Strong offense can’t mask uncertainty surrounding Yankees

There’s just something not right about these numbers, and American League teams may yet pay a price when the results finally align with the numbers.

The Yankees continue to trail the Sox by double digits and it is highly unlikely they will catch Boston no matter what kind of surge they put on in the second half.

The Sox would have to completely collapse for the Yankees to catch them. That’s what makes great sports history, but not likely in this case.

Still, the Yankees continue to have offensive numbers that rank in the top 5 in almost every category in the American League. They are due.

One problem has been a bullpen that cannot save the one run games. They have the worst one-run win percentage in the league.

Their middle relief has been a disaster. Mariano Rivera had a bad start, but is now closing well. The trouble is the Yankees can’t get to him with the lead.

Another problem has been their inability to beat lefthanders. They are 8-13 against lefthanded starters. Last year they finished 31-17 against the lefties.

The road has also been a problem. The Yankees are 16-25 away from Yankee Stadium. Last year they were 47-34 out of the suitcases.

However, these are numbers that can be corrected with the offense they have and with the starters, who while old, can give the team six innings and a chance to win the games.

Prior to the trade deadline of July 31, the Yankees will have to improve the middle of the bullpen. That will not be easy, since they have little to part with and will not forgo the future by trading young players.

They bounce between six to eight games out of the wild-card spot, but that keeps them within striking distance.

Beneath the surface, there are greater problems that may not be overcome.

Joe Torre is in the last year of his contract and nobody around the team believes he will be re-signed. He wants to come back.

Derek Jeter has never played at the majors under another manager and does not take the failure to re-up Torre lightly.

Alex Rodriguez has the opt- out provision in his contract for this year. With the year he is having there will be even more money thrown at him from other teams.

George Steinbrenner intended to turn the operations of the Yankees over to his son-in-law, but now there is a divorce in the offing and Steinbrenner is unusually quiet while GM Brian Cashman runs the club.

Those issues will not get resolved on the field and create a sense of uncertainty for the future that has not been around the Yankees for a while.

They have the numbers to have a much better second half of the season, but will the other issues weigh too heavily? Finding those answers is the reason the games get played.

Old Town native Gary Thorne is an ESPN and ABC sportscaster.