Yankees Can't Afford To Put This One In The Ell Column

When Jacoby Ellsbury and the Yankees agreed to a seven-year, $153MM contract this past offseason, a very loud, "WHAT?" was said in unison in the baseball world. For Jacoby Ellsbury? The guy who had one very good season and was known more for his injury plagued years. That Jacoby Ellsbury?

It's only the first year of his contract, but the Yankees would be nowhere without Ellsbury, unquestionably the team's MVP. (Masahiro Tanaka would have been in the mix had he not injured his elbow - be very glad they are shutting him down now after he experienced soreness in his elbow after his latest rehab throw.)

Ellbsury had the misfortune Friday night to slide into the league in the leg of Toronto Blue Jays' catcher Dioner Navarro. Not only was Ellsbury out at the plate, but sprained/jammed his ankle. Tests results came back negative, but Ellsbury is hurting. He sat out Saturday's game with Toronto, and though he feels he'll play on Sunday, a conservative Joe Girardi is more likely to give him another day off. Especially since the Yankees have their next to last off day on Monday.

It's an especially painful loss for a team that has had trouble scoring runs all season. The former Red Sox outfielder has been on a tear of late - 11-22 (.500), 4 HR, 9 RBI, 6 runs in his last six games - and entered Sunday leading the team with 64 RBI and 37 steals, and is second to Brett Gardner with 64 runs scored.

Like everyone else, Ellsbury has had his dry spells too. He hit just .231 in May with a .664 OPS. But as the race for the second wild card has heated up, so has Ellsbury. In 25 starts and one substitute appearance in August, his slash line is .317/.360/.525 with 5 HR, 16 RBI, 9 SB (without being thrown out), 32 hits, and 13 runs scored. Girardi has used him primarily in the three-hole in the lineup this season, but as of late has inserted him into the lead off spot. Ellsbury has a robust .926 OPS at the top of the order, compared to a .728 OPS batting behind #2, Derek Jeter in the two-hole.

Over the years, many teams have thrown left-handers at the Yankees so as not to let them take advantage of the short porch in Yankee Stadium's right field, but Ellsbury has hit better - nearly .100 points higher in his OPS - against southpaws rather than right-handers. Sunday's game is no different, though it's on the road. The Blue Jays have lefty J.A. Happ scheduled to make a start. The Yankees can only hope the first batter he faces is Jacoby Ellsbury. Otherwise, the Yankees are already going into the game trying to come from behind.

Blunder Ball in the Bronx; Help on the way?

It's been noted a number of times that the Yankees had a 10 game lead in the AL East after they shut out the Toronto Blue Jays on July 18. The Yankees have gone 18-22 since, which really isn't all that bad, until you realize the team had winning streaks of four and three games during the stretch. Which then means, they are 11-22 in the other 33 games and that is bad..very bad baseball.

That bad baseball continued in the Bronx Friday night as the Yankees bored their fans to a 6-1 loss that dropped their lead to just two games in front of Baltimore. With no Alex Rodriguez (began a rehab assignment last night) or Mark Teixeira (hoping to play next weekend) in the lineup, opposing pitchers have been able to work around Robinson Cano. Joe Girardi has been forced to bat  players like Andruw Jones (.207 avg, .725 OPS) or little tested Steve Pearce. .

Hiroki Kuroda has been the Yankees best pitcher in the second half, but he put himself in a hole in the 2nd inning when he allowed a 2-run home run to Mark Reynolds for a 3-0 Orioles lead.  Kuroda worked into the 9th, but allowed a home run to J.J. Hardy and another home run to Reynolds

The Yankees made Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez lool like Jim Palmer in his prime; the punch-less wonders managed just five hits and only scored on a solo home run by Curtis Granderson in the 9th. Gonzalez also beat the Yankees back on July 30 at YS as well.

The Yankees will get some help when the rosters expand on Saturday, but none of the players coming up swings a big stick. Catcher Francisco Cervelli finally returns to the Bronx, much to the glee of his large female following. Eduardo Nunez was also recalled and is scheduled to DH on Saturday.

Pitchers Cory Wade, Adam Warren, and Justin Thomas, and outfielder Chris Dickerson are also being recalled. To make room on the 40-man roster (one spot was needed), the Yankees designated Ramiro Pena for assignment.

Race for the Flag

It's Monday night, August 17. About 1 1/2 months from the end of the Major League Baseball season. And while the NFL pre-season is underway, my eyes are still on the prize.

AL East

The Yankees play since the All-Star break has been phenomenal and has allowed them to build a 7 1/2 game division lead over Boston. The Red Sox are 6-9 in August and 11-17 in their last 28 games. They've not only seen their division lead go by the wayside, but their Wildcard lead as well. The teams meet up in a big series this weekend in Boston, with the Yankees having a chance to bury their rivals even more in the divisional race.

Also this week - Yankees at A's, Red Sox at Blue Jays

Al Central

Detroit has struggled at times, but so have the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins, enabling the Tigers to remain atop the central division. The Tigers strengthened their offense earlier today, acquiring Aubrey Huff from the Orioles for a minor leaguer.

Entering Monday night's play, the White Sox trailed Detroit by 2 1/2 games. They're 7-7 in August and just 2 games over .500. It remains to be seen whether the acquisitions of Jake Peavy, who has yet to appear in a Chisox uniform, or Alex Rios will be enough to put the White Sox over the top.

Minnesota, meanwhile is fading quickly from the picture. They're lack of hitting and a major injury to Kevin Slowey have really hurt the ball club. They're 5 games under .500 and 6 1/2 behind the Tigers.

Schedule - Tigers at Mariners, A's; White Sox host Royals, Orioles; Twins at Rangers, Royals


AL West

Mike Scioscia and the front office continue to get it done year in and year out. This year is no different despite a rash of major injuries, the tragic death of Nick Adenhardt, and a less than stellar bullpen. But the veterans have been steady, Brian Fuentes has stepped up in the closer's role, and an, at times, patchwork starting rotation has managed to get things done. Jered Weaver and Bobby Abreu, in particular, have really stepped up their games.

People have expected the Texas Rangers to fade from sight, but it hasn't happened yet. In fact, the Rangers entered Monday's play in the AL Wildcard lead after taking 2 of 3 from Boston. They're still within spitting distance of the Angels as well at 4 1/2 games back. Texas finally jettisoned Vincente Padilla today as rookie Tommy Hunter has stood out.

This week - Angels at Orioles (1), Indians, Blue Jays; Rangers host Twins, at Rays


NL East

The Phillies have had problems with consistency, but there's no NL East team strong enough to make a real run at them. The Marlins and Braves may be staying close, but it's not happening, take my word for it. Not with the way Cliff Lee is pitching. The Phillies should feast this week with games against the Diamondbacks and Mets.

The Marlins and Braves are very much in the Wildcard race, 2 and 3 games back of Colorado, respectively. The Fish have two of the biggest emerging stars in pitcher Josh Johnson and shortstop Hanley Ramirez.

On paper, the Braves don't look so special, but their starting rotation and a solid bullpen have kept them afloat. The Braves hopes could take a blow though if closer Rafael Soriano continues to be bothered my muscle discomfort in his right shoulder.

NL Central

The Cardinals were a good team that got immeasurably better with the acquisitions of Matt Holliday (.459-5-22 in 21 games) and Julio Lugo (.354 14 runs in 19 games). And of course there is Albert Pujols, who leads the team in just about every offensive category. You really can't see the Cards blowing their 5 game lead over the struggling Cubs. The Cards have a huge series beginning tonight with the Dodgers before facing the lowly Padres.

The Cubs are 5 games behind St. Louis, but it might as well be 20. They've had no consistency in any part of their game. Ryan Theriot (.301) is the only regular hitting above .300 and closer Kevin Gregg has not been very good. On the up side, the Cubs are just 2 games in back of the Rockies in the Wildcard loss column. The Cubs' schedule flip flops with the Cards, playing the Pads and then Dodgers.

NL West

Despite the horrific injury to Hiroki Kuroda, the Dodgers division lead is completely safe. They just need to get to the finish line in one piece. Just like the Cards, the Dodgers lead is "just" 5 games over the Rockies, but that lead is going nowhere.

The Rockies turned things around once Jim Tracy took the helm and past the Giants for the NL Wildcard lead. The Rockies can feast on the Nats for 3 games before a huge series with the Giants.

The Giants have played well all season, led by the outstanding pitching of Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, and the surprise season of Pablo Sandoval, who leads the team in batting average, HR, and RBI. After wrapping up a series with the Mets tonight, the Giants prepare for the Rockies series with a 3-game set against the Reds.