It's too early to count teams out

Less than a month ago, the New York Yankees had been given up for dead.

On May 29 they were 21-29, 14 ½ games behind the Boston Red Sox and the critics were calling for Joe Torre’s job. Since May 29, however, the Yankees have gone 12-2, strung together a nine straight wins and gained seven games on the Red Sox.

It’s much too early to count teams out of the playoffs. (Yes, and that includes the Astros.) There are still 3 ½ months left in the season.

Peaks and valleys are inevitable during Major League Baseball's 162-game season. One week a team is up; the next week its down.

The Red Sox have lost six of their last ten.

“It just shows you how remarkably fast things can turn around,” said Fox baseball analyst Tim McCarver. “You can see now how good the Yankees feel about themselves. We’re all reminded how long the season really is.”