5 Reasons New York Yankees Are Poised for Monster Second-Half Run

It’s hard to believe the state of affairs the New York Yankees sit in.  With the team plagued by early season struggles, many critics and fans had pinned this the season when the club finally descends back to earth.

The conclusions came from everywhere.  Some said after years of blinding hurling wads of cash at problems, the lack of a cohesive unit had finally caught up with them.  Others guessed the aging of a once great core had left the nucleus to resemble the 1965 Yankees.

But, a day removed from the Midsummer Classic, the Yankees stand alone as the best team in baseball. 

Here are a few reasons why they have no intentions of relinquishing that position.

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The Summer Wind Came Blowin' In...

As the homer happy Yankees head into the dog days of summer, a grin appears on all their faces.

Sure, they’ll be facing the same pitchers in the same parks for the remainder of the year.  However, a little meteorology 101 stacks the odds in favors of sluggers.

In the summer months when the air is less dense, a baseball will travel much further than on a cool day with more density. 

Most of us aren’t scientists nor are we global warming philosophers like Tim McCarver, but it’s a proven fact that baseballs fly into the stands at a higher rate when the temps are sweltering.

Of course that bodes well for the MLB home run leading Bombers.

Get Back to Where You Once Belonged

Sorry, trendy contrarians.  It appears your preseason sleepers in the American League East are crashing down to earth.

Early in the season both the Orioles and Rays were seesawing back and forth for first place.  While both teams are still in second and third place, respectively, the gap between the number one spot has blown up.

The Yankees now own a seven game lead over their nearest competitor.  As for the rest of the league, the Bobby Valentine experiment in Boston hasn’t worked so well to date. 

The Sox, wallowing in their injuries, are tied for last place with the Blue Jays, sharing a .500 record and 9.5 games away from smelling the top of the mountain.

Are You Experienced?

If whatever reason the Yanks begin to stumble as the temperature rises, it’s always good to know they have an ace in the hole.

That ace in question being cold hard Steinbrenner currency.

Throughout the years, the Yankees have made some excellent midseason moves for crafty veterans like David Cone, Bobby Abreu, and David Justice.

There have been whispers of Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels being shopped as the Philadelphia season goes down the tank.  But, don’t be surprised if Cashman is more cautious than ever. 

With the revamping of the percentage of luxury tax a team pays beginning in 2014, the Yanks don’t need to take on any expensive dead weight for a short-term fix.

However, with that being said, these are the Yankees.  Would you really that be surprised if something crazy happened?

I Can't Drive 55

As it stands right now, out of 30 MLB teams the Yankees rank at 25 in stolen bases per game.  And with minimal players on the roster who can lay down a consistent bunt, the return of Brett Gardner could be crucial.

Obviously, the lingering injuries surrounding the outfielder have not been positive.  Most recently, his return has pushed back beyond July 27^th.  In the meantime, his replacements Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones have held the fort down with clutch hits and an unexpected surge in power.

However, when the calendar turns to October the Bombers will be facing better pitching on a regular basis.  During those contested battles, home runs might not be as easy to come by as they have against Joe Shmoe just called up from North Haverbrook or Ogednville.

Speed and the threat of the elusive bunt are what Gardner brings to the table.  It might be the most important dish come playoff time.

The Boys Are Back in Town

Not unlike other teams, many of the major men on the Bombers squad have been bitten by the injury bug.  Fortunately for the pinstriped brethren, many of those wounded parts could be returning for the home stretch.

After an impressive return from retirement, Andy Pettitte suffered a shattered ankle and hit the shelf with an expected return date somewhere in the middle of August. 

For the first time this year, reliever Joba Chamberlain could be donning his familiar No. 62 for the Yankees.  Just yesterday, the burly right-hander reached 97 miles per hour in a bullpen session.  While there is no official timetable, Joba could be in the Bronx sooner rather than later.

And while it still remains a long shot, Mariano Rivera could be rejoining his teammates in the 2012 season.  General manger Brian Cashman has ruled the future Hall of Famer out for the season, but Rivera’s doctor has said Mo is well ahead of schedule.  He even hinted he could pitch this season.