"Imagine what the Yankees' record would be right now if the lineup was actually hitting.

Yes, the Bombers are tied for the American League lead with 18 home runs, but they rank in the lower half of the league in average (.236) and on-base percentage (.311), relying far too much on the longball to score.

Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez and Russell Martin have all gotten off to strong starts, each hitting .300 or higher through the first nine games.

But the other six regulars have sputtered, with Mark Teixeira (.182), Curtis Granderson (.172), Brett Gardner (.167) and Jorge Posada (.138) all sinking well below the Mendoza line.

And you thought Derek Jeter's .206 average was the Yankees' biggest problem?

"You see that early in the season a lot of times," Joe Girardi said. "Guys don't have a lot of at-bats, so you can have three days where you don't get any hits and all of a sudden you go from swinging the bat really well to being under .200. You have a couple good days and you're back above .300."

No player exemplifies the feast-or-famine nature of April more than Teixeira. After five games, the first baseman was hitting .333 with four home runs and 10 RBI, his annual April doldrums seemingly a thing of the past."