NEW YORK -- The Yankees are on a modest two-game winning streak. The vaunted back end of their bullpen, particularly Dellin Betances, is no doubt making opposing hitters consider opting out of their at-bats. The lineup still isn't hitting much, but it is making the most of the hits it does manage to get. And Masahiro Tanaka, their nominal No. 1 starter, is pitching like an ace again.
But there is an elephant in the room, or more accurately, an anchor in the middle of the Yankees' batting order, and it threatens to drag the ship down with it.