Can The Yankees Do It?

NOTE: This entry is written by guest blogger Christopher Russo.

Some say "grasping at straws" but I say "keeping the faith"!!

This latest 5 out of 7 against the Twins and Angels has made the first few weeks of the second half - meaningful. 42-43.

The media has just picked up on their weak second half sked - specifically the first 26 games against the Rays (6), Royals (7), Jays (7), Sox (3) and Orioles (3). Give me 20-6 and I say we have a shot at the Wild Card AND the division. Watch the Sox have a DECENT size swoon come 2nd half!!

Now the question is, is this team capable of getting it done? 20-6. Right now, I say "no" with the lack of NON A-Rod power production being the reason. The resurgence (to varying degrees) of Matsui, Cano, Cabrera, and Abreu has been promising but no where near enough offense to get it done. We need win more games like yesterday (3 HRs)....just beating the crap out of a struggling pitcher (Santana is having a woeful year).

The starting piching (Wang is a horse. 9 wins in 15 starts) has been there of late and is Roger going to keep this up (16 IP 7 Hits and 2 Runs Allowed)?. Even if he doesn't - Pettitte should rebound and Moose has been improving. Hughes starts in Tampa (Single A) tonight and if they can slot him in for Igawa (nice purchase and please take off the glasses) by August that will be a nice starting 5! I think it will be solid enough and then they can just shorten the bullpen down the stretch.

Proctor had been great of late and decent overall. Bruney is inconsistent, under used and has a Sub 3.00 ERA - if that's possible. Rivera seems to be back in form (10 for 10 in saves since May 1st) after a shaky April. Give me something out of Farnsworth and there we are. It'll have to do, but I think it will, with the help from the improved starting staff. This bullpen was overused early on when the starters were off in April and May.

The offense is in need badly. Somehow they are #3 in the MLB in runs scored. How? I'll never know. But we need more!! We need Damon to wake up - he's been terrible. Hurt, but terrible! Almost everyone else has shown life but him. Stop playing Cairo and get what offense you can out of Phillips (1 HR and .300 BA since being recalled). Put Cairo in for D if need be late in the game for Phillips. He's Miguel Cairo for a reason - stop playing him everyday. And while we are talking of Triple A talent. If they make a trade it has to be for an OF bat. Melky (and I love Leche's heart) is just that - Triple A talent. He plays a decent CF but isn't really much of a hitter. .275 he can do but an above .400 slugging pct is just not in the cards and necessary for an outfielder. He has 31 RBIs with a late 1st half surge and will the YES announcers stop saying that it's hard for him because he doesn't play everyday (He's started almost 80% of the games and played in 9 others - he's not productive!!).

One thing I can say is that he knows how to bunt! Why don't we play a little more small ball and manufacture a few more runs. Everyone should be asked to bunt (except Alex). Jeter had 16 sac bunts a few years back and I think that's an awesome stat - he's setting up a scoring chance for the BEST HITTER IN THE GAME - let's get Alex 170 RBIs!!

I need someone other than A-Rod to drive in a shit load of runs in the 2nd half for our offense to SUFFICE!! Like over 100 RBIs total for Jeter or 20 HRs from someone you don't expect it from, Cano or Abreu, to supplement this HUGE year that A-Rod is having.

GO YANKS!!