With just nineteen games left to play, the American League East, inexplicably, is still completely up for grabs as the Yankees and the Orioles are locked in the most polite game of musical chairs you’ve ever seen, with each team standing back and doing its best to usher the other into the lone chair remaining. There’s been some good news recently from the Yankees, with the return of Luís Gil and Clarke Schmidt from the injured list and the return to form of Gerrit Cole, but with each step forward comes a step back. Aaron Judge has been wearing a Kryptonite necklace for the past two weeks, Clay Holmes has finally lost his closer job, and Alex Verdugo is still playing left field instead of Jasson Domínguez.
So what will these next nineteen games bring? Pull up a chair, and let’s find out.
The Yankee pitching was quite good over the weekend, but their defense (and offense) failed them on Sunday. They should be scoring more than 3 runs a game.
The Martian is back apparently. See if he can make Verdugo a bat/glove off the bench.
Another unearned run. This is becoming a habit.
Hooray, Martian
Wells! I’m glad this is after I’m back in from walking the terrorists
Phew!
Insurance
Double digits
RIP, Ed Kranepool. An original Met and only 79?
Offense is MIA tonight.
Blergh
Yay ... BBB still lives ... honestly ... I never thought it would outlive BBTF ... but here we are ... STILL kicking!
While Francisco Franco is STILL dead.
Hey ... remember when Judge was going to challenge HIS HR record?
I do ...
Those were FUN times.
Gah, having to root for the Sawx just feels wrong.
Then don't.
If the Yankees don't win out?
That's a THEM problem.
Maybe they should stopped faffing about a little earlier?
"That's a THEM problem."
As is this lineup order construction.
We have a Cashman/Boone problem
Well ... we have a Steinbrenner problem to start with ... so
Yup, we need to bring the Boss back.
Jazz is sweeeeeeeet.
HELL YEAH! SOTO!
Juan goes!
F**K THE PAIN AWAY, JUAN!
The deadly bullpen ready for action.
Why is Holmes pitching in not garbage time?
Because that should be Nepo Man's job???
Can I call a DP right here?
He who hesitates is lost.
Poop stick ... I guess that's a DP of a different sort, so ...
I hate being right
Me like runs now
Nope
That figures.
Sweet, sweet Jazz.
CHIZZ JAZZ COMES THROUGH!!!!
Yay, Gleyber. And Judge just missed
Nasty looks to be back
Great. How about a score truck visit.
Score truck broken down on the Major Deegan
I miss the Scoretruck.
I know it’s blasphemy to say this out loud, but when do we begin to worry about Judge?
Nice! Soto with the walk off!
So I was thinking this during the whole at bat — why in the world would you pitch to Soto? You lose nothing by putting him on. I guess the thought is that if you get him out you can walk Judge and then hope for a double play from Stanton, but it still strikes me as stupid.
Great win.
Pay him, Hal.
2 up on the Os with 15 to play, plus in great position for first round bye.
I don't remember the last time I saw a Judge homer.
Probably like 14 games ago ... around-ish
Poop
Stick
Poop stick.
Time for some 2 out thunder.
Nope
This lineup sorta kinda really sucketh when Judge is off his game.
Well they had 2 hits last inning. Just need them when there are runners in scoring position.
Judgement time
JUDGEMENT RENDERED!!!!
For those without APPLE TV+
https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/b8b27546-6d9d-4218-99ff-cb0fd0550c34.mp4
A win is a win ... hopefully that re-awakens The Judge!
Shutdown inning includes a chickenshit intentional walk and 3 runs. Sweet.
Way to play to lose. WTF!?!?
And Jazz picked off.
Devers is Cole's daddy.
That's it for me. Walking Devers is the stupidest thing I've seen this season. The game was over after that innning.
Well that sucks, just got back from walking the terrorists and this garbage
Ah, a run
2 classic risp at-bats. 2 ks with men on 2nd and 3rd.
America runs on Trevino
Judge with the rally killer!
[66] lol....
Well, phew.
Oopsies!
Well at least one there.
How bout a key 2 out bases loaded hit? For the love of all things baseball.
Oh well a little bit of insurance.
One down
Not going to be easy.
Two and three!
And Os lose
I use to stay up for these west coast games. Now I need to be at school at 7 a.m.. ugh. I'd rather watch the Yankees.
Holy shite. Yikes.
The O's have been slumping lately. Got their asses kicked today, 10-0.
A Win tonight gives us a 4 game lead... which I believe is the biggest lead we've had in quite a while.
Gil does not know where his pitches ate going.
Nice way to wake up. Can’t stay up for west coast games anymore
So since losing the closer’s job, Holmes has still found ways to blow saves. First in the seventh, now in the eighth.
Not a great night for Volpe.
Some of the baserunning by Seattle these two nights has been unbelievable.
We will take it.
I didn't realize that the runner at second in extras is an unearned run. It makes sense.
I like waking up this way. Still odd that an east coast team has a west coast swing this late in the year
Huzzah. Although the first thing I saw on twitter this a.m. was "Holmee blows another game." Yikes.
Then I checked the NY Post. Phew.
Get Away Day ... day game!!!
This first inning is a mess. Glad I'm not watching.
The Martian is the little prospect with curls
Now ... it's Bad Martian again ... though I don't know if it's on him or whatever useless 3rd base coach the Yankees are currently employing
CHIZZ JAZZ!
2-3!
Forgot it’s a day game.
I am a little surprised that The Martian has been getting playing time. It is a good surprise that they realize that they need better at bats in the postseason.
It feels like Rizzo is playing better but then I see his .618 OPS and wonder if I am seeing things. We should be able to get at least .700 OPS from the 1b position. Perhaps it has been higher recently.
I’m confused
Ok, no harm
Ohtani 50-50 club.
I am not a big fan of full time DH, but it made sense when Ohtani was pitching. Of course, I am also not a fan of pitchers hitting.
[97] That might be the overall best game by a hitter in MLB history AND he missed out on a cycle by about 1 stride ... bonkers
Remember when the Yankees could score runs?
Sheesh.
Much better!
But seriously ... Volpe isn't good enough NOT to know how to bunt properly
Saving their best for last. Nice inning there.
Gotta say waking up to Cole getting the win in an extra innings game was not what I expected
And Orioles have already lost
Orioles lose, but Cousins is injured.
So we'll clinch the Division with a win against the O's.
Oy. Clay Holmes.
Clay can't pitch in the post-season. Please.
We have a new closer.
Why put Clay in in the 8th with only a two run lead?
Yeah.
Well, Boone is just hoping. Maybe Clay can return to his former greatness...
On the bright side, he did figure out that that was the moment to bring in Weaver. He didn't go with someone else and save Weaver for the ninth.
My feeling is that Jazz Chisolm is not a long term solution.
Well a little insurance
WS have 120 losses
[114] Wow that is spectacular.
well, gg!
Now take the first one from the Orioles, and relax!
One is the most magical number of all.