Just a few weeks ago the team was in disarray, and some of the less optimistic members of the fan base were giving up on the season (in May!) and predicting an October without Yankees baseball. The rotation was in a shambles, the bullpen was running on fumes, the reigning MVP was on the injured list along with several other important cogs, and Aaron Boone was being booed at the big ballpark in the Bronx. The mighty Yankees were in last place in the American League East. The End Times had arrived.
But over the past two weeks the Yankees have won 11 of 14 games and climbed out of the cellar and into third place. You may ask yourself, “Well, how did I get here?”
First of all, Aaron Judge is good, and it’s good to have him back in the lineup. All he did upon his return was earn A.L. Player of the Week honors by slashing .500/.621/1.273 with five home runs, eleven RBIs, and a stolen base thrown in just for fun.
The home runs, though. A couple of them were the types that mere mortals might hit, standard shots that landed in the first few rows of the bleachers, but two in Toronto traveled over 450 feet each. The first broke Toronto hearts as conspiracy theorists were certain he had peeked into the dugout to get information about the pitch as it was being delivered, while the second broke an actual Toronto Maple Leaf, a plastic display beyond the bleachers in straight away center field, a problem park designers never could have foreseen.
We also got more evidence of something we’ve seen for quite a while from our new Captain. He’s never said anything remotely controversial in any postgame interview, but he’s secretly a low-key shit talker. We first saw this back in 2021 when Judge homered in Houston and clutched his jersey tightly as he rounded third. He was clearly referencing José Altuve’s similar (and controversial) gesture following his series-ending home run the previous October; after the game Judge “diffused” that talk by explaining he was just a bit chilly since the Astros always had the air conditioning on full blast. Sure.
After all the buzz about the dugout peek before that home run in Toronto, Judge took lots of abuse and cheating accusations from the fans in the bleachers as he stood at his post in right field. When he went deep again the next night, he pointed out towards those same fans while rounding first base and heading towards second; after the game he explained that he was actually pointing at the Yankee bullpen to acknowledge their hard work. Right.
Later in the dugout the cameras caught him celebrating with his teammates, and now he covered his eyes with his hands. No peeking.
Is he petty? Yes. Do I love it? Hell, yes.
Harrison Bader is also back, and he’s brought both his bat and glove. The added length to the lineup makes a huge difference — his big home run on Sunday turned the game for the Yankees — but anything he does with a bat in his hand is gravy. Last year we all convinced ourselves that Aaron Judge was a great center fielder, but this year we’ve seen that Bader is elite. Your eyes will tell you that, but the numbers back that up. Five days ago Katie Sharp tweeted that when balls are hit to him with a 75% catch probability or lower, Bader has caught seven of the nine, the highest success rate of any outfielder in baseball.
With Judge in right and Bader in center, the Yankees have Gold Glove caliber fielders in those two spots, which leaves… left field.
When the Yankees signed Aaron Hicks to a seven-year, $70 million deal prior to the 2019 season, it looked like a brilliant move. He was a high level centerfielder with an excellent arm and he had just hit a career-high 27 home runs with an OPS of .833. I don’t need to tell you this, but it was all downhill from there. Instead of providing solid defense in left and a switch hitting bat with pop towards the back end of the lineup, Hicks became an overpaid albatross and the target of merciless booing at the Stadium — and even on the road.
Hicks was finally released a few days ago, a disappointing end to a Yankee career that once held so much promise. I always rooted for him — both because he’s from my hometown, Long Beach, California, and because it’s always good to have someone who looks like me wearing the Yankee pinstripes. It was the right move, but I’m still a little sad about it.
There are other things swirling about. All members of the starting rotation not named Gerrit Cole remain an enigma. Nestor Cortés has been inconsistent, the legend of Carlos Rodón has yet to materialize, and Clarke Schmidt is Clarke Schmidt. Domingo Germán has shown brilliance on a few occasions, but that only makes him more maddening; he’s currently serving a ten-game suspension for pitching with an illegal substance on his hand. He had been checked and warned before, and Schmidt was checked and warned during Germán’s suspension, so it seems like the blame lies as much with the organization as it does with the players.
But just as the lineup has benefited from the reinsertion of Judge and Bader, the rotation suddenly looks a lot more viable with the addition of Luís Severino, who was virtually unhittable in his season debut against the Reds on Sunday.
As much as we like to wring our hands and worry that this team can’t possibly play with the Rays or the Dodgers or the Astros or whichever team is the scariest, the cupboard is far from bare. The surge of the last two weeks has allowed everyone to breathe, and with Cole on the mound tonight to start an important series with the Baltimore Orioles (and when was the last time the Yankees and O’s played an important series?), things are looking up for the first time in weeks, maybe for the first time all season.
So if you were born in the shadow of the old Stadium, if a parent or grandparent brainwashed you in your youth, if you were drawn by Mantle or Munson or Mattingly or Jeter, or if you fell in love when you convinced your parents to take you to a game during a family vacation to New York City, take a minute to be grateful that you hitched yourself to this team way back when. Have there been frustrations and heartbreak and incomprehensible trades? Sure, just like any other team. But through it all, we’ve been the luckiest fans in the world.
Hope everybody is ready for a wild and wacky week of channel flipping:
Your TV schedule:
Sunday: Peacock
Tuesday: YES / MLB.tv
Wednesday: Amazon Prime
Thursday: YES / MLB.tv
Friday: Apple+
I think I’m scheduled for all Orioles broadcasts, as I’m in market.
I lucked into 4 out of 5 ... but just like the NFL ... as broadcasting splinters onto more and more streaming paychannels ... if I'm NOT already paying for them for other reasons, there's a 0% chance I'm going to start paying for them now.
I have Amazon Prime, so ... OK; I have a free l/p to Peacock, so ... OK.
I don't have Apple+ and GUESS WHAT?
I still won't come Saturday morning.
Hey Rob Manfredjinsinjin ... I'm FAR closer to just ditching MLB.tv than signing up for a bunch of additional streaming services, so ...
Blech
Oh ... that's just f'ng great start to the series.
Please no DP again, Ratso.
Sigh ... do I have to tell EVERYONE not to hit into a DP???
That’s better, Cole.
2K Ks for Cole!
Weird Willie ... Gary Coleman's head on John Kruk's five-years-after-retirement body.
And hits about as well ...
Howdy everyone! Catching up on the Yanks, are the Orioles really actually a good team now? Why ain’t Cole mowing them down?
I see my man East Hill (Higashioka) is still batting under .200
OK JAZZ!!!
Konnichiwa!
Ohayo, Cult! How’s the big T?
Spring morning here with my dog, coffee and the game on while catching up on some work.
Oh wow, convicted financial fraudster Michael Milkenn back in the booth! Do the Yankees just go out their way to be distasteful??
[12] Now all we need is some Nostra!
Blech again.
Ugh ... 3-0 ... no es bueno from Cole.
Bader can really run and get it!
Watching Bader play CF is a treat.
The 8 year old wee one is enjoying her soccer team. I got to miss whatever led to this 3-0 deficit. Lame.
Stop giving up meatballs, Cole.
Thanks a bunch, Gerrit.
[21] Pitches like that lead to this deficit
Cole was supposed to win the CYA this year, what is this nonsense?
Thank you Harrison
DARTH!
[25] Jazz, we gotta make a date to visit Jingu before they tear it down.
[27] MASTER ;>)
ARGH
Noice. Keep it going.
Tied!
IZ GUD!
Weird Willie ... shakes head, sighs.
Uh, Garrit, baby. We need a shut down.
*Gerrit
GET HIM OUT OF THERE!
4-4! Os in business. Grrr......
5-4 ... on back-to-back squibs
Uh-oh
Cherry!
Could have been worse.
It's a drag when we can't count on Cole for a good game.
They should get Pete Rose to do a Fanduel ad.
[sigh] It's time for my late morning nap.
HOLY SHIT THAT WAS FUCKING AWFUL!
WTF FUCK!!!
Dear Jebus.
Rizzo is soooo good.
Weird Willie is ... not.
Steal 3rd. Then home.
Sigh
Rizzo is sooooooooooo good.
ALL FUCKING RISE!
Retied!
KABOOM!
101 outside corner fastball ... strike 1
100 inside corner fastball ... strike 2
88, hanging slider ... TIE GAME!
Sorry, 88 shitty splitter.
[55] You. Chose. Poorly.
The nap did it. I knew Judge would come through.
Alright ... let's put this game to bed ... now!
Behold ... the Falafel.
Oh, Lord, cometh the bunt.
Oh, dear, this is going to be a contact play situation, right?
TONY!!!
Hero Time!
Wow. Merridith makes him look small. I didn't realize she was that big.
Nice win.
Wow! Great Win. Maybe the best of the season.
Man, I'm beginning to have faith in this team.
[65] She was quite the hottie when she was young and thin.
That was dope.
RIP Tina Turner.
Uh oh, tarp on the field.
Any update?
Tarp still on, but radar looks promising.
Around 8:40 according to rlyw.
Tarp coming off
Thanks!
I missed the tater last night! Great win against the frisky young O’s.
RIP Queen Tina..
I have NO damn idea whether this will be on Amazon Prime or not ... so far, not.
[75] Frisky Young O's was a Bowie cover, right?
Jays starting to come back against the Rays
(77) James Taylor
Ah ... tonight's Amazon Prime broadcast is on ... MLB.tv?
OK, fine with me.
TIME FOR BASEBALL!
HI OK Jazz!
Cult! I’m lisitening ti Tony Williams’ Lifetime this morning while doing laundry, needed some energy
[82] I'm listening to ... The Funkees - Dancing Time: The Best of Eastern Nigeria's Afro Rock Exponents 1973-77
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESddgZJqEJA
Before that?
Croatia!
The Freak Folk of Mangrovia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TSO6CIVe9o
(83) I know The Funkees from a different Nigeria comp! Awesome!
Yeah, I think the label that released the album I linked above had ALSO, previously released some of their stuff on a compilation disc they put out before hand.
[85] The Freak Folk?
[85] How about Goat?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fbH4s59eZI
They're from Sweden.
Oh, great ... walk Mateo.
Christ.
Now a hit ... yay!
BOOM!
GREAT PICKOFF!
FALAFEL!!!
I'mma mark Higgy down for a K ... right now.
Yup
EVERYBODY GLEYBER NOW!
Gleyber day
Gleyber!
Watched some of the Mets game during the delay. I live in Jackson Heights not far from Citi Field so always keep an eye on them but rarely have a chance to watch. A really bland and boring team to watch this year, glad we've got a Yankees team that with its ups and downs keeps me wanting to watch.
Meant to say even with * its ups and downs
[100] I don't think we're done with that, for better or worse ... most likely both.
Mountcastle can crush them seems like
Blargh ... Nestor's reaction said it all.
ALL HAIL THE FALAFEL SHOW!
ALERT: IKF has the two toughest legs of the cycle out of the way.
Falafel!
GLEYBERIFFIC!
ALERT: It’s Gleyber Day.
More Gleyber Day.
Evening gents.
Man... I'm really getting used to the Yankees winning!
Watching baseball is fun again!
[110] Sure beats where we were about a month ago ...
Just caught the highlights on twitter. Nice home runs. Whoo-hoo!
NASTY!
Nestor with 77 pitches thru 6. Pretty good.
GET. SOMEONE. UP. NOW!
[114] No longer so good
Yup ... too late to unfuck that debacle.
Fuck me.
You thought this was gonna be easy?
I wasn't quite expecting Cortes to pull an HMS Hood.
O's game plan: hit it to Volpe.
OH my dear lord...
Boone-y: Let me think ... game on the line ... really important game ... who should I bring in???
Oh, right ... Jimmy Cordero.
Fuck Boone-y
It's all set up for another comeback victory.
WE MUST PLAY HIGGY!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOne
This inning is leading me to anger.
Cue: Yackety Sax
Watching baseball is not fun anymore.
Cortez meltdown.
Boone-y stupid.
More Boone-y stupid.
I just ... we're NEVER winning anything with Boone-y
I'm out...
8 runs ... 8.
Good job, Boone-y.
The bullpen, which has be stellar had an off day. It happens.
*been
[134] Bad decisions and bad managing leads more directly to bad outcomes.
[134] And saying Jimmy Cordero had a bad day is essentially the same as saying Jimmy Cordero woke up today and pitched.
Raining again ... good.
When it rains it pours.
I might still believe if this team can score a run here.
That was a WILD wild pitch
Hold on to your hats!
Aside from Judge, Ratso is the one guy you want up here or any any crucial point in the game.
i know they can, I Know They Can, I KNOW THEY CAN!
Damn ... but wow!
Nope ... that was, in the end ... a pathetic inning.
Dang. That was set up perfectly.
Can't win 'em all.
Should win the ones you're up 5-1 in the 7th.
Too little too late, Volpe. That ball you missed in the 7th was the game.
Should have another plan besides ... bring in your worst reliever.
[148] Positive vibes, man. Positive vibes.
Gad, I've turned into Booney. ;>)
In ANY case, I hope the Yankees rally, but I've seen enough for tonight.
No rally in their bones tonight.
Get 'em tomorrow. We're gonna need the bullpen for the Schmidt factor.
You can dislike Boone, but you can’t blame every loss on him. I don’t see any problems with what he did tonight. And how is Cordero the worst reliever? He’s been good, he just wasn’t good tonight.
Sure I can ... he wasn't prepared for Cortes to suddenly, catastrophically melt down from one inning to another ... even though that's exactly what Cortes KEEPS doing start after start.
I'd have had someone tossing starting in the 6th ... not having the bullpen ready in the 7th is ... well ... pure Boone-y.
I bet Cordero might have done a bit better if he had been properly warmed instead of hastily warmed because Boone-y got caught sleeping.
As he does.
Paulie's starting to thin up top ... me feel old.
VolpE
Come on blue, even the Os announcers are calling them strikes. Of course it is Jim Palmer.
Bring on the robot umps ... now.
I don't know how to look up esoteric stats... but does anybody know when is the last time the Yankees gave up EIGHT run in one inning?
I'm SO sick of these "personal" strike zones.
This?
Can't come fast enough.
"In Triple-A games this season, the day of the week matters. On Tuesdays through Thursdays, the strike zone is adjudicated by Major League Baseball’s automated ball-strike system (ABS), which tracks pitches using a dozen ultra-high-speed cameras and spits out the result into an earpiece worn by the home-plate umpire in less than half a second. Even though Hendriks’ fastball appeared to clip the edge of the zone on the digital rendering of the pitch seen in MLB’s app and on its website, ABS deemed it a ball—and the system, which the league says is accurate to less than one-tenth of an inch, is judge and jury."
29 pitches to get out the inning ... thanks Tony and thanks Ump!
Alright, let's cash Gleyber in.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand there's the borderline strike he didn't give Schmidt.
Just fuck off, umps.
More bad strike calls.
And ... Boone-y rightfully loses it and gets thrown out.
Missed it. Had to drive my grand niece and nephew home and do it before dark.
Sigh.
Bullpen time.
Rizzo might have done better.
5 innings ... 1 run ... from Schmidt?
I'll take it!
I think the Yankees need to swap Peraza and Cabrera, ASAP
Ah, more stellar defense.
Just brilliant.
I can hear Scooter bemoaning the lack of bunting skills.
One hit ... ONE
Are you freaking kidding me? Another error. It should be an error.
Seriously?
NO ERROR??
That's TWICE tonight that the Yankees made an error and it wasn't given.
When is the last time Cabrera hit a ball hard ... I mean even for an OUT?
So ridic to be sitting 2 rows behind Joe Torre and seeing this lack of offense.
Make poopy noise here ... now.
[179] Bet you loved watching that one!
It's been a long wait, but I'm really warming up to Rortvedt (or however you spell it).
He's fun to watch. It looks like he's a better catcher than Higgy. I know, low bar.
Rortvedt worked 2 walks ... his reward?
Being pinch hit for.
This team ... sigh.
[182] Don't get me started ... had a long, drawn out beef with someone over Rortvedt.
"He's fun to watch. It looks like he's a better catcher than Higgy. I know, low bar."
You HAVE to understand ... in Boone-y's mind, THAT would not matter.
Higgy is Trevino's backup, so, with Trevino out ... Higgy becomes the starter.
Regardless if he's the 2nd best catcher currently on the roster.
I, personally would have played Rortvedt every. single. game. during this stretch ... just to see if there was something there, but ... no ... that's not the Boone-y way.
[185] Good point. One can always hope.
Hope?
That Higgy is randomly attacked by a bear while walking to his car?
What hope?
From 5-1 up in the 7th in game 2, thinking of a sweep, to losing 2 out of 3 ... these are the games a season swings on.
OMG ... Rortvedt is getting a 2nd start in a row!!!
Someone needs to check and see if Boone-y was kidnapped by aliens!
Sigh, Apple+ game.
Yup ... Gameday for me!
Wheeeeee!
I like the AppleTV graphics, but who are the announcers? Yawn..
Boatzilla, just saw your post above, let’s hit Jingu for sure! Hit me up offline
It appears that bats need hats.
It's hard to work up a good grump when following Gameday
[193] Dontrelle Willis is one of the announcers.
I'm glad this crap is on Apple+
No pinch hitter for IKF?
Interesting that in the obligatory Padres/Yankees montage of "greats" who wore both uniforms, Apple decided to go with Chase Headley instead of Goose Gossage.
Required reading ...
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/harrison-baders-defense-is-generationally-good/
DAY BASEBALL ... my favorite!
Who the HELL is the 3rd base coach ... he's obviously is the reincarnation of a WWI General ... more than happy to send his boys to their deaths!
What a HORRIBLE send ... he was waving the runner home as the relay man was LITERALLY receiving the throw ... it was a massacre.
6-7-8-9 in this lineup is just painful to watch swing the bat.
How about scoring more than one run.
Is that even legal?
Yankees D = Dreadful.
Grrrr.
Immediately leads to a run.
Yay, tied!
OONTZ!
Got 3 out of 4 on the trivia question ... missed Chase Headley.
TAG ON THAT FUCKING BALL!!!!!
Tatis Jr, Bogaerts, Soto and Machado is a pretty amazing 2-3-4-5. I'm surprised they aren't doing better in the standings.
Ha!
Alright ... we'd better win it here, otherwise I don't think it's going to happen.
Oh, joy.
Bring on the Manfred Men!
Overturned! And quickly too.
A WALK OFF FALAFEL!
Falafel comes through!
Wow. I thought it was a tie goes to the runner situation.
MLB TV is way behind. As of now, I am still less than 1/2 way thru the commercial.
Extra nice since Rough Odor KEPT making plays at 3rd.
[223] From the previous inning?
[223] Did you mute the commercials?
Don't do that ...
Falafel coming up to bat now...
2 and 0 on IKF.
Game over!
Sunday basebaal!
Greeting Cult
Greetings ... down already.
Shit! We can't even rely on Cole anymore.
ALL RISE!
All Rise, tied up.
Padres 3 Keystone cops 1
I'm turning the sound down on this game and playing Yakety Sax as a proper backdrop.
Hey, walking the terrorists in the rain after Sunday dinner worked!
Everyone is joining the hit parade.
I left after the 2nd inning (to throw up).
Nice to come back to 7 runs.
Hopefully Cole can hold this one.
And a nice shut down inning.
Ha! Uh oh
So 8 isn’t going to be enough.
Double digits
Um, Clay?
Huh ... I picked the right or wrong time for a nap ... c'mon Holmes!
Pheeew!!
Hurt neck for Ratso. Boone says he’ll play tomorrow. Oh joy, West Coast games. Way past my bed time.
I imagine I'll be by myself for this one ...
WEIRD WILLIE!
[249] Just peeping my head in. Got a meeting at noon.
Jeff Nelson in the booth. Love him. I wish he did more games.
What got Kay's fat ass all the way out to Seattle?
Nice work by Bader to manufacture that run.
German seems to have picked up where he left off. Fingers crossed.
Off the pole!
Dag, Judge!
DOINK!
Is Kay losing his mind ... he judge called Judge ... Juz on that homerun.
Previously, he called a ball that was high ... outside.
Err, the reverse
[255] Jet lag?
[251] What got Kay's fat ass all the way out to Seattle?
lol....
I am not long for this game either. Great. Bader is going to come out of this game and be gone for weeks.
Uh oh
Put Hicks in. ;>)
Bloody arglebarglefuck
That's one of those "you had one job" memes.
[258] I just noticed him doing weird stuff like that a BUNCH recently
Well, at least Bader wasn't limping when he left the field.
Whatever happened to Bennie Biceps?
I expect Bader will go on the 10 day IL ... then be moved to the 60 day IL and then over the winter quietly have both legs amputated
[267] These guys run the base hard a few times and they're hurt. Mickey Mantle's spinning in his grave.
Eh, staying healthy is a tool as well, sadly ...
Well, that gets Bauers homer back.
[268] To much weight training, not enough yoga and stretching.
Frankly, I would NOT allow Stanton, Judge or Rizzo in the weight room.
Eh, that seem beyond simplistic and reductive.
Judge got hurt on a bad slide ... Ratso because of a collision with a base runner ... not seeing the connection.
At. All.
Phew ... using the ballpark.
Does German make it through 6?
I will check in later.
The Yankees are NOT good baserunners.
Torres really should have scored.
WEiRD WILLIE!
2
Good job Allen!
FALAFEL!
Cabrera REALLY needs to go down to AAA ... he's just ... lost at the plate.
Oh joy ... right hamstring tightness for Bader
[277] Apparently this Little Willie WILL go home. ;>)
ALL RISE ... to STEAL A HOMERUN!
Wow!
GAME OVER MAN!
What a performance by The Judge!!! Best player in baseball (non-Ohtani division!)
I saw somewhere that Yordan Alvarez has virtually the same amount of plate appearances in his career and Judge and all in all slightly better numbers. I believe he mostly DH's, so Judge clearly the better all around player but it caught me by surprise somewhat.
Looking forward to tonight's game, I enjoy staying up with the late night games sometimes.
Random questions-- whats everyone eating/drinking during the games lately? Ive been sipping Peronis in preparation for my trip to Rome which brings me to other question-- first time there, anyone have any tips?
I'm eating up these Judge highlights. I saw his laser off the fair pole.
: )
Missed his 2nd Homer and robbing the Homer. Holy Cow!
Alert, Bader to the DL I’m shocked to find injuries in the Yankees lineup.
⬆️Hi Springdeeds! Was years ago, but I’d avoid eating anywhere near major train stations, but DO eat at any small local shops you see. And look both ways several times when crossing the streets, Romans seem to find traffic lights ‘optional’ :)
Amazing city overall!
At least they didn't sit Bader for 3 games and then stick him on the DL.
This is one SERIOUSLY trash-ass lineup.
Torres, Judge, DJ and ... the crickets?
FALAFEL cannot be stopped!
Volpe can be though ... siiiiiiiigh.
I will give Boone credit though for flipping between IKF and Volpe at the moment, it makes the most sense to ride the hotter bat generally and IKF has been doing his thing a bit.
I've been disappointed in Volpe.
I don't see good at bats.
That last at bat is a good example, 2nd strike was an overswing right down the middle ... and strike 3 was a trash pitch in the dirt.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand ... he's been making a bunch of errors.
Like ... there.
Im glad that we are letting him play through and learn through, though. He seems well liked, has had some clutch moments and shown surprising power and RBI numbers. Im a fan, and really feel with more time he will prove to be the right choice.
He doesn't seem to be learning ... if anything, he's getting worse.
Hes slumping, not getting worse.
I'm seeing worse at bats, so ...
I mean, not as bad as Cabrera at bats, but bad at bats.
WEiRD Willie!
#3
Falafel with another hit!
Willie!
Volpe has a 200+ plate appearances as a big leaguer. He's going to go through stretches this season where he looks like shite. That's baseball. He'll come through with some more big hits, homers, stolen bases, and awful strikeouts. This made me look up Jeter's first 56 games. He was....pretty good.
I just. don't. see. him. making. adjustments.
Only the same failures.
SUCCESS!
Atta boy, Volpe!
Bad sliders are easy to hit.
There we go
And his HR count regains the lead over his error count!
8-7!
Jorge Mateo, a gold glove shortstop has 6 errors i believe. Its a long season with lots of ups and downs
What would you suggest doing with Volpe? Our team is also pretty banged up at the moment.
Who needs Hicks???
[315] Not much you could do at this point ... I'd swap Cabrera for Peraza, since Cabrera is just utterly and completely lost at the plate.
And I'd try to actually *play* Peraza, to see if last season wasn't a mirage.
I think he's a better defensive SS than Volpe, FWIW.
[314] Mateo is ALSO a much better defensive shortstop than Volpe.
Fangraphs has Volpe at -0.1 and Mateo at +2.5 for this season so far.
Sorry, Mateo is at +2.4
Yeah not saying anything about Mateo's better fielding compared to Volpe, just the error count at this point in the year. I agree with you as well on Peraza being a better fielder-- surely the case from what we've been able to see. I just really support the Yankees playing Volpe regularly, letting him gain experience through success and struggles rather than bouncing him around without a chance to gain consistency, see a bunch of different stadiums and pitchers, all of that stuff.
[317] The big mystery is who did Florial offend and how?
He's tearing up Scranton again, .322/437 12 HRs 10 SBs OPS 1.080. He's best outfielder on the team who not injured, aside from Judge. He can steal. I don't get it.
Oh man I literally forgot about Florial. I really like him. I wonder if he is being kept as a trade piece and they want to prevent him from struggling initially at big league level to hurt that value.
Instead they called up French Dressing, who has already proved he stinks in every aspect of the game.
[322] See: Volpe, Cabrera. Jeeter. You have to struggle to succeed.
Well, if they are gonna trade him, we need pitching and a left fielder and have since before the season started.
Nice comeback by Nestor so far. I hope I'm not jinxing him.
Who else is worried about what happens to this team when Bad Vibes Jackie Donaldson comes back?
Fans should send Donaldson some IKEA furniture.
Donaldson is going to suck upon return. Oi!
[321]
[322]
Not on the 40 ... and if he doesn't stick will have to clear waivers (he has once) ... and is striking out 33%+ at AAA.
[326] You're not jinxing him, you just have to be smart and don't give him the rope to hang himself and get you into trouble.
F'ng umps ... ugh.
That was NOT a swing.
"Jeeter. You have to struggle to succeed."
Huh?
1996: .314 /.370 / .430 / .800
Doesn't seem a struggle to me ...
ALL RISE!
AGAIN!
So wild-- with baseball I expect good to great players to even feel undetected sometimes. The ebbs and flows of it all. But with Judge its like an NBA star-- imprint on every single game. Amazing.
I give Falafel stick ... but his versatility IS a bonus.
I can't believe Jeff Nelson is the best YES could do for this series.
Blech.
OONTZ!
LOVELY PLAY!
[334] Uh, that's a whole year.
Florial has about 50 MLB ABs and that's split between 2 seasons. They never gave him a chance.
[340] Oh, I thought we were talking Volpe ... but Florial?
Still strikes out a STAGGERING amount of the time.
And it *isn't* going to get better moving from AAA to MLB.
I wish that ken singleton still did games
[342] I MISS Kenny
Cult, I like Nelson more than O’Neil, who’s all the worst ex-jock cliches in one! :)
Is Judge the best Yankee since prime mis-2000s A-Rod?
NOT A CATCH!
[344] Paulie is just goofy ... Nelson is just boring.
WHAT IS TAKING SO LONG????
Ah ... OK ... runner at 3rd ... proceed!
[344] Paulie and Kay have chemistry ... Nelson has the chemistry of drying paint in a basement.
THE FALAFEL SHOW!
Hi, Team!
Just checking in from the studio real quick to say:
I love west coast late night games and back-to-back DOUBLE DIGIT outbursts!!!
OK, back to music world… GO YANKS!!!
IKF OPS = 666 !!! \m/
Like Kei Igawa’s lifetime ERA!!!
[351] NOSTRA!
AWWWWW ... MISS YOU!
YOU NEED TO BE HERE TO TALK ME DOWN!
;)
Wow! A Kei Igawa reference! That takes me back.
Jeez... the worst lineup we have had this season, and our worst pitcher. Can we steal this game? TB won but Baltimore lost.
Kay is really blowing IPK. The dude hit 4 average ground balls. Pure luck they all went through. Volpe (tied with Gleyber) is 3rd on the team in HRs. If Peraza can hit MLB pitching, they should move Volpe to 2nd base. Ad last... how the fuck did Cashman let Benintendi go?
Calhoun, IPK, Allen. Worst Outfield in Yankee history?
I’ve caught so much less Yankee games this year, but this must be the 5th time Schmidt is pitching??? He’s not very good is he??
[358] He's been a bit better of late.
Judge misses middle-middle for the K.
Ooops ... over napped for the game ... guess I haven't missed much.
[352] Dude!!! You hip to the guy?
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?&q=Dylan+Elise+Drummer&view=detail&mid=E9CB89CB43CC26D268B7E9CB89CB43CC26D268B7&FORM=VDRVRV&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3F%26q%3DDylan%2BElise%2BDrummer%26FORM%3DVDMHRS&ajaxhist=0
Dylan Elise
ARGH ... took a run away.
[361] Never mind that guy ... what about THIS guy?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UYgORr5Qhg
I was just about to say Schmidt is dealing today. Full jinx alert.
Aside from that potential hit, this is a very impressive outing.
Kay is debating dirt and chalk. Deep stuff.
No shite. Foul ball.
MLB: we need to speed baseball up.
Also MLB: We need to debate every single call the the umpires.
** "made by the umpires"
I'd rather they got things right in the end ... that counted towards getting it right.
So ... no complaints here.
[367] They HAVE sped the games up ... I've got ZERO problems with THAT aspect of the game right now.
[358] Dude. Timing, a tika-tika-tika timing.
He just threw 5.2 shutout innings, giving up only 3 hits. ;>)
Easy as Sunday morning. Shite. IKF smoked that to right center.
This is a good game.
Ouch I hope he's OK.
Also, Allen has many dives today but few catches.
Magic.
For you young kids that never heard the Mickey Mantle cow story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5t_9PKffmM
[370] 8!!! innings in the book, ~2 hours ... awesome!
MOAR PLZ!
So the Yankees have played "Clay & Calhoun" today.
IBB to Judge made sense there. Dammit.
Free Baseball! Do we still get ice cream, or did that end with the Ghost Runner nonsense?
[380] Plz ... no hate upon those living beyond the grave ... these are Manfred Men!
Lucky! He’s have been a dead duck at third
(381) Better than Manfred Mann, amirite or amirite??
Uh ... seriously Falafel???
Pitcher: Let me hang a slider!
Falafel: Let me pop it up!
Letting IKF and Vilpe hit when Rizzo is available…?
Volpe ... yeesh.
Fucking Franchy???
A few weeks ago, I jokingly said if the Yanks could throw a shutout, they had a 50/50 chance of winning. Well... fuck me.
LET THAT HIT YOU???
Sorry ... should be !!!
You send up a Franchy?
You deserve a Franchy outcome.
The bottom of the lineup is just ‘not what you want’ :(
[386] The Zen of Boone
Fuck. An injured Rizzo is better than a healthy Frenchy!
Thank you, Seattle ... nice to know SOMEONE knows how to plate a Manfred Man from 2nd when given a chance.
Win some lose some. But the usual ‘non-active’ managing there by Boiney with no outs and men on. Sigh..
Well ... if he didn't have Rizzo to PH, that sorta tied his hands.
I still want Volpe sent down when they get everyone back.
1st and 3rd, no outs, and we can't score. Chit.
[398] And who plays SS?
Peraza ... as I said last night.
The thing that is driving Volpe's value is his baserunning ... but baserunning doesn't matter ... IF YOU DON'T GET ON BASE.
And he is NOT doing that.
Running into a homerun every 20+ at bats is NOT a good thing.
Shit ... Joey Gallo can beat that.
This Yankees FO is just dumb AND stubborn ... a bad combination.
Peraza SHOULD have been up in August of last year, but NO ... "internal metrics" said Falafel was a WONDERFUL MAGIC SHORTSTOP ... he HAD TO START!
Cue 2023 ... where IKF is such a magical shortstop he's made ONE start at SS.
This team rots from the head ...
They swing from "can't rush/play the utes" to "must play the utes, no matter what".
It's just dumb.
Last night ...
SS Oswald Peraza 3-6, 2 HR, 2 RBI — playing very well at Triple-A right now
Oswaldo Cabrera, Franchy Cordero and Matt Krook were all sent down to make room for Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson, and Tommy Kahnle.
Heading out to the game in a few minutes. Pretty excited for the pitching matchup (though I have some off-field thoughts about Kershaw), and tonight’s lineup is almost a fully operational Deathstar. Can’t wait!
Whoo-hoo! Go Yankees!
Oi! A sub 10 pitch inning sets up Kershaw for the entire game in good shape.
Great start to this game.
My wife is Salt Lake City. I was looking forward to this. Fucking Bollocks!
Well ... this start sucks
Obviously, I blame Hank
;)
An out!
Yay?
CLOWN SHOW!
Unfuckingbelievable. What a disaster.
I am waiting to come back to Gleyber being tossed and Boone going nuts. Or....maybe not.
Uh ... not good Louie, not good.
FRANK!
Can anyone tell me what these two on field delays have been? The umpires have convened a couple of times for non-baseball reasons.
Hey ... on the bright side ... it's 2-2 since the 1st inning!
Fox tonight, ESPN tomorrow night.
Bauers!
Bauers, Yay!
Smoltz announcing, Booo!
For mlb.tv watchers: there's no Yankee audio feed available, but the Dodgers' radio guys are waaaaaaaaaaaay better than Smoltz/Fox.
More Bauers! I approve.
Yeah, he can stay, I've decided.
Volpe's slash line ... last 28 days
.146 .194 .344 .538
[425] Huh ... mlb.tv is giving me the FOX feed ... OK.
DOING!
All rise.
ALL RISE!
All hail Judge.
I took my 8 yo to the library today. She saw a sports shelf with a ¤Here Comes The Judge" book displayed. She grabbed it and handed it to me smiling. Here ya go, dad. Lol....made my day.
Awwwwww ... iz good smiles!
Uhhhhhh....yuck.
Bad Wandy.
VERY BAD WANDY.
Very bad Boone.
80 pitches for Cole.
AAAAAARGH.
Cole was yanked with 80 pitches?! WT everloving F!
Good lord ... even the outs are LOUD!
Uncle Charlie saves the moment.
Phew ... I'll take the ugly.
[441] It is the Boone-y way ...
My bad. I had to go walk the terrorists with the wrong team at bat.
It appears Cole had cramps and thus the reason.
HE'S LIKE THE KOOLAID DUDE!
BUSTIN' THROUGH WALLS!
Cramping for Cole?
Cole looked worn out to me.
Michael King in fine form, notwithstanding the almost-damage blast that Judge reeled in.
Lordy ... seriously ... King gave up some seriously smoked outs.
Oswaldo joins the party, adding some insurance.
Well ... lovely.
This is terrible. What would Weeping for Brunhild think??? ALL OF OUR RUNS ARE ON HOMERS!
It's unsustainable.
A win!
I think Volpe earns his keep.
GG.
Phew, a win. Hope Cole isn’t headed to the glue factory.
Cheers, y'all. Most satisfying.
Fuck! Judge is out with a sore big toe. Hopefully not to the IL.
Why the hell are the bullpen doors NOT padded, and made more secure?
Is that too much to ask?
Apparently it is too much. And Nestor to the 15 day, sore shoulder.
At least Cone’s in the booth
Sore big toe for Judge? Is that because of the collision yesterday??
Yes
Pitching duel.
A hit!
Oh good Roberts, take your starter out. He has given up one hit.
FU blue, that’s definitely a swing.
In for the last third. Quite the duel.
Can you imagine taking Bob Gibson out in a game like this? That would be one dead manager.
A run!
Fuck!
Stanton comes through!!!!!
Yay, walking the terrorists worked
WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY???
Holy shit!!!
Holy shit!!!
Holy shit!!!
HOME RUN for Volpe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yup, send Volpe down.
I approve Volpe's homer.
Uh.
Anyone else still watching?
Oh, heh, I guess so!
I am. Is Bader injured again?
Lead off Walk to start to the bottom of the 9th. Whoo-hoo!
All part of the grand plan. Well done, Wandy!
[480] Yeah, hammy.
Wow that's something Wandy is really good at, huh?
One more out.
GG.
Man, the ESPN crew is better than the Fox, but... I dunno if they would be, without Cony.
And there it is!
Holy shit!!!
Holy shit!!!
Holy shit!!!
Thhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhe Yankess WIN!