Heat of a Pennant Race

Carlos Beltran's appeal to the Yankees was based in large part on his post-season resume. As an Astro, Met and Cardinal, the veteran switch hitter has hit .333 with 16 homers in 51 career playoff and World Series games. But his 2014 season was ruined by injuries; then Beltran started off 2015 slowly. 
Healthy again, he's swinging a hot bat -- at just the right time. This weekend, in arguably, the biggest series of the season so far, Beltran was the most important hitter as the Yanks beat the Blue Jays Friday and Saturday -- assuring they'd leave Toronto in first place.
In the series opener, it was a three-run pinch hit home run in the top of the 8th inning. The next afternoon, another homer opened the scoring in the 1st; his 8th inning double set up an insurance run in what became a 4 - 1 New York victory.
There's been plenty of discussion whether the Yankees decision to stand pat at the trade deadline was the right one. But if Beltran reverts to his form from 2004, '06 or '12, when he rose to the occasion, the Yankees will feel giving him a three-year deal even though he was past age 35, will look like a smart move.


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