Well, things are looking… different. In two weeks, despite several additions that even impartial observers hailed as largely positive, the Yankees’ playoff expectation according to BaseballReference.com has plummeted from 90% all the way down to 75%. Yikes.
It seems like my last three vacations have coincided with a Yankee slump, and so it is now. Thankfully the cerveza here is even colder than the Yankees’ bats, so I remain optimistic. And it can’t hurt that our man Aaron Judge is expected to be back in the lineup tonight. Let’s go!
So creative.
In case you’re wondering, the last time the Yankees fired a manager mid-season was 1990 when the team was 18-31 and Bucky Dent got the axe. I honestly don’t think Boone will be fired, but if this team doesn’t make the playoffs, I’ll be surprised if he survives the offseason.
I still want Hal to sell the team, to me it seems he’s interested in a “just good enough” team that he makes money.
Hal will never sell. These second and third generation “born on third base” types have realized long before (checks notes) age 55 that they will never create anything themselves, so like the Knicks (minusthe jazz band side projects), we're stuck with this guy until he needs the equity in the Yankees more than he needs the prestige of being the owner of same.
No he won’t, but that’s the root of the problem. Hal needs to make significant changes to the team.
I’m actually glad Correa is back on the Astros. It’s healthier for me if my hatred is consolidated.
I really really REALLY hate that midget fuck, Altuve.
[6] [7] The Cheating Stros! What about Springer?
They always have trouble with Houston.
Man, Williams. Maybe he should just be pitching in blowouts.
Williams. Is this the nail in his coffin? Sure hope so.
Why is Boone putting him in these situations? I would have been shocked if he had pitched well.
Can the team try not sucking today?
Uh oh, bases loaded no outs, we’ll be lucky to score one
Ok, two runs
Stanton isn’t dead
How has Stanton looked in the field?
Not bad, made the plays he should have.
Oh, crap, tied up.
Maybe Bednar should have come in a batter earlier.
Still 0-2 to walk is not good, Bednar!
I woke up from my nap just in time to see a 4-2 lead disappear. Believable.
Grish!
I keep expecting Grisham to drop off to last year's numbers. I am glad I have been wrong about him.
Phew.
A win, wow! I will take it.
Oh no, Mo tore his Achilles tendon during the OTG. I guess he’s out for the season
Can the offense do anything today?
And ballgame
I had that exact thought after that two-out double. Game over.
Devin Williams? Boone has given up as well.
Jazz hasn’t
The other thing about this summer swoon is that even the wins have been difficult. The last comfortable win that wasn’t in question in the ninth inning? July 11th against the Cubs, an 11-0 win. Of course, the bigger problem is that there have only been nine wins since then, but the bottom line is this — considering all the losses and the sweaty wins, the last month has been one of the worst months I’ve seen in the forty-five years I’ve been watching Yankee baseball.
[31] Some of those 1980s teams were worse
The early ‘90s teams were legitimately awful, but I was absorbing those losses through newspaper box scores, which is much less traumatic than watching them live.
It’s also incredibly deflating to lose all these Max Fried starts.
[33] Nothing compared to the '65 - '68 teams... but they had crappy rosters then. This team has a lot of talent, expensive talent. I can't comprehend how they can play this badly. A month or so ago, they were in 1st place by 5 games. Now 6 games out in 3rd. Just hard to believe they could fall that far, that fast. And they pounded out all of 3 hits today? They are unwatchable.
Oh good, it’s the Twinkies. If the Yankees don’t beat them, they have no business going to the playoffs
Yay, a lead
Belly to belly
In high school, we had a guy who broke his wrist, but could still kick field goals and extra points. I believe he missed every kick until the cast came off. Now we weren't very good so we didn't score a lot, but it was at least 10 kicks, I think.
Goldie looks overmatched against RHP. I realize his glove is good, but this seems eerily like last season with Rizzo. I would only start him against LH starters and pinch hit him when a LHP is coming in (maybe).
[40]. You're welcome, Goldie! I knew he would get a hit after I posted that.
I feel the same way about Goldie. If Wells could hit, we could just go to a straight platoon at first with Rice and Goldschmidt.
I’m liking this Schlittler kid. It’s fun seeing a Yankee pitcher throwing 100mph.
And now Goldie has a knee injury.
Fine. Rice at first base every day.
[45] And hope he continues to hit and Wells figures out how to hit.
Jasson needs to start sliding earlier or do a better job of catching the base.
Just bought tickets to next Thursday and Friday night’s games. It’s a bit crazy to fly across the country for a couple baseball games, but it’ll be my first time seeing the Yankees play the Red Sox in person, and I can’t wait.
Even David Pinto at Baseball Musings is criticizing Aaron Boone for the Yankees continuing sloppy defense.
What the absolute hell is going on with Max Fried? This is a much bigger problem than anything Boone is doing, in my opinion. When a struggling team has an ace who isn’t acing, it’s pretty hard to pull out of slumps.
[50] Yikes! 7 runs?
Devin Williams?? Hmm.
Well done, Devin!
I do like Goldie toward the bottom of the lineup, especially against RHP.
Is there anyone else who thinks J. Dominguez should get more playing time? Isn't this guy a big part (we hope) of our future?
[55] Yes, but there is bit of a logjam since Grisham became a hitter this year.