If the Yankees were 54-32 and comfortably cruising towards the playoffs rather than 44-42 and desperately clinging to dwindling hopes, this weekend’s series with the Houston Astros would be filled with drama and secondary storylines. We’d be gnashing our teeth heading into a three-game set with a team that isn’t just the class of the American League but a true Yankee nemesis filled with villains up and down the lineup.
But as things are, the Yankees can’t afford to worry about which team is in the opposing dugout. Whether it’s the Astros or the Orioles, the Yankees need wins and lots of them. They’ve put themselves in a position where they’re essentially already in the playoffs, but instead of a five-game series they’re engaged in an eleven-week crucible that demands they win five of every eight games at a minimum. They’ll either eliminate themselves early and limp to the finish line, or they’ll arrive in October battle scarred and forged into a team no one will want to play.
Can this team pull off such a feat? That’s the true value of a series like this. The Yankees can’t afford to think about revenge. Should Aroldis Chapman wind up facing José Altuve with a one-run lead in the ninth inning (gulp!), it won’t make sense to think back to how the Yankee season ended in 2019. Winning two or three games this weekend obviously won’t change the outcomes of either 2017 or 2019, nor will it guarantee anything this season. If the Yankees manage to win twice this weekend, it will simply mean that they’ll need to win just 48 games the rest of the way instead of 50. First-half mediocrity brings nothing but second-half pragmatism.
The good news? It’s possible. Sure, Thursday saw the Yankees fall into old habits as they made a rookie pitcher look like Sandy Koufax and failed to close the deal on a potential series sweep, but there are positive developments that give reason for optimism. Luke Voit had seven hits in eight at bats during the first two games of the Seattle series, Gary Sánchez is a serious offensive threat again, and were it not for the most anti-climactic MVP race I can remember, Aaron Judge would be a strong candidate for the award.
So buckle up, everybody. We’re about to learn something.
Ugh , tomorrow is a Fox game, Sunday it’s TBS.
More RISP failure.
Gritner! I was just thinking how Gardner might get a walk, but probably an easy out. Way to prove me wrong, Brett!
Brett is only mostly dead.
If things stay where they are, it’s going to be really interesting to see if Boone goes to Chapman in the ninth.
[5] Chad Green. Chapman has to figure things out and the team doesn’t have wins to give away.
Agree totally — I’m just not sure Boone agrees.
Judge!
Phew
Huh, Greinke out.
Rats, no no is gone.
Cole getting squeezed.
They are not putting Chapman into this game. Please, God, no.
They better not. Chad Green.
Motherfucking Altuve. Little twerp.
Wow,they left Cole in. I like it, but..
Professional Hitter™ Brantley worries me..
It's never good when a player talks a manager out of a decision.
Game Settoh!
Oh man, this is ballsy..
Back to back shutouts? Is that allowed?
I guess Cole is out of his slump.
Awesome! What an effort, great game!
I Like angry Cole
Half Empty Dude: Hundreds of men LOB.
[24] Yes, we need more of that.
The "stoic Yankee" thing has not been working.
Hot damn! Been outta town for 8 days and found the 8th inning on the tube in a Harrisburgh hotel. Go Yankees!
Oh joy, TBS.
Ah, the “take parents for ice cream then walk the terrorists” ploy worked.
Charlie Brownish.
Crap.
I could get used to this scoring.
2 games in a row. I'm just going to turn the tv on starting each 8th inning from now on. Go GARY! GO YANKEES!
Kraken released!
German for the ninth. Three inning save.
Well, yup, pull him.
Um
Uh-oh.
Er
Why did I wake up so early....
JFC!
Modammit!
It actually did occur to me heading to the ninth that a five-run lead didn’t feel nearly as comfortable as a five-run lead should feel. Damn it all.
I hate fucking Altuve.
Boone: {Cole throwing darts} I better go pull him.
Boone: {Green throwing batting practice} *crickets*
On the one hand, I would’ve signed up for a 4-2 road trip, but this loss stings more for what it takes away than anything else. This could’ve been an almost perfect series sweep, and the ideal way to head into the second half.
It could’ve been worse — it could’ve been Chapman giving up that homer. I still have faith in Chad Green, so long as he isn’t pitching to Altuve.
Game of the year followed by the crusher of the year. Yankees 2021 style!
So the Yankees have lost three games in the last three weeks by yielding 7, 6, and now 5 runs in the opposing teams’ final at bats.
I think the narrative of this season is that this team finds ways to lose.
It's said that great teams (and we've seen great Yankee teams) somehow, someway find a way to win. Remember Mystic and Aura?
This team is not a great team and time and time again, they have proved it by snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Al Leiter’s just got drafted. #2 overall.
Could the AL uniforms be any uglier?
The first thing I noticed was the terrible uniforms. Players should wear the team uniforms. The second thing I noticed is that Cole didn't get a chance to pitch in the all star game. Does Cash hate the Yankees so much that he didn't pitch one of the games best pitchers in the All Star game?
Remember, Cole threw 129 pitches three days ago. There was no way he was going to pitch in the All Star Game.
Oops, forgot about that. Still steaming from the final game against Houston. Thanks Hank.
Sigh game postponed.
At least Meredith Marakovits is looking more luscious than ever.