It’s no secret that the Yankees starting their winning streak when Alex Rodriguez got back. Well, the Yankees are actually 10-2 with Alex. There’s a stat called, win shares made by a writer named Bill James that takes all the contributions a player makes toward his team’s wins and distills them into a single number. I’m not sure what Alex’s number is right now but I know the Yankees are winning since he came back. I don’t even see numbers, I see a letter and it starts with “W.” Could it be psychological? I’ve heard that some players don’t like Alex so I’m not sure that’s the answer. I do know that Mark Teixeira and Alex get along well because they played in Texas together and you could see the like between them. It’s no coincedence that Mark Teixeira is hitting better since A-Rod is protecting him but what about the rest of the Yankee batters? Why are they hitting much better during this winning streak? Well, for one, because A-Rod walks, Tex gets better pitches to see and he gets on base more. Add that to Alex getting on base and you have the hitters behind them having extra chances to drive in runs. I've said about A-Rod helping Tex in the line up here. Before A-Rod was protecting him, Mark was seeing a lot of slow curveballs and off speed pitches but now he’s seeing more fastballs. Mark saw a lot of walks when A-Rod was out and when Mark gets up to bat now, pitchers are aware that Rodriguez is on deck. The pitches are more towards the middle of the plate for Mark and he’s putting some great swings on them. Ok, but why are the Yankees winning? Could it be the Yankees score more runs with him in the lineup and the pitching has gotten better? Yes, that’s the answer. Since it got warm out, power arms like C.C. Sabathia, Joba Chamberlain and A.J. Burnett have their velocity back. You can’t win without good pitching and after the Yankees get leads, their starting pitching becomes more relaxed and just about unstoppable. Add that to a line up that hits better with Alex back and you have a winning team.
He makes a difference, but Tex has also heated up. I don't think it has anything to do with A-Rod being back. Tex has always been a slow starter and picks it up after April.
Or they could be better because they are playing the weaker teams. How long will they be without Joba? When is Wang coming back?
I do think the Yanks are a much better team with ARod back in the lineup. Tex gets some protection behind him, making pitchers give him some better looks. It also makes the rest of the lineup more comfortable at the plate because they know that he can change the game with a swing of the bat.
And the Yankees win again today! They scored 3 in the bottom of the 9th of Lidge, including a 2 run shot by ARod. Cabrera came through again with a walk off hit. What's that, his 3rd of they year? Kid has been fantastic this year after struggling all last season.
