It’s been several years since the Yankees have played pressure packed games in October. The 2015 Wild Card game with the Brian McCanns and Chase Headleys was never a contest. Just over-matched. If you have some free time, check out the Yankees’ post-season roster for that game. Dustin Ackley? Oy. While Brian Cashman deserves tremendous credit for finally getting the Yankees on the youth movement track, he also deserves blame for giving us Travis Hafner and the like for several years before then.
It’s easy to make predictions for tonight’s game but of course, hard to be right. SU feels strongly that the Yankees need to score first to win this. The reason is that they can’t manufacture runs unlike other teams – including the Indians. When you live and die by the home run, it gets harder to come from behind as the game goes on as pitchers know you are up there looking for the big fly. They just expand the strike zone (see Aaron Judge for examples of expansion). Kluber does this better than anyone. But it’s all tremendous fun and unexpected for this year. SU says enjoy the game and hope for the best.
SU caught a little of the Oklahoma City preseason game last night to see how our friend Carmelo was faring. He looks a little over-weight to me but it might be the new uniform. But what was striking was this line in the box score: 16 minutes, 17 shots. Better spend some time in the weight room keeping those arms and shoulders in shape. I wish him well in the Western Conference and he will thrive playing the 4 position. But glad not to have to watch that style of play at MSG anymore. That is not basketball.
Long-time SU subscriber, D. Harmon, sent this article along to SU regarding the benching of Eli Manning after the next 5 games:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/giants-bench-eli-manning-5-games-article-1.3551627
Interesting idea and it would allow them to assess a possible successor to Eli. This season is lost and they have no healthy wide receivers. Why not?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
I didn’t read the article, however since we all know that the season is lost… you can start Eli to keep his streak alive…. but after a half or less get the other QB’s in to the game. If we can have the #1 or #2 pick in the draft I’m hoping there is an excellent QB out there. He will sit on the bench for the next 1-2 years and then become the next Eli… but hopefully with more athleticism. Eli might be slower than Jorge Posada.
I agree with you as far as scoring first.tonite. Keeping everyone focused but not too crazy will be the key. Keeping our young stallions calm will be important. I actually feel CC’s experience will be an ally however let’s see how wide the strike zone is tonite. It helps both pitchers obviously if its wide. I think though it will help the Yankees a bit more if its narrow… more home run opportunities. I’m still going with a 5-4 victory or a 6-3 defeat. GO YANKEES !!!
PS One thing i can guarantee tonite… NO BETANCES unless it goes into the 18th inning….maybe.
i hope Melo stinks out the house.
I have said it the past few years that I would like to see the Manning for Rivers trade happen. I think it would be good for both players and their respective franchises. Both need a change of scenery.
Who on the Browns actually thought that starting Kizer was the right thing to do (or draft him in the second round)? Looks like they will be hiring a new head coach again after this season.
Interesting firing of John Farrell, and there is an intriguing initial list of who they will hire to replace him.
Yes, saw that John Farrell was out. Appears he lost control of the clubhouse. Too many controversies this year. I guess the retirement of Big Papi left a void that on one tried to fill. Always dysfunctional