New York Yankees: Top Five things that will keep the Yanks atop the AL East

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Jun 6, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (19) reacts walking to the dugout against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Number One: Masahrio Tanaka has to fix this mess of a season

It’s hard not to beat a dead horse when said horse could make-or-break the Yankees season.

Yes, CC Sabathia is finding youth, and yes, Luis Severino is dominating, but they aren’t the ace of this staff.

Masahiro Tanaka is going to be the reason whether or not the New York Yankees are going to stay in first place down the stretch. Every team needs their ace to be a go-to player, and Tanaka is anything but that at the moment.

He is just terrible.

Awful.

Abysmal.

Whatever synonym you want to choose, he is terrible. His ERA is above six, and he is giving up colossal innings left-and-right.

Larry Rothschild has his work cutout for him with this one. Tanaka is a jigsaw puzzle, and it’s like your cat has eaten four of the pieces.

There’s just no figuring him out.

In order to ensure a playoff spot for the Bombers, they are going to have to get a big improvement out of their so-called ace.

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