David Robertson: 'We Are Still The Yankees ... That Gives Us An Edge'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- David Robertson still believes the injury-plagued New York Yankees can overcome their struggles and make a push for the postseason.
"It has been a struggle," Robertson told Mike Francesa during an interview on WFAN radio Wednesday. "It's been tough for us in certain stretches. We're trying to get us some good games and we've had some bad stretches in there, but it's going to happen. It's baseball.
"These teams are good and are going to beat us every now and then, but (manager) Joe Girardi has done a great job of trying to get everyone in there, mix and match and find situations where guys can succeed out there on the field and give us the best chance to win a ball game. Right now we're in fourth place but we're right there. We got a series coming up against Boston and Tampa and if we take a few series from them, we are right back in it."
David Robertson
The Bombers' offense has been exceptionally poor this season due to the injuries suffered by Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson. Robertson, however, has learned to roll with the punches and take the season one game at a time with whoever happens to be on the roster.
"It's tough," the 28-year-old said. "You want those power bats back in the lineup. Those big threats that make managers go to their bullpen early and try to make some matches to face our toughest hitters. But, there's nothing we can do about it right now. All we can do is wait for them to get back and hope that when they come back that they are ready to perform and we make the push for the playoffs."
The playoffs seem extremely far off in the distance for some of the more pessimistic Yankees fans, but the reliever shed some light on the possibility of the group making it to the postseason.
"I feel good about this team," Robertson said. "I feel like we've got a really good chance. We are right there. This is when it happens. After the All-Star break is when you've got to win those big games and take those series.
"I've never feel like we are out of the playoffs. We're in fourth, but we are only six games back. We can turn that around real quick if we get on a string where we win six or seven in a row. We are still the Yankees and I think that that gives us an edge. We are expected to win and we want to win. We are going to play as hard as we can. It's going to be tough, but that's how you figure out what you are made of."
Robertson has had a tremendous season with many believing that he was snubbed of an All-Star selection. The Birmingham, Ala. native is boasting a 2.11 ERA and 51 strikeouts through the first half of the season.
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