Is there really such a thing as "Yankee-style baseball"? If there is, then whatever it is now is a far cry from whatever it used to be. Like it or not, these 2013 Yankees definitely have their own style - one that has not been seen in these parts since the Woodrow Wilson administration - and I guess it isn't always ineffective, maybe? -shrugs-
At no time during this season was the new Yankee style more evident than during the past four games in Arlington - you could call that series the Yankiest series that ever Yanked.
What made the last four-game set the quintessential series of the 2013 Yankees? Here are ten reasons:
1. They achieved a respectable result, despite being outscored overall.
This series didn't exactly do wonders for their season run differential - they came in at -2 and left at -4. They scored eight runs total and gave up ten. Still, they walked away with a series split against a superior team on the road, and that's nothing to sneeze at.
2. Their offense.
According to my Tang-dynasty rhinoceros-horn abacus, eight runs in four games comes out to an average of two runs per game. Believe it or not, the shutout handed to them by Yu Darvish on Monday was the first time the Yankees had failed to score a run in their last 20 games (Honestly, I looked it up myself, and I still don't believe it).
Of course, it's not easy for an offense to score runs when they've all become card-carrying members of the ancient, mystical society of...
"But you let in Homer Glumpich!"Seriously, though, has any visiting team ever played four games in Arlington and failed to hit a single home run before the 2013 Yankees came to town?
Relevant:
4. Their starting pitching.
At this point it would be fair to describe the Yankees starting staff as a bunch of mediocre guys who pitch just well enough to keep their pop-gun offense in the game...and Hiroki Kuroda. Both Ivan Nova (7 IP, 3 ER) and Andy Pettitte (6 IP, 2 ER) turned in not-quite-great quality starts, while Phil Hughes (5.2 IP, 3ER) fell short by a single out. Kuroda (7 IP, 0 ER) was the ace, as he has been since April.
5. Their right-handed relief pitching.
Rock-solid, per usual. Mariano Rivera, David Robertson, Joba Chamberlain, Preston Claiborne and Shawn Kelley combined to give up one earned run in 8.1 innings.
6. Left-handed relief pitching.
Boone Logan nearly cost the Yankees the game on Tuesday, surrendering a home run to lefty Mitch Moreland - thus continues the ongoing saga of Yankee lefties who can't get out lefties.
7. They made some ninth-inning magic.
Tuesday's win was the fourth game this season the Yankees won despite trailing in the ninth inning. That's pretty darn impressive, considering they pulled that trick only once last year.
8. At least one player hit the Disabled List.
Luis Cruz, we hardly knew ye.
9. At least one player made his season debut.
Welcome, Melky Mesa! You've got a cool name. Now please get some more hits.
10. The players off the field drew far more media attention than the players on the field.
Yeah...I'm not even getting into this one.
With the Soriano trade completed, and some other players maybe, perhaps set to return, these Yankees might finally resemble the mighty Yankee teams of antiquity. The way this season has gone, however, I wouldn't be surprised if Soriano doesn't hit another home run this season, and the only injured player the team gets back is Jayson Nix. These are your 2013 New York Yankees, people - bunts for some, miniature American flags for others!
More from Pinstriped Bible:
- Alfonso Soriano trade rumors: Cubs zeroing in on Yankees Corey Black
- Corey Black: A nice prospect, but certainly worth Alfonso Soriano
- Alfonso Soriano trade: Should the Yankees try Vernon Wells at first base now?
- Corey Black going to the Cubs for Alfonso Soriano
- MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees and Cubs agree to Alfonso Soriano trade, MLB approves (maybe)