Yankees State of the Union entering MDW: First bumps, but still rollin'
It's been about two weeks since my last recap blog, so I won't go into the detail I usually do. But let's recap:
Judge walkoff & quick Jays sweep
The Toronto Blue Jays came back to Yankee Stadium & were promptly swept in two games. Game 1 looked bleak, but a Giancarlo Stanton three-run porch shot tied it. Then, Aaron Judge's first career walkoff homer won it.
https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1524220396702162945?s=20&t=2UAsQ40qGZRyHvXvaLft0A
Then, Gleyber Torres drove in all 5 runs to complete the short sweep the next day.
https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1524768771323400193?s=20&t=2UAsQ40qGZRyHvXvaLft0A
3/4 in the Windy City
The New York Yankee bats came out to play to start the Chicago White Sox series, putting up 25 combined runs the first two games.
https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1525166293657210882?s=20&t=2UAsQ40qGZRyHvXvaLft0A
https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1525558807304323083?s=20&t=2UAsQ40qGZRyHvXvaLft0A
The bats went quiet in Game 3 and an Aroldis Chapman blow-up (what else is new) ended that one in a 3-2 loss. But the Yanks bounced back Sunday to take 3/4 from the reigning Central champs. They did it on the back of Nasty Nestor.
https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1525944290052083714?s=20&t=2UAsQ40qGZRyHvXvaLft0A
Another series W in Baltimore
The Yankees returned to Camden Yards to battle the Baltimore Orioles & the terrible new left field wall and escaped with 3/4.
In Game 1, Luis Severino was great and Jose Trevino, Anthony Rizzo & Josh Donaldson all homered.
https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1526370902597849089?s=20&t=2UAsQ40qGZRyHvXvaLft0A
Game 2 was powered by a 2-homer (should've been 3) night for Judge.
https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1526752326492557313?s=20&t=2UAsQ40qGZRyHvXvaLft0A
I have no issue with him and Boone roasting the new left field dimensions in Baltimore. They won the game and Judge hit two more homers. You win, you can trash talk. That's how it works.
The offense didn't have a strong showing in Game 3, but Gerrit Cole carried us to another W.
https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1527104238513422336?s=20&t=2UAsQ40qGZRyHvXvaLft0A
Unfortunately, Game 4 was a 9-6 loss. The most noteworthy development from that game was Chad Green's injury. He's done for the season. I get he hasn't been as effective the past few months as we're used to, but it's still a big blow to the bullpen. We'll get to that in a bit.
Dicey Sunday against the White Sox
The Yankees won Game 1 of the White Sox series behind Nestor & a DJ LeMahieu grand slam.
https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1528072459005710337?s=20&t=2UAsQ40qGZRyHvXvaLft0A
Obviously, the Donaldson/Tim Anderson beef spilled over in this game as well. That topic has been talked about enough at this point.
I was at the doubleheader Sunday for my birthday and obviously, we lost both, so let me just say this.
Jamo and Sevy, good. Bullpen and offense, bad.
Injury bug & 2/3 from the O's
The Yankees were perfectly healthy all season, save for a Tim Locastro injury. Until this week. I mentioned Green being out for the year. Throw in Luis Gil also getting Tommy John surgery, Donaldson, Joey Gallo, and Kyle Higashioka missing time due to covid symptoms, DJ missing time with a sore wrist, and Stanton & Jonathan Loaisiga both hitting the IL, and it was a MESS of a week. Yet the Yankees found a way to win the series.
Monday absolutely sucked. Cole looked dominant for most of the game, but a disaster four-run third did him in. He ended up finishing with 8 IP, 5 ER, and 11 strikeouts. Not even two Judge homers could win us this one as the Yankees fell, 6-4.
https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1528900495577952257?s=20&t=2UAsQ40qGZRyHvXvaLft0A
However, the Yankees showed some real fortitude taking the next two games. Tuesday will forever be known as the "Jose Trevino game." The Yankee catcher went 3-4 with a homer and 3 RBI, including both the game-tying and walkoff hits. Throw in the fact that this would've been his late father's birthday, and it's just an unbelievable story.
https://twitter.com/HipHipJose5/status/1529312356773281792?s=20&t=2UAsQ40qGZRyHvXvaLft0A
Wednesday, the kids stepped up big time. JP Sears & Ron Marinaccio combined for 7 shutout innings. Miguel Andujar's RBI single and a wild throw into centerfield would be the only offense, but it was enough.
https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1529650039181688832?s=20&t=2UAsQ40qGZRyHvXvaLft0A
Looking ahead
The Yankees start a HUGE four-game set tonight against the Rays. It's the first time they've played all season, with the Bombers currently holding a 4.5 game division lead. No Stanton, no Loaisiga, no Chapman (that one's a good thing). Hopefully DJ and Donaldson back ASAP. Depleted roster, we've always had trouble at the Trop. I'm just asking for a split. Here are the probable pitchers:
Thursday: Nestor Cortes (3-1, 1.80 ERA, 56 SO) vs. Ryan Yarborough (0-0, 4.20 ERA, 12 SO)
Friday: Jameson Taillon (4-1, 2.95 ERA, 34 SO) vs. Jeffrey Springs (4-1, 2.95 ERA, 34 SO)
Saturday: Gerrit Cole (4-1, 3.31 ERA, 62 SO) vs. Corey Kluber (1-2, 4.42 ERA, 37 SO)
Sunday: Luis Severino (3-0, 3.02 ERA, 43 SO) vs. Shane McClanahan (4-2, 2.06 ERA, 74 SO)
To the Sun
I am done with Hicks and Chapman. Cut the dead weight, and move on.
https://twitter.com/ncostanzo24/status/1528494620073680897?s=20&t=zU18kIsmAsDOnjpGctDypw
For more, follow me on Twitter @ncostanzo24. Happy MDW & let's go Yanks!!
