Yankees First Half in Review [David Stefanini]

I'll start with the New York Yankees because they seemingly are always ahead of the Mets in every category.

Let's begin with the off season signings. C.C. Sabathia has not pitched up to expectations in his first season in pin stripes. After playing like a machine last season to carry the Brewers to the playoffs Sabathia got a huge contract and like most players has failed to live up to the dollars he is paid. He is 8-6 with a 3.86 ERA and 95 strikeouts. I never though A.J. Burnett would out perform Sabathia but he has with a 8-4 record with a 3.77 ERA and 101 strikeouts. On to Mark Texiera who has been stellar for the Yankees. He has lived up to his contract and is carrying a large burden of the offense.

The rest of the starting rotation has been performing way below expectations. Chien-Ming Wang has been an absolute disaster, Joba is not the starter everyone thought he would be, and Andy Pettitte below his normal.

Even with all these problems the Yankees find themselves only 3 games behind Boston in the AL East and in control of the AL Wild Card. But are they good enough to compete with the top teams? They have yet to win a single game against Boston and just got swept by the Angels over the weekend. The Yankees should not have a problem making the playoffs but how far can they go? C.C. is a better second half pitcher and hopefully the other starters can get their games on track.

I feel the Yankees will only be as successful as their starting pitching is. If the pitching can get things going and begin to live up to expectations the Yankees will be the team to beat, but right now I think they're the third best team in the AL behind Boston and the Angels.