New York Yankees: 5 players that need to step up in September

Aug 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Yankees players including Brian McCann (34), Brett Gardner (11) and Stephen Drew (14) (both facing camera) react after defeating the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The Yankees defeated the Braves 20-6. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees are in a middle of one of the best playoffs races in baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays for the American League East title.

August was a tough month for the Yankees, as they saw their lead in the AL East come and go with the red hot Blue Jays surging since the trade deadline. The Blue Jays made huge moves to acquire Troy Tulowitzki and David Price, and that has made them one of the best teams in baseball.

Since acquiring one of the best shortstops in baseball and one of the best starting pitchers in baseball, the Blue Jays have been rolling and the pressure is on the Yankees.

In August, the Yankees were hit by the injury bug quite a bit, and they also saw some players begin to slump in the dog days of the summer. Age is certainly an issue for the Yankees as the long season may be beginning to take its toll on some of the older players on the team.

The Yankees elected to not trade a few of their top prospects for players like Price at the trade deadline, and that is only a decision that will be judged in the future.

With a tight division race in the AL East, here are five players that need to step up for the Yankees in the month of September.

Next: Big Mike