Baseball is often described as a game of inches, but it’s probably more accurate to call it a game of millimeters. Games are often decided by plays which are determined by the smallest of margins. If Luis Gonzalez’s bat had been just a millimeter or two farther beneath Mariano Rivera’s cutter in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, the ball would likely have been a pop up to short rather than a bloop that floated over Derek Jeter’s head. If Rivera’s pitch the year before had been just a millimeter or two lower towards the sweet spot of Mike Piazza’s bat, the 2000 World Series likely wouldn’t have ended on a deep fly ball to Bernie Williams.
We don’t usually think about these things, but with the Yankees struggling to win games lately, plays like this are magnified. If this team is able to right the ship, make the playoffs, and win a World Series, I have no doubt that we’ll be looking back at the play Cody Bellinger made in the seventh inning on Sunday against the Mets. With no outs and Francisco Lindor on first base, Juan Soto roped a line drive to left. It seemed like a sure base hit, which would’ve been problematic enough given the Yankees’ slim 6-4 lead, but when Bellinger raced in looking to make a play on the ball, disaster seemed certain. If the ball had gotten past him and rolled to the wall, Lindor would have scored easily with Soto ending up on third. Sure, it would only have been 6-5 at that point, but it would’ve been the beginning of the end.
But instead of that doom’s day scenario, Bellinger actually made the play, picking the ball out of the air just millimeters before it hit the turf and then firing a perfect strike to first to double up Lindor. Had it happened in the first inning on a chilly evening in April it would’ve turned heads, but given the circumstances — with his team riding a six-game losing streak and on the verge of being swept in the Subway Series — Bellinger’s play was one of the best we’ve seen this year and certainly one of the most important in New York’s season. But it almost wasn’t. It’s a game of millimeters.
I like big bats and I cannot lie.
Here’s something that pisses me off every time I see it — this idea that there’s actually an MVP race in the American League. Raleigh is having a nice season, but c’mon. It isn’t close.
Save some for tomorrow Yanks!
[2] It is a historic season, so far, for a catcher. He just happens to go against a historic all-time season, so far.
I read they were using robot umps for the All Star game to call balls and strikes. I hope that is true.
DJLM DFAed.
Jazz to the Home Run Derby.
I like this Bryan Woo guy. Fun to watch.
I like Bryan Woo also, but glad we’re going to extras!
Same. Enjoyed the Stanton bomb and Wells clutch hit more than watching Woo.
Now get that W.
Finally something good for Volpe!
Also, I’m not sure it’s possible for Judge to hit a shorter fly ball than that.
Big dub. Judge did just enough and a phenomenal slide by AV.
Judge just missed
Bad bounce
Now game over
Great, Freid injured
Yay, a hit
They aren’t going to let Boyd go for a Maddux?
If Fried had a blister, speak up about it, don’t try and pitch through it.
Sigh, one pitch in.
So Stanton isn’t dead yet.
Sigh, untied
The whole team is playing like garbage
That was a good afternoon spoilt
If you told me on opening day that they’d be in second place by 2.5 at the break, I’d have taken it. But boy I don’t love the way they arrived here.
Huh, Yankees don’t pick until 39th. They must’ve changed the draft rules.
That was disappointing. I thought the ump would just repeat what the robot ump said a strike and ball was. Several missed in the top half of the first. Not fair if Skeens is getting those calls.
[26] I was concerned about the pitching which has held up, but injuries are always a killer. I think still can make it to the WS if they get a major league third baseman.
Like a lot of baseball fans, my first thought when Eugenio Suarez was hit on the hand last night was about the trade deadline. If the Yankees are looking at him as a rental, they'd better not give up anything serious. The other option folks are talking about at third would be Ke'bryan Hayes. Apparently he's an elite defender, which would be nice, but he's slugging .293 with an OPS+ of 62 -- or 38% worse than league average. That doesn't seem any better than just keeping Peraza at third and hoping for him to get better.
Ian Hamilton with the start today...
Watching the game tonight, but hoping to go in person tomorrow. That’s the current plan, but we’ll see…
[31] Hasn't worked out so far.
Glad I’m not at the game tonight…
You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me.
Great throw. Send that dude back to SWB.
I’m headed to The Ted in a few. I imagine it’ll be Yankee Stadium South, per usual!
FUCK
Talk about bad timing. I thought he was pitching OK.
What a disaster. But I can’t be mad at Warren about that last play. That was essentially a ground ball to second. Seems like Goldschmidt could’ve just stayed home and Jazz would’ve fielded it easily.
And now it looks like another loss.
fuck.
That would be funny if Volpe killed it in the second half but no one else did. Ok, probably not funny.
We came all the way back! I’m braced to be heartbroken.
Really need Weaver to lock it down please.
Huge bomb by Grisham.
Jazz stung one and great/lucky snag by the 3B. I feared that was the end of the rally.
WAHOO!!!
Holy smokes!!!
Must be fun to be in the park for this!
What a great, great win!
That was awesome!
That’s a good start Aaron.
Jorbit!
Tough way to get an rbi, but hey, Jorbit
Day-um, that’s a big blast.
At least it’s a solo shot
Phew, a win. Good job, Stroman.
Yankees went from a sure series loss when they were down 5-0 and 7-2 yesterday to taking two out of three. Nice way to open the second half.
More games in Toronto?
Make 'em pay, Jazz
Fuckng choke artists.
This is ridiculous. The only reason Peraza is playing is because of his glove, and Volpe isn’t much different. Huge errors giving away two runs plus about ten more pitchers for Rodón. Ridiculous.
This team is infuriating to watch some days.
Embarrassing.
Shite effort.