"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

52 Pickup

Whaddayou know, the Yanks are half-a-game in front for the lead in the AL East (also by virtue of having played three games less than the Red Hots), and depending on how you look at it either are the best team in MLB by winning percentage or third best by total wins. This without being at full strength too; Tanaka and Montgomery are missing from the starting rotation, Gary Sanchez is taking a ten-day trip to the DL after a really unlucky/startlingly poor start offensively and the New Monster On The Block being relatively average to sub-optimal.  That’s not to mention Greg Bird finally getting healthy enough to contribute Heinz horseshit at the plate.  But we know what the deal is. Judge is seeming to make some adjustments and settling into a productive streak, whether or not that means more tank jobs is relative at this point.  Sir Didi is also slowly getting back on track, while Hicks and Gardner have both continued to contribute when you least expect it.  Severino is the unquestioned Lord of the Rotation and there’s promise with German and the Thunder from AA Under, Jonathan “Johnny Lasagna”  Loaisiga. Austine Romine is the new Francisco Cervelli (hopefully without the juice) and of course, our true MVPs are the kids the team didn’t think were ready to even start the season with the big team; Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres.  How bad do you think the Yanks would have fallen off without these two?

So with all that, maybe we can discuss what the Yanks can do to sustain their current level of productivity and perhaps build on it.  There’s an obvious need for another top flight starter to share the burden of being consistently good with Sevi.  Sonny Gray is not the guy; if he’s inconsistent with Romine as his caddy, what will it come to when he has no choice but to pitch consistently with Sanchez? It’s a problem many wink at, but few really want to get into depth about. C.C. is older now, and old for a starter of his stature and accumulated mileage.  He’s had a few bad luck starts, but mainly he hasn’t been able to stretch the game enough to give the bullpen a break (back to that soon). German is not the guy… yet.  He and Johnny are both tasked with difficult missions; hold down the rotation until reinforcements arrive.  The latter has been brilliant in two starts, but the sample is still insignificant.  German has been alternately brilliant and lousy, but again you can’t blame him so much because he was supposed to be getting innings on the farm like Justus Sheffield (which makes you wonder what’s going on with Chance Adams, who is ostensibly the next starter on the call-up list were it not for Johnny skipping the line).  Tanaka had also been on/off from the start, which seems to have become his M.O. the last couple of years. So what can all this inconsistency be attributed to? Could the difference be as simple as age, or when Sevi sought advice/training with fellow D.R. compatriot and the Yanks’ nemesis Pedro Martinez? Hmmm… if he ends up winning the Cy Young or dominating in the playoffs, I would certainly advocate for the Yanks putting aside their differences (or pride) and hiring Pedro as their minor league pitching guru before anyone else gets the idea (that is, if Pedro is capable of doing the same).

As for the bench, they have to figure out a way to get Fraizer and Drury back up; those guys are wasting away in Scranton and can contribute right away. Neil Walker, thanks for holding the fort down. Tyler Austin, I’d miss you, but we could get a good lefty relief pitcher for you and Shreve…. well, maybe not put a damper on things with a deal like that.

All in all, the Yanks are either in a good place or really fortunate, all things considered.  They can deal from a position of strength if they want to, but I have a better feeling they will hold with what they have and replenish their pitching/catching stock in the minors.  Still holding out hope that the few under-performers will get really hot soon (Stanton seems to thrive in the heat, and that hasn’t been a key feature in the Northeast of late) and they can keep two steps ahead of the Sox for the east.  As has been the last few years, pitching will determine whether they pass or fail, and hopefully the rotation will not be out of gas when September and October become a thing.

Enjoy the game!

Categories:  1: Featured  Chyll Will  Game Thread  Yankees

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155 comments

Show/Hide Comments 1-100
1 rbj   ~  Jun 27, 2018 6:08 pm

Craziness in Detroit. Apparently the pitching coach made some racially insensitive remark to endothermic employee and he got canned within a day.

2 Chyll Will   ~  Jun 27, 2018 6:24 pm

[1] The "endothermic" is throwing me off a little, you mean the employee was taking heat for something unrelated? I couldn't find anything specific...

3 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jun 27, 2018 6:25 pm

great write up Chill. Seems to me another SP before the trade deadline is gonna happen, and is needed. Agree that Tyler is a nice piece, but probably not for more than a rental. My money is on Cash.

4 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jun 27, 2018 6:28 pm

btw, hard to believe John Stirling is about to turn 80. 29 years w/o missing a game according to Wikipedia. like him or hate him, he's a constant.

5 rbj   ~  Jun 27, 2018 6:32 pm

[2] I meant another. Not sure how endothermic crept in there. He was just fired this afternoon.

Phew!

6 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jun 27, 2018 6:32 pm

like how the kid pitches out of it.

7 Ara Just Fair   ~  Jun 27, 2018 6:56 pm

I missed last night's gem. Now I get to see this strugglefest. Oi! Atta boy, Cessa.

8 rbj   ~  Jun 27, 2018 6:56 pm

Shit

9 Chyll Will   ~  Jun 27, 2018 6:58 pm

[5] You must have a truly "smart" phone >;)

If there were ever to be a trade with the Mets for one of Thor or DeGrom, I would include Tyler in that package. He fits several needs for them and I could see him being a solid contributor for years in Citi Field, so it would lessen the number or quality of prospects they'd have to give. That said, I like Drury and Frazier more.

And I think Stirling is an acceptable cornball most of the time, but his best work was with Kay as his partner and vice-versa. Breaking them up was a mistake, but that's how the business is.

10 Chyll Will   ~  Jun 27, 2018 7:00 pm

I don't see what the obsession with Cessa is though. What am I missing?

11 rbj   ~  Jun 27, 2018 7:17 pm

[9] iPad actually. Stupid autocorrect

12 rbj   ~  Jun 27, 2018 7:35 pm

Universal DH

13 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 27, 2018 7:40 pm

Bats need hats.

14 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 27, 2018 7:45 pm

Gah. Stanton.

15 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 27, 2018 7:59 pm

Ugh ... GleyBAH!

16 rbj   ~  Jun 27, 2018 8:09 pm

Gio pitching is out of this world

17 rbj   ~  Jun 27, 2018 8:37 pm

And tonight’s offense is Lost in Space

18 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 27, 2018 8:41 pm

Last ups ...

19 rbj   ~  Jun 27, 2018 8:47 pm

We’ll sweeps are hard.

20 Ara Just Fair   ~  Jun 27, 2018 8:49 pm

I’ve had a great night. This was not it.

21 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 27, 2018 8:53 pm

And down.

Blergh.

22 Boatzilla   ~  Jun 27, 2018 9:41 pm

What a shit-ass game. The offense is not so scary without Gary (hitting or not) and with Bird not hitting.

Time to drop Walker and bring up Clint and Brandon.

23 Chyll Will   ~  Jun 28, 2018 12:03 am

There was one interesting call from Kay's radio show this afternoon; a frustrated Yanks fan wondered why hitters were not trying to choke up on the bat with two strikes or trying to make contact in any way, also wondering what role the hitting coaches had in the boring "all or nothing" approach. Was it something that could be fixed? Kay and LaGreca's implied-shade response was that the hitters were doing exactly what they were told, and that in the organization's view, there was nothing wrong with this approach as it largely avoided the possibility of hitting into double plays.

While you can't argue with a winning record, one would argue that better teams (or teams with better pitching) would easily exploit such aggressiveness and could easily strike out batters, especially in critical at-bats with men on base. Tampa Bay might have figured this out, certainly the Phillies did this today. It very well likely explains the struggles that the usual sluggers have had, and it might become habits with both Andujar and Gleyber.

I HATE/DESPISE this approach for many reasons and I hope the Yanks see fit to abandon it soon and let these guys' natural hitting prowess take over. Who the hell approves these kinds of things, really? I would rather see their sluggers hit base-clearing doubles than to strike out three or four times for the sake of a 500 ft bullshit solo home run.

24 Boatzilla   ~  Jun 28, 2018 4:47 am

[23] Interesting. The biggest case for choking up has to be Bary Bonds. Dude was a monster power hitter, but choked way up on the bat.

25 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 29, 2018 5:59 pm

[22] Ask and ye shall receive ... Brandon is now up!

26 rbj   ~  Jun 29, 2018 6:06 pm

Time for a knife fight

27 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 29, 2018 6:14 pm

Well, done CC ... now let's score runs ... and lots of them.

28 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 29, 2018 6:29 pm

Thanks Nune5!!!

29 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 29, 2018 6:33 pm

EVERYBODY GLEYBER NOW!

30 rbj   ~  Jun 29, 2018 6:34 pm

Miggy Jr.!

31 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 29, 2018 6:36 pm

FUCK YOU, BLUE.

We'd better get that call.

32 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 29, 2018 6:46 pm

Gar.

33 rbj   ~  Jun 29, 2018 7:12 pm

Nice, Didi

34 rbj   ~  Jun 29, 2018 7:16 pm

Miggy Jr. again!

35 rbj   ~  Jun 29, 2018 7:19 pm

Belly to belly. Good for Bird

36 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 29, 2018 7:35 pm

Grrrr ... think Gardner should have gone for that.

Get out of it CC!

37 rbj   ~  Jun 29, 2018 7:40 pm

Only one run, I’ll take it

38 rbj   ~  Jun 29, 2018 8:09 pm

Very nice, CC!

39 rbj   ~  Jun 29, 2018 8:20 pm

Judge gavels in two more

40 thelarmis   ~  Jun 29, 2018 8:24 pm

Hey folks! I’m in NY

Great post title, Chyll!

Let’s go Yan-Kees!! !!! ⚾️⚾️⚾️

41 rbj   ~  Jun 29, 2018 8:41 pm

Bird redux!

42 rbj   ~  Jun 29, 2018 8:47 pm

I hope they’re showcasing Shreve for trade purposes.

43 rbj   ~  Jun 29, 2018 8:47 pm

One

44 rbj   ~  Jun 29, 2018 8:49 pm

Two

45 rbj   ~  Jun 29, 2018 8:51 pm

Three!

46 rbj   ~  Jun 29, 2018 8:54 pm

Night all

47 Chyll Will   ~  Jun 30, 2018 2:35 am

[40] Hee-hee, I knew you'd pick up on that >;)

48 rbj   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:06 pm

Still brick hot here in the Midwest

49 rbj   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:29 pm

Not good

50 rbj   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:31 pm

Fuck

51 thelarmis   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:33 pm

What a bunch o fucking bollocks. One strike away from getting out of it.

52 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:35 pm

Didn't take long to see which Sonny was pitching tonight. Hope Boone keeps him in for 120 pitches, at least save the BP.

53 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:36 pm

Gleyber clean up. 1st time

54 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:39 pm

10mins late and already 4-0?! Sonny is just garbage..

55 thelarmis   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:39 pm

Where did Hicks get hit? I hope it’s not a broken wrist or concussion or something. He gonna be ok?!

56 rbj   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:42 pm

Hicks staying in, so can’t be too bad

57 thelarmis   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:43 pm

Where’d he get hit? I can’t watch and it just said: injury delay

58 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:45 pm

####### Sonny ############# Gray.

59 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:46 pm

Bugger.

60 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:50 pm

Great job Sonny, another 2-strike hit.

61 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:52 pm

So Sonny can't throw with 2 strikes. Not so hot with 1 either.

62 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:54 pm

I don't want to dislike anyone on this Yankees team ... but boy, oh boy, Sonny is testing my patience ...

63 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:54 pm

Well, him and Chasen Shreve ...

64 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:54 pm

I said 120 pitches. At this rate, maybe 3 innings. We need Hamels. Soon.

65 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:56 pm

Christ, can we employ the "Mercy Rule"?

66 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:57 pm

WTF did Rothchild have to say to Sonny? Throw sttikes? What kind of pizza fo you want after the 3rd?

67 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 30, 2018 6:59 pm

If it's me?

The only thing I'm saying after this game is ... Take the pizza, leave the gun.

68 rbj   ~  Jun 30, 2018 7:00 pm

We need a starter to replace Gray, and another for I’m sure innings capped Johnny Lasagna

69 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 30, 2018 7:18 pm

Just get Adam Warren in there and be done with this.

70 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 30, 2018 7:19 pm

Thank you.

71 rbj   ~  Jun 30, 2018 7:25 pm

Judge overrules that motion to score

72 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 30, 2018 7:27 pm

Yeah ... that kind of night.

73 rbj   ~  Jun 30, 2018 7:35 pm

Definitely that kind of night

74 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jun 30, 2018 7:40 pm

maybe they ought to stretch out Adam

75 rbj   ~  Jun 30, 2018 7:47 pm

Can we get a bucket of used balls for Sonny? Maybe a bucket of warm spit?

76 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 30, 2018 7:47 pm

Can we get a bucket of used balls for Sonny?

How many?

One?

No?

Just the bucket?

DONE DEAL!

77 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jun 30, 2018 7:52 pm

hey, maybe Els can pitch. wouldn't be worse.

78 Boatzilla   ~  Jun 30, 2018 7:55 pm

It seems like we're running out of ways to say, "Sonny Gray sucks." If nothing else, he keeps the pundits on their toes and digging through their thesauruses.

So I sleep through most of yesterday's day at the beach and wake up for this death march.

79 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 30, 2018 8:00 pm

It REALLY is that kind of night.

80 rbj   ~  Jun 30, 2018 8:08 pm

I guess Shreve can pitch tonight. Offense isnt doing anything to get back in the game

81 rbj   ~  Jun 30, 2018 8:17 pm

I hate the Shit Sawx brown nosing by Verducci.

82 rbj   ~  Jun 30, 2018 8:26 pm

Memo to Boone, give Judge the night off when Sale is pitching

83 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 30, 2018 8:39 pm

It's REALLY REALLY that kind of night ...

84 rbj   ~  Jun 30, 2018 8:39 pm

Hopefully the Shit Sawx get their offense out tonight and the bats go quiet tomorrow

85 cult of basebaal   ~  Jun 30, 2018 8:44 pm

I SURE would like if the Yankees batters would STOP TRYING TO PULL OUTSIDE PITCHES!!!!

86 Boatzilla   ~  Jun 30, 2018 9:02 pm

[83] Long Day's Journey Into Naught

87 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 3:55 pm

Hey Chyll... how about a new thread for tonight?

88 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 7:05 pm

I guess not

89 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 7:14 pm

Nice start for Sevy

90 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 7:22 pm

Monument Park for the Judge

91 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2018 7:22 pm

Nice start for Judge!

92 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2018 7:27 pm

EVERYBODY GLEYBER NOW!!!

93 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 7:27 pm

Blow us out at home, we’ll have our revenge

94 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 7:46 pm

Hicks joins the homer party

95 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 7:47 pm

And they are making sure the homers can’t be Kevin Pillared.

96 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:04 pm

Ah, Sevy

97 RIYank   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:06 pm

Hello, gentlemen.

98 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:14 pm

Matt, it’s for Miggy’s service time

99 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:16 pm

[97] Evening! So far? So good!

100 RIYank   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:21 pm

It's a sultry evening here in southern New England, but not as stifling as in the Bronx I think.

Show/Hide Comments 101-155
101 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:26 pm

Sevy is on fire

102 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:29 pm

Come on, Higgy

103 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:30 pm

HIGGY GOES MIGGY!

104 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:30 pm

HIGGY!

Get that ball back

105 RIYank   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:32 pm

Cash has the magic touch with catchers recently.

106 RIYank   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:32 pm

Oh, well, I'd forgotten about Jesus. But recently, that fits too, because he traded the dude.

107 thelarmis   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:33 pm

HIGGY!!!

1st hit?!

I’m at an amazing beer bar in Philthy with a dear friend (from college/band mate/former roommate) and my wife:)

108 thelarmis   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:33 pm

Nice one, cult!

Hi, RI !!!

109 RIYank   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:34 pm

Gosh I like David Price in a Red Sox uniform.

110 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:34 pm

Everybody home run tonight

111 RIYank   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:34 pm

Thelarmis!
What are you drinking???

112 thelarmis   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:36 pm

Believe it or not, a Lost Abbey Devotion. Cheers!

113 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:36 pm

late to the party. 5 Bangs against Price makes last nite easier to stomach

114 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:38 pm

Howdy, Nostra!

Have a tasty one for me!

[113] Exactly.

115 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:38 pm

everybody hits

116 thelarmis   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:39 pm

Slainthe, cult!

117 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:39 pm

Double figures anyone?

118 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:40 pm

I want double digits

119 RIYank   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:40 pm

I was drinking gin, but I have just stopped and I'm having an ice cream sandwich.

120 thelarmis   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:40 pm

I love Aaron Hicks!

121 thelarmis   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:41 pm

Me too, rbj!! (Always)

122 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:46 pm

I’ll go seven for Sevy, then bring in the second tier relievers.

123 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:47 pm

[118][121] After last night ... I WANT THE SCORE TRUCK!

124 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:48 pm

Just a bit outside

125 Ara Just Fair   ~  Jul 1, 2018 8:53 pm

Checking in from the Outer Banks. Game's on t.v.! First one I've seen since Wednesday. Sevi! 9-0! 5 homers! Holy shite!

126 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:08 pm

bourbon night.

127 rbj   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:10 pm

[126] Same here! But Sunday is always bourbon night

128 Ara Just Fair   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:14 pm

Watchyerlips!

129 RIYank   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:15 pm

Hm. Yeah maybe post-ice-cream-sandwich drink is bourbon!

130 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:22 pm

Dammit ... WHERE IS MY SCORE TRUCK?!?!?!?

131 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:23 pm

like that Sevi convinced Boone to let him out again. NO SHREVE

132 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:27 pm

Standing O for Sevi.

133 Ara Just Fair   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:41 pm

Luis!

134 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:50 pm

nice out for DB.

135 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:51 pm

Still looking for double digits

136 Boatzilla   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:52 pm

Finally a relaxing game.

What do you guys think about Alex in the booth? This is the first time I've heard him. Some of his comments seem to be a bit too packaged, too PC. Maybe I'm too picky, but public speaking is one of my passions.

137 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:56 pm

3 for hicksie

138 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:56 pm

double digits. kinda like Arod

139 Boatzilla   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:57 pm

Wow!

140 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:57 pm

What's that I hear?

beep, Beep, BEEP!!!

IT'S THE SCORE TRUCK!

141 Ara Just Fair   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:57 pm

Awesome!

142 cult of basebaal   ~  Jul 1, 2018 9:59 pm

[136] He's just 100% Alex ... he just sounds exactly as I would expect him to ... smart, a student of the game ... but with weird blind spots and insecurities.

143 Boatzilla   ~  Jul 1, 2018 10:00 pm

Well, Alex definitely comes prepared.

144 Boatzilla   ~  Jul 1, 2018 10:00 pm

[142] Great evaluation!

145 thelarmis   ~  Jul 1, 2018 10:02 pm

Double motherfucking digits!! Drury and Walker!! Beer!!!!!

146 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 10:07 pm

no beer, more bourbon

147 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 10:07 pm

So will Cappie hit 106?

148 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 10:08 pm

Chappi. too much bourbon

149 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 10:09 pm

oops. DB still in

150 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 10:10 pm

surprisingly, Chappie comes in

151 Boatzilla   ~  Jul 1, 2018 10:11 pm

Everybody plays!

152 thelarmis   ~  Jul 1, 2018 10:21 pm

Goddamn, I wanted that shutout

153 GaryfromChevyChase   ~  Jul 1, 2018 10:21 pm

1,2,3. nite all.

154 Boatzilla   ~  Jul 1, 2018 10:24 pm

Bring on the Braves!

155 Chyll Will   ~  Jul 1, 2018 10:34 pm

[136] I heard Alex on a midday show earlier in the week; he knows his stuff, but sounds too rehearsed. You hope he settles down with time, but it is a bit off-putting listening to someone who sounds like he's reading copy for a testosterone-booster commercial.

[152] I know, right? Slightly annoying...

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"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver