With the recent rash of injuries to key star players, many people consider the Yankees a World Series long shot, with little to no chance of defeating Boston or Houston in October. Baseball is a crazy game and the real action is only starting. A lot can happen between now and when the playoffs pop off, including a Yankees rise and a Red Sox demise.
Here are 5 Reasons Why The Yankees Will Still Win The World Series
1. Sometimes it gets really bad before the greatest results occur. The Yankees are decimated with injuries and have critical members of their World Series aspiring squad on the Disabled List. Aaron Judges broken wrist has become a crucial situation. The Yanks are down 26 homers and 61 RBIs. Gary Sanchezs groin is still on the mend. Didi Gregorius just became the latest Yankees star on the DL and CCs 7-4 record and 3.32 ERA is sitting on the DL as well.
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3 of the Yankees’ top power hitters are now on the DL in Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius and Gary Snchez. Despite the injuries, the Yankees lead the majors with 34 HR in August and are on pace for 263 HR this season, 1 shy of the MLB record set by the 1997 Mariners.
Baseball has a strange way of evening out the odds and I wouldnt be surprised if all of these guys came back around the same time, fully-loaded, rested and ready for a deep playoff run.
2. The Red Sox community is telling us not to panic, but ace Chris Sales has been on the DL twice in a month. Before Sales recurring shoulder injury flared up on Saturday, shutting him down again, Boston had its sights set on the single-season record for wins (116). Now, Bostons simply hoping its ace can stay healthy throughout the playoffs.
If Sales isnt healthy, it creates a domino effect of disaster for Boston and manager Alex Cora.
3. Without Sales, Black Ace David Price will be counted on more heavily and his playoff record isnt the strongest. Price is 2-8 with a 5.03 ERA in 17 postseason appearances. Rick Porcello is 0-3 with a 5.47 RA in 11 postseason starts. That leaves the 25-year-old Eduardo Rodriguez, who despite his impressive 11-3 record, has less than an inning of playoff pitching experience.
With or without Sales, one of the veteran arms will have to pitch better than they have in past postseasons for Boston to win the World Series or even make it out of the ALCS.
Boston Red Sox on Twitter
6 Ks through 4 scoreless! https://t.co/BaWAmz6Y7T
4. Boston has played at such a dominant pace all season, never really slumping, winning key series and steadily expanding its division lead. The odds and the baseball Gods will eventually turn on them and that could result in an unfortunate October. Especially since there’s no Big Papi here to bail them out.
2004 ALCS Gm 4: David Ortiz’s walk-off two run homer
10/17/04: David Ortiz hits a walk-off two run homer in the bottom of the 12th inning to keep the Red Sox’ playoff hopes alive Check out http://m.mlb.com/video for our full archive of videos, and subscribe on YouTube for the best, exclusive MLB content: http://youtube.com/MLB About MLB.com: Commissioner Allan H.
5. The Yankees have a significant edge of the Red Sox in the bullpen, which is a Top 3 must have for a World Championship team. The Yankees can roll out deadly arm after deadly; Dellin Betances, David Robertson, Chad Green, Zach Britton, Jonathan Holder. Then shut the doors with Aroldis Chapman.
Boston’s Craig Kimbrel racks up saves and gets the job done, but top to bottom, the Yankees have it on lock and Bostons bullpen might come back to haunt them in close games.
MLB Network on Twitter
What’s it like to be a part of the @Yankees’ dominant bullpen? @DBetances68 stopped by the #MLBCentral set at Yankee Stadium to chat about his role on the team. https://t.co/G87F8nso2y
The keys to winning a World Series is timely hitting, solid starting pitching, and a shutdown bullpen. The Yankees have all of those things and the inevitable swing of the pendulum on their side. Boston’s yet to have its dark days moment. A World Series ring is still within the Bronx Bombers’ grasp.
