Tigers vs. Yankees: Mark Teixeira Will Be To Blame If Yanks Blow Game 5

The New York Yankees have no shortage of firepower in their lineup. Unfortunately, one of the key components isn't firing at all.

Mark Teixeira is batting a miserable .133 this postseason.

He has two hits in 15 at bats, has struck out five times and has yet to bat in a run. The slugger is also 0-3 with runners in scoring position for the series.

This role of "postseason slumper" used to belong to Alex Rodriguez, but now it is all Teixeira's. A-Rod certainly hasn't been good himself, but he has at least batted in a couple of runs to go along with his two hits.

The same cannot be said for Teixeira.

New York has been downright bad with runners in scoring position all series, but they have been in close games even when they lose.

Unlike the Tigers, who've been blown out twice and have won their two games by a combined three runs, the Yankees are always in a position to win.

This means Teixeira has to wake up.

If the Yankees put their No. 5 hitter at bat with the tying and/or go-ahead runs on base or at the plate, he has to deliver.

A.J. Burnett did his job in Game 4, and the Yankees did their job of giving him run support. That cannot stop with Ivan Nova on the mound in Game 5. This team needs to worry less about their pitching, and more about awakening the bats they pay so much money for on a yearly basis.

A lot of that starts and ends with Teixeira.

Derek Jeter has struck out seven times. A-Rod only has two hits. Jorge Posada and Russell Martin have yet to bat in runs. But they are still being more productive than their first baseman.

For once, New York fans can leave A-Rod alone. If the Yankees blow this series, it is on Teixeira.