Panic?!?!?

9/4/12

In response to questions as to the New York Yankees' Panic Meter given their recent slide, ESPN Baseball Analyst Buster Olney responded with an alarming 9.

A 9? 9 is being Dormy 3 on the links.....and then going OB with your tee shot.

A 9 is the Boston Red Sox blowing a 9-game lead in the month of September and then relying on a hated, shorthanded Bronx Bombers side to outlast a desperate Tampa Bay squad.

If we really have already reached 9 on the Pinstriped Panic Meter in the Bronx, then what will signify 10?

Despite the recent slide, Derek Jeter insists there is no panic in the Yankees Clubhouse. And why should there be?

Last time I checked, the Yankees still maintained a 1-game lead on the inexperienced Orioles and a 2.5-game margin in the Wild Card Standings.

Last time I checked, the Yankees still had 9 games remaining against Tampa Bay and Baltimore, their new and rather surprising AL East competitors.

More importantly, perhaps, the Yankees have 6 games remaining against the lowly Boston Red Sox, including 3 at the Stadium to conclude the season. This is without mention of their 10 games remaining against the Twins and Blue Jays, each of whom are in free falls of their own --- without nearly as much to play for.

Yes, it's true that the Yankees have lost 11 of their last 17. But the summer slimdown of their AL East lead is more closely attributed to the streaking O's and Rays than their own collapse.

The Rays schedule will grow increasingly difficult. Tampa plays their next 5 against Texas and New York --- and will face the best of both rotations. They will also play 4 games in Chicago's South Side, where Robin Ventura's White Sox are in a Pennant Race of their own. Finally, Tampa still has 6 games remaining against Baltimore, including 3 potentially huge games to end the season.

So, if the Yankees, Rays, and Orioles are all dead-locked heading into the final weekend of the season, keep in mind that the Rays and Orioles will be battling it out head-to-head, while the Yankees will be in the Bronx playing a Red Sox roster that will no doubt be battling quite hard for beloved Bobby V.

The Orioles have been great, but they are still quite young. Do you really trust Gonzalez, Timlin, and Saunders in late September? Buck Showalter has done a tremendous job, but don't be surprised if the inexperienced O's hit the wall hard during the season's final month.

The usually intimidating Yankees offense has been struggling of late without A-Rod, Teixeira, and most recently Granderson. With all 3 expected back by this weekend, the Bronx Bombers will resume living up to the name.

The pitching staff hasn't been horrible, but it will certainly improve with Sabathia regaining form, Nova returning, and Pettite possibly on his way back as well.

After a long, early September road trip, the Yankees will play 12 of their final 19 at home. If New York can simply maintain its current position over the next week, look for them to win 14 of their last 19, not only outlasting their AL East competition, but edging Texas for the league's best record.

There is 1 month of baseball remaining and the Yankees find themselves exactly where they wanted at the beginning of April --- at the top of the AL East.

Panic?!? Not Now. Not Yet.