Lynn stops the bleeding, Yankees rout White Sox

The Yankees still have the third best record in baseball but going on prolonged losing streaks, especially four of those losses coming at the hands of the Red Sox, is not the way to gain ground in the division. They had lost five straight coming into Monday, their longest losing streak of the season. That losing streak also put Boston as the only team to not lose four consecutive games this season.

The Yankees turned to newly acquired Lance Lynn to stop the bleeding, and he delivered with an absolute gem. Seven and a third shutout innings later and some insurance home runs by Gleyber Torres and Neil Walker gave the Yankees an easy 7-0 victory over the White Sox.

It may not mean anything come late September but if the Yankees are to get back on a hot streak now is the time. They have the easiest remaining schedule in the Major Leagues, with most of their upcoming series against teams currently under. 500. Lynn pitched beautifully and only gave up three hits over those 7+ innings.

Lynn was recently promoted to the starting rotation as Aaron Boone finally pulled the trigger and removed Sonny Gray, relegating him to bullpen duty. The move has paid off so far and Lynn’s versatility is exactly what the Yankees need during this trying time.

As bad as things have been lately (the Yankees were 18-20 in their last 38 coming into Monday’s game), they still have a shot at the division. Baseball is a fickle game and the Red Sox could easily fall apart late in the season.

The Yankees need to take a one game at a time approach. Trying to do too much at the plate and trying to gain back multiple games in a day will only hinder this team. They can only control themselves and they need to establish a winning rapport once again.

The Yankees have done it before. The name Bucky Dent may sound familiar to some Red Sox fans, as he hit the go ahead home run in the final game of the season against the Red Sox, a game that was only played because the two teams were tied after Game 162. If the Yankees are to repeat that formula, they need to take series from all these teams and play each game like their playoff lives depended on it. They can do it, but it’ll be an uphill climb.