Yankees Starters' Abysmal Road ERA Proves Home-Field Advantage Will Determine World Series Hopes

Believe it or not, even after losing four in a row and getting swept on the road against the Oakland Athletics, the New York Yankees still possess the best record in the American League.

They better end the season with the best record and home-field advantage in the AL, because as it stands right now, you can't rely on the Yankees' starting pitchers to do the job away from Yankee Stadium.

On the road, New York's starters own an abysmal 6.04 ERA, which is the worst in all of Major League Baseball. The unit is a lot more formidable at home, owning the fourth-best ERA in the AL at 3.87.

It's more than two runs better at home than on the road. You can understand having a discrepancy, but it can't be that drastic if you want to make an October run and have to face teams on the road.

Their bullpen has been nails this season, but even if they wanted to bullpen teams to death in the postseason, at home or on the road, they still need some sort of length from their starters.

That's a huge problem and something they aren't getting right now.

It's going to be tough for the Yankees whether they face the Houston Astros or Cleveland Indians because of their superior starting pitching, but if they want any chance of advancing, they better play the bulk of the series in the Bronx.