Pettitte’s return vital to Yankees’ success

Great news for the Yankees: Andy Pettitte could be back in two weeks.

The Yankees haven’t been the same team since Pettitte hit the DL July 18, and their record shows it. New York was 58-33 (.637) on July 18, and are 21-17 (.553) ever since then.

Pettitte’s absence has affected the rest of the staff as well, accumulating a 4.18 ERA. The Yankees had the second best ERA in the league with him in the rotation.

In my opinion, the Yankees don’t have a prayer to repeat as champions without a healthy Pettitte. CC Sabathia has been outstanding, but he isn’t enough to carry them past deeper rotations.

Pettitte needs to return in the two weeks expected of him, and he needs to return to his great early-season form immediately.