aaron boone

In the last week of August, as Major League Baseball teams prepare for the stretch run to the playoffs, managers begin to set their pitching rotations, bullpen roles and line-ups to get ready for the most crucial part of the season. Not that those responsibilities can't change in September but as a big league manager once said about the final month, "either you have the horses or you don't. There are no new ones in the barn."

As Giancarlo Stanton readies himself for a return to the Yankees, the expectations have never been higher on New York's power-hitting designated hitter.

It is no secret that the "Dog Days" of summer have not been kind to the New York Yankees. Since the estival solstice on June 21st, the Bombers are 24-30. Yet, Aaron Boone and his team still own an 8 game lead in the American League East, plenty of wiggle room for the skipper to get his team back on course. A little unexpected bullpen help could be more than music to Boone's ears.

The New York Yankees won 9-4 on Monday night over the Seattle Mariners, something the Pinstripes had not done in six days. Pitcher Jameson Taillon kept Seattle in check for most of the night. At the same time, the Bronx Bombers bats were pounding out 13 hits. However, the celebrated mid-August game came with a huge loss.

On Tuesday, left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery was traded by the New York Yankees to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Pinstripes organization is the only baseball family that the 29 year-old ever knew. In return for Montgomery, general manager Brian Cashman acquired the Gold Glove centerfielder that he desired for his playoff run, Harrison Bader. In a strange turn of events, the 28 year-old Bader is coming home to his family in New York, which happens to be a group of Yankees fans.

This might also be manager Aaron Boone's best season at the helm. He has made very smart decisions to allow his team to be this dominant so far.

The New York Yankees are rolling. The last thing that fans of opposing teams, like Red Sox Nation, want to hear is that the Yankees starting pitching is on the brink of getting stronger. That is exactly what is happening.