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With the Yankees currently in their worst funk of the season, it was nice to not see Brian Cashman freak out and sell our future for a shot at the present. There is no doubt the Yankees have fallen on some tough times, but all will eventually be right in Yankee world, even if it is in mid to late September. I never thought I would say this, but this lineup needs A-Rod, with his susceptibility to strike out in big situations and hit solo homeruns at inopportune moments.

With Tex likely missing a week that leaves this once potent lineup with Swisher batting clean-up, and a lineup reminiscent of a 2001 American League West All-Star lineup. And because of that, the offense has looked lethargic over the past three weeks. During that stretch the fourth highest scoring offense in the American League has scored over four runs twice. That’s not how this team has been winning ballgames, and when you pair it up with a slumping pitching staff, a couple bad weeks are going to follow.

Speaking of pitching, which up to this point in the season has been a pleasant surprise, the last 12 games not so much. In those 12 games the pitching staff, both starters and relievers, has a combined ERA of 4.09, which spells disaster if your team is only averaging four runs per game. C.C. and Nova both have pitched poorly over this stretch and you have to figure they will straighten out. With a staff that pitched well most the year you would have to think that any slump would be short lived.

There are a couple reasons why this current team wide slump should not worry you as a fan. First off, since the Yankees won 10 in a row earlier this season they have been playing out of their minds. Their winning percentage is .680, and they managed to build a nine game lead in, the once thought, toughest division in baseball. It has since dwindled to five and a half games, but every team needs to go through tough times. I would be more worried if they stayed hot all year, fearing a postseason slump.

Another reason not to panic is that, at this point, there appears to be no real threat to steal the division. Toronto and Boston struggle to stay above .500 and Tampa Bay and Baltimore do not look to be the complete team they were perceived to be earlier in the year.

Once this team gets healthy, you can expect them to produce like they were before the All-Star break, and continue owning the American League, but until then we need to hope our pitching can figure it out, and continue to carry the team.