With uphill battle ahead, Yanks locked in to contend

Suddenly, the Yankees have hope. Actually, lots of it. That’s what a month of solid baseball has gotten them.

Isn’t that all any team asks for at this time of the year? Considering where they were just a few weeks ago, the Yankees will happily take it.

“I think this team has a lot of hunger and fight in it to see if they can maybe defy the odds with the hole we dug ourselves with our poor play early,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.

So let’s say Carlos Beltran, Didi Gregorius and Starlin Castro continue to hit. Let’s say the bullpen arms in front of Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller make up for the departure of Aroldis Chapman.

And let’s say Michael Pineda pitches the way he has for most of the last six weeks and that Masahiro Tanaka continues to perform at a high level. What if CC Sabathia and Nathan Eovaldi have rediscovered their mojo?

The Yankees would then have a rotation capable of matching up with plenty of other contenders. Would it get them to the postseason? That’s part of the fun.

In a season in which the American League has no perfect team, why not?

Little by little, this season has a different look and feel as the Yanks begin a three-game road series against the Rays on Friday.

The Yankees and Tigers are tied for the best record in the Majors since June 29 (15-10). If it’s about pitching, the Yanks are in a good place. Since June 29, only one AL team — Houston — has a better overall staff ERA …

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