A look at the rest of the way

by Rumplestiltskin02 on Sep 21, 2009 8:07 PM EDT

With approximately two weeks left in the regular season, I decided to take a look at what lies ahead for our Yankees and the only other team that can catch us: the Red Sox.

The Yankees currently lead Boston by 5 games in the East. Tonight, we open up a three game series at the LAAAAA of A. Our struggles against them, especially at their place, are well-documented. The Red Sox, on the other hand, start a four game series at Kansas City. Then Friday we start a three game stint with the chowdah heads at the Stadium. Worst case scenario heading into said series is we go in up 1.5 games, and best case scenario is we go in up 8.5. Unfortunately, considering how each team has been playing and the opponents, something closer to the former is much more likely. I'll try to be unbiased and realistic and predict that we take 1 of 3 from the Angels and Boston takes 3 of 4 from the last place Royals, which would put us up 3.5 going into the weekend series.

I believe this series could go either way, but I'll say that since we're at home, we take 2 of 3 from Boston, which puts us up 4.5.

We then have 3 at home with Kansas City and Boston has 3 at home vs. Toronto. Again trying to be realistic here, I'll predict we take 2 of 3 and Boston sweeps Toronto, who never seems to put up any kind of fight at Fenway.

That would put us up 3.5 going into the final series of the regular season. We go to Tampa Bay for 3 and Boston is at home vs. Cleveland for 4. In this case the Sox would have to sweep and we would have to get swept (which I don't see happening) for us to tie for the division crown. This would give the division to Boston and us the wild card, with the tie breaker being the head-to-head record.

This would be a huge confidence-killer for us and a boost for the Red Sox. On top of that, we'd be play the Angels in the ALDS with home field advantage in the series belonging to them.

For that reason, I say we simply cannot let the division slip away. Quite a bit would have to happen, but it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

Poll