Derek Jeter To Play Shortstop, Bat Second For Yankees Today

The New York Yankees are desperately trying to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays today, and will have some help in the services of their captain. Derek Jeter makes his return to the Yankees lineup today, where he will bat second and play shortstop.

Jeter, who has played once this season, is so important to the Yankees right now, who have been incapable of scoring runs in recent weeks. Just yesterday, they were shutout by Chris Archer, who threw a complete game in a 1-0 Rays victory.

His return to the lineup, while very important from both a talent and morale standpoint, may not be enough at this point for a team who can't hit the baseball and who, at 3.5 games back in the American League Wild Card race, are in danger of falling out of contention if their offensive woes continue.

Only three American League teams (Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros) have scored fewer runs than the Yankees' 401 so far this season, and the Yankees have scored 77 fewer runs than Toronto, who have put up the fourth most runs in the AL East this season.

The Yankees will have to hope that Jeter can play close to his peak in order for them to remain in contention heading into the fall.