Yankees - Week 22

After a come from behind victory Sunday afternoon, the Yankees completed the week with two series victories over the rival Red Sox and Rays. More importantly, they were able to keep pace with the red hot Blue Jays in the AL East. As the clock continues to tick on the regular season, The team must focus on the next two series against Baltimore and Toronto as it could go a long way in deciding what happens come October.

The Good

Didi Gregorius has been firing on all cylinders lately, shining both at the plate and in the field. He hit .435 for the week and is batting a scorching .407 over the last 15 games. It seems that ever since he talked to Derek Jeter back on Bernie Williams night, the young shortstop has come into his own, no longer worrying about who he was replacing and the high expectations of the position. He may not be the long term answer the Yankees are ultimately looking for, but if he keeps this up he'll surely make a great case to be just that.

Justin Wilson did not surrender a single run during the week in 2.1 innings out of the bullpen. He's become very reliable to Girardi out of the pen and has compiled a fair share of strikeouts in the process (53 for the year thus far) As long as he isn't used too tremendously over the last month, Wilson should be a valuable asset for the down the stretch and into the postseason.

Stephen Drew has suddenly burst onto the scene, hitting .450 over his last seven games while finally getting his dismal batting average over the .200 mark for the first time all season. He has delivered key hits for the Yankees in big situations and is doing a much better job of driving the ball to the opposite file, something he's struggled to do since joining the pinstripes. If he can keep this up he could find himself with an opportunity to man his spot in 2016 (Though many would like to see Refsnyder get that shot instead).

The Bad

It was not a good showing for Jacoby Ellsbury whom went just 2-16 for the week including going 0-14 before Sunday. This has to a big disappoint for the centerfielder, especially after the hot hitting he displayed for the better part of two weeks. Hopefully this is just an anomaly and his bat will peak for the next two series.

The calendar chance has not done much for Brett Gardner as he is hitting just .143 in the first 5 games of September. Unfortunately this is the continuation of the poor hitting he has showed since late July and it must be addressed hastily. With so much at stake in the final weeks, Gardner has to pick things up in a major way or the Yankees could be forced to drop him into the lower third of the lineup to avoid being hurt by his struggling bat.