It can't keep up this way forever, but these wins will fatten the bank.

How many times has September been about scraping and sweating for the wild card and lamenting those dumb, avoidable losses that had gotten away in the spring?

Keeping their foot on the gas will be a challenge, but it's a nicer problem to have than needing to find the pedal in the first place.

I've been thinking this exact thing. It doesn't make that much sense to get overly excited about beating bottom feeders in June, but every win they get today is win they won't need in September. Plus it's a lot of fun.

[Mildly contradicts self] That said, recall how the 1998 team stumbled toward the end of the regular season and may have been guilty, in retrospect, of a little complacency.

(September 1998 brought a 16-11 record with two three-game losing streaks, which felt like a slide in the context of that season.)

Heh, 16-11 is .593. If that's our percentage in our worst month this year... I guess I could live with it!

This scattergram confirms what we know from the games we've been watching:

https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/vbbt1q/team_fip_wrc_entering_613/

I mean, currently we're on pace to win five more than '98 squad so at this point even a collapse gets us 100, 105 wins.

(That said, yes, I'm still hoping for more like 110-115!)

I want 20 wins plus 11 more in the postseason.

Er, 120 wins

I was living in Colorado in 1998 so the only Yankees games I saw were the playoffs. I am super excited to be able to watch most of this season. Other than the GD peacock games. And hey, Cole! Don't shit the bed tonight. Go Yankees!

Ah, good Cole early on.

Yeesh. It's hard to mess up catching a pop up that badly.

Falafel!

Dear Michael Kay.
THAT is an air mailed throw.

Phew

Complete failure. Know who has the fucking ball from the pitcher. Ugh.
Waste of a challenge, too. Dumb. No way! lol...

Ha! Out

They overturned that call..?
[8] I had just arrived in Japan in late '97 so the '98 season was my first living abroad. No smart phones of course and checking email twice a week at an 'internet cafe' (remember those?!) There was a 30-minutes long MLB recap program on local TV I used to watch at 11pm every night, good way of learning Japanese baseball terms.

The playoffs were shown live on one of the channels, so caught the games. Was strange at first with morning baseball but now it's become the norm.

I like it! 6-4-3!

Yup! My girlfriend now wife used to get super mad at me because we would often go days or a week without talking to each other. I was too busy working in a restaurant, skiing, and playing poker late at night and she was in Grad school in Albany. Coordinating phone calls was a challenge! lol....

Why didn't Wandy get to face this guy? I don't get it.
I know King is better, but cripes.
Well, it worked out I guess.

Some insurance please?

Yeesh. Flukey game.

Not an easy win, but I’ll take it.

Hey, Team! Back from a lovely evening at the Stadium.

That final out by Judge. Man, that was incredible.

[23] Hm, that sounds like fun. I'm a little too far, but I'm gonna try to catch a game this summer.

25!

[23] Hey weeping, I've never been to YSIII, what is the vibe like in person? Do they still have those crazy strict entry rules though with no backpacks allowed?
[25] He's on his way to 60!

If Judge gets 62 that would be the legit record.

[27] Can't agree with that..no idea what Maris and Mantle were taking pill-wise in 1961, and the quality of pitching then was nothing compared to what McGwire, Sosa and Bonds faced, roids or not. Also am sure those guys hit some homers off of heavily roided up relievers in the 2000s?

I have decided that I would Accept a sac fly here.

Darn.
That's what I hate about 'productive outs'. They're outs.

東丘! And I was just about to write that he really shouldn't be batting in the majors..

Oh man that is satisfying. After the IBB.

I mean, more satisfying for Higgy than for me, but still pretty satisfying for me!

Higgy!

Darn it.
Well, at least Nestor had a little breathing room.

This is a little like a little league game. "No he didn't tag me!" And also Phillips dropping the fly ball, and Nestor botching the throw back from the catcher.

Whew.

Good job, Wandy.
I just hope he gets to pitch another inning, so he can face Yandy.

[38] Bing! :)

Dammit! He's too good. By retiring all five batters he faced, he avoids pitching to Yandy. (Probably.)

Hey it would be cool if In the All Star Game Wandy got to play with Yandy and Xander!
Except that none of them is good enough to play in the All Star Game. But besides that it would be cool.

[41] Don't forget Randy Arozarena!

Josh Donaldson..I still don't see the point, and that's not about the 'extra' things, just him as a player. Rather have Gio and Gary, they would have been so fun on this team

Lol. Michael Kay paging through the rule book.

Riveting action here as the umps discuss obscure rule book regulations..Yawn..

[44] I LOOOOOVE baseball and even I find this terribly boring :)

This really is embarrassing.

The umps doing their best Aaron Hix impression.

Naturally.

Cripes.
I hate Matchups.

Phew.

Rizzo with the bobble? Not sure that's a hit..

Yeah no. E3.

Siddown Yandy!
Okay one more.

Attaboy, Clay.

Chappy, we miss you not at all.

We must admit that this team is a LOT of fun to watch now. To me, they haven't even hit their stride yet. And there's this thing of beauty... https://www.espn.com/mlb/beanecount ... a real forecaster of a quality team. (OH shit! Last week they were a 4)

Heard a really disturbing rumor today. The Mets will offer free agent Judge more money that God. They don't give a damn about luxury taxes.

Ah, Schmidt starting.

Oh yeah, Severino got Covid. And apparently he feels like crap too.

A baserunner! Yay!!!!!!

Nice, Trevino.

Yay, a hit

A temporary hit anyway.

Tied

Hix! Goddamm it!

Man. It might be time to try out a Hicks replacement.

Is this Choi's 12th at bat tonight? Ugh.

Goddam.

This is some freaking team, I dunno. It's just different this year.

I approve.

Yay, Rizzo!

Rizzo sure sounds calm after a gw homer. Hot damn!

Boy they sure are winning them all ways this year huh?

This Jays pitcher Stripling looks just like Al Leiter.

Pouring it on.

First couple three innings this was looking like one of those frustrating games where the Yanks squander opportunities and the opposition squeaks out a couple of runs...
But that just doesn't happen this year. That's more of a 2021 thing.

Three straight pitches crushed -- homer, homer, double.
And then you look, and the only batter who has really impressive OPS numbers is Judge. I mean, Stanton is very good, obviously, and Rizzo is very good, but they aren't dazzling at all. And yet we just pound the living crap out of everybody.

Double digits.

10-1!? Holy shite! Fuck the blue jays.

I approve of run support for Gumby.

Unreal output tonight. Dare I say Gallo’s mustache might be working, Samson-style?

Hix cleared the bases with 2 outs! Holy shite!

Yeah that was soooooooo satisfying.
Even for me! I can't even imagine how it felt for Hix. I really like the guy, I hope this gets him a start out of his horrible slump.

I'm not sure there's anything in baseball I like better, aesthetically, than a down-the-line 3 rbi double. Yumyumyum.

Amazing! Go Yankees! Play today. Win today. Das it!

Win win... winwinwin.
All we do is win.
I'm getting so tired of it...

[85] The Yankees are relying too much on winning. I'd feel better if they learned how to bounce back from losses, which surely they will have to do in the playoffs.

The Jays are now 8 1/2 games ahead of the Orioles, and 12 games behind the Yankees. Hm. Okay maybe the winning-all-the-time thing could work. I'll have to rethink this.

Another well pitched game with a timely RISP hit? I like this year’s NYYankees model.

Remember when Boone was awful during the first month? He's really improved as well! ; )

[85] Hahahahahahaha!

D’oh!

Atta boy, Gley!

I'm gonna need someone here to tell me why I shouldn't have such negative thoughts about Josh Donaldson. Let's just talk about today. He gets hit by a pitch and then throws a tantrum, then he -- with Kikuchi clearly struggling in the first inning -- he gets himself picked off first base WITH A RUNNER ON SECOND. He's bringing nothing to this team but angst.

[91] In fairness he's playing a mean hot corner but if you're otherwise looking for someone to talk you down, keep looking; I got nothing.

I can't even be happy when he hits a home run.

[93] laughing

That's ok. Should we go on to win this game you can be happy about the W in general.

How come the revenge homer isn't redemption? [92] [94]

It's really a True Outcomes day. No singles, doubles, or triples for either team -- not even reached-on-error -- but lots of base runners and homers! And strikeouts.

Why do we have Marwin Gonzalez exactly? There’s no RailRider who could do this?

Scooter smiles. “That’s how you bunt!”

Gleyber day

[98] That really was nice. Not even a shift-beater, just the good old-fashioned kind.

I was worried that this submariner stiff was gonna weasel out! But no, he got Gleybed!

That was so goddamned clutch from Gleyber.

Higgy joins the party

Belly to belly

Well I'll be. And just minutes after I [97] dissed him.

Hahahahahahaha!!!!!

Not to be outdone, Marwin!

LOL

[103] That'll learn ya.

Right move by Boone

Welp, that didn’t work out

Argh.

Well that's unpleasant.

But I'm not worried.

Shit

Jeez.

That sucks.

But still, whatever.

Dammit.
Judge really gets a big strike zone.

Darn.

Well that sucked.

Bullpen meltdown. I guess it was bound to happen.
Let's consider it an isolated event. A singularity, if you will.

Can't win nine games in a row forever (as Yogi or Ringo might say).

[117] Ringo?? :)
Bury the Rays, I hate everything about that franchise.

Rizzzzzzoooo! How did the Cubs let him AND Kris Bryant go??

I was a tad out of sorts earlier. Yesterday's game was on YES today starting at noon. I was watching and thought it was live. Then that dude hit the salami and it dawned on me. Oi!

[120] See that rookie for the Marlins hit a grand salami in his first ever MLB AB?? Incredible scene.
My MLB TV feed just died and is not coming back..

Old man alert perhaps but..all these strike outs are just very boring. I like pitcher's duels for sure, but can we have at least SOME contact?

[118] Yeah. Ringo's the one who blurted out "It's been a hard day's night," for example. :)

[122] laughing

"Strikeouts are fascist."

[122] If you are going to hit into a double play, it is better to strike out.

[124] Been years since watched Bull Durham, need to remedy that!
[125] Of for sure, the numbers make sense. I just find 'three true outcome' baseball to be coma-inducing..

Bases loaded? Take a pitch FFS. Take 2 pitches. WTF! That's Little League.

[127] The shifting has a lot to do with it. Not everything -- there are also trends in pitching and hitting coaching.

Cam just schooled Michael on sample size predictors.

[128] Ye. Although, the guy before him walked.

[130] I know, it's awesome.

Also, [127] Gleyber must be making you happy, going against the True Outcome trend!

Holy horseshit situational hitting. Fucking Bollocks! Hix and Donaldson. Garbage.

OK. This is getting exciting.

Yeah that was great.
I really like Trevino. I like Higgy too, but this was a real surprise this year.

Uh-oh, you guys are ahead of me. I gotta tune out for awhile.

Oh sorry!
I love how Michael had *just* said that the two Ks had "rendered the Torres steal irrelevant."
Nope!

8th inning and done or go for it with about 125+ pitches. Yikes.

[137] Always a risk..want the personal glory but what about the long season?

[138] Yeah interesting. My hunch is Boone let's him go for it.
Particularly interesting because the 8th will be the bottom of the Rays' order, with truly abysmal batting averages. Whereas then the ninth would be the good hitters.

Heh, Michael and Cam wondering the same.

[138] Go for it. He can rest after the season's over. ;>)

Hmm, interesting . . .

[141] It's just, I randomly happened to be in NYC and watching the Johan Santana no-no for the Mets, thinking at the time 'boy he's really throwing a lot of pitches'..which some say really impacted the shortening of his career..of course Cole hasn't had the health issues Santana had, but still..

I don't like not cashing Judge in.

I do not like it, Sam I Am.

[144] My tiny dauschund's name is Sam :)

Well, that's that.. Now just hold the lead, please

Ahhhhh.
Well, no hard decision.

Rats. Now win.

Well whew.

So, I'm not that impressed by no hitters. I mean, of course I am, they're impressive and all, but for me a no hitter is closer to a shutout in terms of my enthusiasm than it is to a perfect game.

So I'd not fuck around just for the chance at a no-no, because it's not that big a deal for me.

That said, I just went to look up perfect games (23 in history) and here's what's fascinating to me:

2009-present: 6 (3 in 2021 alone!)

1968-1981: 2 (1 in 1968, 1 in 1981--that's 12 seasons between them).

Is that a product of (AL) pitchers having to adjust to the DH? Or what? How do we account for that crazy discrepancy?

[145] Hi, Sam! :)

Holmes is ridiculous.

I hate the fucking rays.

Ok, now take Cole out.

[152] I heartily endorse this statement.

MOTHERFUCKER!

Now I'm sad.

There goes the streak.

:(

Weak-ass hits. Even the real single off Cole was just a hard ground ball.
Damn.

[157] Just goes to show what can happen when you fail to strike out.

Ok...PLEASE let's cash him in!

Good, Josh. Don't get picked off, jackass.

Well I'll be.
I hope Margot is okay.

HOLY FUCK!!!

HICKS AGAIN!

UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE!

Well hell's bells. nice.

Oh man, poor dude.

FUck.

Hard to see what he did, actually. Margot I mean. How did that cause an injury to his quad or whatever it is?

Bravo Trevy!!!!

[165] I sure couldn't tell. I was thinking his knee?

I can't believe it. Wandy has *again* avoided Yandy!!!

That's one way to start the 9th.

Goddam it. Walking fricken Brujan, that's ridiculous.
And now he can throw strikes, whew.

Oh my god.
It was foul so not too close a call, but man.

Unbelievable.
DJ so reliable, usually.

Gleyber acting like he tweaked something.

Wandy does not mess around. All pitchers should adopt his pace.

Vamos!
Way to go, Wandy.
Okay one more.

Holy nelly. That game was nuts.

Whew.

Magic Wandy

YAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!

God.

What an emotionally exhausting game.

My God am I wound up.

Just in case you're wondering, though, I do ACCEPT that win!

Hmm, Nestor not so nasty tonight.

This isn't nice to watch.

Everything hit hard.

Head scratching use of of the bench here in the ninth. Despite Gonzalez coming through.

Maybe pitch around that dude next ab.

I don't like this shit.

This is fugly.

Hmm, the September swoon in June?

Huzzah!

Yes way, Jose!!!!

Wow. Can't predict baseball.

Well this is interesting

Could someone please explain to me why Trevino is not playing every single day. (aside from typical catcher rest days)

Yowzah!
Great come-back win.

Now, smoke those cheatin' Astros.

I feel like that was the biggest win of the year.

I'm feeling ecstatic.

[196] Ha!

In Yankeeland, seems like every win is a "must win."

Must avoid as much playoff baseball as possible as long as Gallo and Hicks are in the line-up.

[197] To be sure.

Not a good start

I mean, can you believe this shit?

Before the first out is even recorded?

Our starters have inexplicably suddenly decided en masse to make things interesting.