SU has noted the very positive comments from the last posting from Yankee fans. Taking 2 out of 3 from both the Orioles and Royals is cause for optimism. SU has been accused of being overly negative with this team all year. Is a wild card spot in reach?
I must admit I have been impressed by the team’s fortitude these last few games. They are still anemic with RISP but the bullpen has come through the last couple of games. I will stick with my assessment but must say that I stayed up until 12:30 am last night to watch the end of the game. I also look forward to the at bats of Sanchez, Judge, Austin and Didi. On the other hand, I do not understand why Texeiria is the clean-up hitter and would prefer that he never play again this season. Slugger Headley even hit the ball hard last night.
The offense has perked up. Can the pitching hold together? I still don’t see it happening but these games matter and that’s all you can ask for.
Meanwhile, over in Flushing, Neil Walker is going to (apparently) need season-ending back surgery. That is a huge blow to the Mets as he has been solid all year. Sometimes the injuries are too much to overcome and that may be the case this year. On the other hand, no one is running away with the wild card – at least not yet. It’s not Terry Collins’ fault.
SU is off to the US Open today to check out the roof. The noise level in Ashe Stadium at night is very loud as the roof, even when open, seems to keep the sound in. It will be interesting to see how the players adapt and also how loud it gets when we reach the semis and finals. It could get pretty raucous depending on who’s playing. I don’t have a problem with the noise – sports shouldn’t be played in a library.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Will be interesting to see what they do with Judge in September. He seems really lost, striking out regularly, swinging at bad pitches and taking pitches right down the middle. Especially with Hicks hurt and presumably out for three weeks, the door would seem to be wide open for him to play every day but he is getting into Travis Haffner territory.
Here is what’s going to happen: Rob Refsnyder has hit .400 in Scranton since being sent down. He is going to get many of Hicks’s at bats in September as they will go with the hot hand. Judge may end up platooning with McCann as DH. I agree he looks lost up there and is striking out a ton. The reality is that Sanchez’s hot streak has masked other shortcomings. As he cools, let’s see where the offense comes from. But I cannot watch Texeria coming up in big situations anymore and not coming through.
Watching Sanchez’s last few games, I think the league is developing the book on him. Looks bad striking out. Hopefully can stay hot long enough to give us an interesting September. He could be Shane Spencer but I will take that for one more month.
Bob, I think the difference with Shane Spencer is that Sanchez has been a highly regarded top prospect for many years while Spencer just appeared out of nowhere. Sanchez needs to keep going to right field. He has become a little pull happy of late. He seems like a smart kid – will make the adjustment. Hopefully, Aaron Judge will do the same.
This has been quite an entertaining for so many more teams in MLB. I’m amazed it took so long to think of this system since we grew up back in the 60’s. At the beginning of the season so many had the AL East as the weakest division where 85-87 wins appeared to be a safe bet to win the division. It still may be the case but with probably 4 teams all above 500… which means at least an 82 win season. No other division can boast 4 winning teams.
What I am liking most about the Yankees now seems like there is a new hero or two every night. That’s the mark of a playoff caliber team.
It has been an uphill battle throughout the season but with all these newbies involved its like getting a shot of adrenaline that feels like can carry us through till the end of the season. It’s all good, no matter what the end result will be this season. I’m confident that we will get a couple of high profile starters, another impact reliever and maybe one big bat. 4 players to pout us over the top for 105 win season. 🙂 Yes, i am drinking the koolaid now….
The Yankee youth has been exciting but I’m not any more/less optimistic than I’ve been for most of the season. They have been just outside the wild card for months so nothing has really changed. They have had a great couple of weeks so lets hope it continues. I guess over the past few days they have leaped over a couple of the other teams in the hunt but they’re tightly bunched so this changes day to day.
Maybe SU can explain the true value of a roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium. I understand how it helps them if they get rain over the last couple of days of the tournament when the matches are played on center court.. But how does it help if it rains today or tomorrow or this weekend? The vast majority of matches are taking place on other courts that will be exposed to the elements. Can’t delays early in the tournament can impact the timing at the end? The entire point is to make sure that the tournaments don’t spill over past the final weekend but it seems like the roof only addresses that under a fairly narrow set of circumstances.