As we head into the second week after the All-Star break the Yankees lead the AL East division by 2.5 games. It’s safe to say the division this season is a lot stronger then it may have been in previous years. Four out of the five teams in the division have a winning percentage over .500 and even the Blue Jays show signs of competing seriously next season for a postseason spot. So the only question is can the Yankees clinch it with so much competition and talent in the division?

            With the injury to Andy Pettitte, the Yankees have suffered a serious blow to their rotation. Phil Hughes has not been on his best game lately and neither has A.J Burnett. Javier Vazquez has been better lately, but his consistency remains a problem. Pettitte arguably has been the best pitcher for the Yankees this season aside from CC Sabathia, and with the Rays on the run right behind them the Yankees need to replace Pettitte for the time he’s out with an arm that’s going to do more than give you “good” starts, the Yankees need someone that’s going to give them “great” starts. Pettitte is 11-2 so far this season with a 2.88 ERA, and to give you a better idea on how good he’s been Sabathia the Yankees ace has won 12 games so far and lost 3, sitting with a 3.13 ERA.

            Another problem the Yankees face is the bridge in the 8^th inning to Mariano Rivera. Joba Chamberlain has proved one thing this year, and that would be that the term “overrated” applies to his career. Chamberlain has a 5.77 ERA which is nowhere near acceptable for set up man on any team. The Yankees need another arm to come in and shut down the competition in that 8^th inning so there is no hope once Rivera enters. Chamberlain needs to earn a position in that bullpen because as of this point he is merely dead weight. When it comes to the 8^th & 9^th inning people sometimes forget that it’s not just talent that matters, it’s the composure of the pitcher. With that being said there’s nothing to go by to say that the Yankees have somebody to replace Joba on the team or in the origination already.

            The Yankees are a good team this season, but there are two main problems with their pitching that can end there run at a postseason berth. The Rays are no team to sneeze at, and only back in the division 2.5 games the Yankees don’t have any cushion to rest on while Pettitte gets better. It can be debated the Yankees have the strongest batting order in Major League Baseball, but offense won’t win every game.