichiro
will see better pitches with Jeter batting behind him. Jeet will
definitely see better pitches with Tex behind him and Tex is protected
by Robbie, who is such a good hitter that he doesn’t really need
protection.
With Joba Chamberlain back
throwing 97-98 mph and breathing fire like the Joba we saw in his rookie
year, the late innings will become more intimidating to the
rest of the league. When Andy Pettitte comes back in September, the rotation
will stabilize and be ready for October. And if the Yanks start to
score runs consistently over the course of 9 innings instead of relying
on a comeback home run in the 8th, they’ll find themselves back where
they belong, on top with a real shot at a World Championship #28.
How do you see it? Comment.
--Chris Kram, BYB Contributor
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