The X Factors: Yankees at Twins
If they manage to blow this series, they're going to put the playoffs out of reach
Posted on Monday, August 11, 2008 at 10:34 AMWill New York's recent struggles leave them in a losing state of mind? Will the constant rotation shuffling result in hurt egos and unmotivated play? And will the upcoming day off have the Yankees looking too far ahead?
How do things happening behind-the-scenes and off-the-field impact the team?
External Factor No. 1: Negative Nancys.
If winning is contagious, it's safe to assume that losing is as well. And for the $210-million New York Yankees, they've caught pitiful fever.
Not only were the Bronx Bombers swept by the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels over the weekend, but it was done with relative ease.
It's hard to place blame in any one spot, but it's clear that New York isn't giving it 110% every day. The players appear both mentally and physically exhausted, while manager Joe Girardi looks as if he's aged 25 years in the past 10 days.
The Yankees are in a bad way right now, and the only way to snap out of it is to win. And if they don't do it soon, they can kiss any playoff hopes goodbye.
External Factor No. 2: Who has a job? Who doesn't?
After only one start, Ian Kennedy has been sent packing yet again. It was announced earlier today that the youngster was optioned back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with no timetable for a return.
"We have a chance to get him right over time," Cashman said. "He clearly — based on this year — needs more time to develop."
Whether it's Kennedy, Sidney Ponson, Darrell Rasner or anyone else, this rotation shuffling cannot be good. It's as if these pitchers are tied to the end of a yo-yo and are constantly being strung along. One second they're on the bench, the next they're on the mound, and then they're in the minors. It's ridiculous.
What does New York expect when they don't allow players time to find a groove? Yes, it's a pennant/playoff race, but nothing positive can come from mixing and matching every few days — and it's becoming more and more obvious with each subpar performance.
External Factor No. 3: Looking ahead.
I said it prior to the Angels series and I'll say it again now: The Yankees are exhausted.
It's been a long, long time since New York has had a day off, and with one coming on Thursday, you can bet they're all looking forward to it.
But will that looming day off cause a lapse in focus? With an important three-game series against the Minnesota Twins, the Yankees had better not be looking ahead. If they manage to blow this series and continue this downward spiral, they're going to put the playoffs out of reach.
MORE:
