Around the Empire: Yankees news - 8/27/15

Grantland | Michael Baumann: The Yankees used to be the team that everyone loved to hate, but this year's scrappy underdogs (yes, underdogs) have surprised a lot of baseball fans and writers with their surge to the top of the AL East.  So what are people who usually hate the Yankee supposed to do when they realize...gulp...they actually sort of like this team?

LoHud Yankees Blog | Chad Jennings: Now that Michael Pineda has returned, the Yankees rotation could be the strongest it has been all season.  And not a moment too soon, because - if you haven't noticed - it's almost September!

NJ.com | Brendan Kuty: An interview with Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild, who says CC Sabathia shouldn't let up and take it easy on his knee if and when he returns.

New York Post | Dan Martin: It's time for the Yankees to start worrying about Jacoby Ellsbury.  The centerfielder injured himself two nights ago in Houston, sapping his momentum in the midst of a hot streak.  If the Yankees are going to keep pace with the Toronto Blue Jays, they need their lead-off hitter back, and soon.

Baseball Prospectus Bronx | Kenny Ducey: Ivan Nova has not been very effectively lately and that needs to change pretty soon.