THESE ARE THE GAMES THE YANKEES HAVE TO WIN

 Do you think it's easier in the playoffs?

No. It's not.

With the last 3 games against the Tampa Bay Rays, you as a fan knows just how important these games are. And last night, despite how close they were... they didn't win and that sucks.

MLB.com writes:

"Should the Yankees handle the next two items on their to-do list, securing entry to the American League Wild Card Game and then winning that contest, their reward will be a best-of-five showdown against the Rays in the American League Division Series.

Friday’s performance served as a reminder of how challenging that task will be. Their bats cold after the first inning, Joey Gallo and Brett Gardner delivered run-scoring hits in the ninth, but the rally fell short as the Yankees opened their final regular-season homestand with a 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium."

Challenge in this game is the most difficult thing a team will have to deal with in their season.  And the Rays are a powerhouse. Bryan Hoch is right... it doesn't get easier after this last series of the season.  The Yankees have to strap in, lock in and do damage.

I have said this all season... the Yankees have the ability on paper.  The season has been a streaky struggle, but they have still managed to have a pretty great run this season.  But the playoffs are a different animal with any streaky team and the reason is simple... you never know what you're gonna get with this Yankee team. Will the Yankees go on a tear and win several straight or will they be on the losing streak side? These playoff series' are too short and the better Yankee team needs to show up!

But there's something more and that's Aaron Boone. You have to wonder what the hell he was doing in the 9th inning yesterday. I mean it's decisions in critical moments that can be the undoing of this team and he is at the helm and that scares the hell out of me.

Yahoo Sports writes:

"German continued into the ninth, starting off by sitting Wendle down on a three-pitch strikeout. After walking Mejia and Kiermaier, though, Boone called on RHP Albert Abreu. The move did not pay off -- Abreu nearly got a 3-6-1 double play, but Arozarena beat out the throw back to first. Arozarena stole second and Franco deposited a two-RBI single up the middle, putting the Rays up 4-1 entering the bottom half.

Hindsight is 20/20, but not going with LHP Aroldis Chapman -- the Yankees' closer, who was warming up -- to start the inning or at least follow German rather than Abreu was a head-scratching decision."

It's moments like this that shows inexperience and uncertainty with this team. Boone will be the downfall of this team if they don't get to the World Series. No question about it.

2 more games this season with a hell of a team in the Tampa Bay Rays. We need to win these games. We need the taste of champagne and we need to reset for the playoffs. Every game is a must win now.  Anything less just makes the playoffs more difficult.

Come on Yanks, let's go.