As expected, the Yankees rebounded with a comfortable win last night. But let’s acknowledge that aside from Judge’s home run, some of those hits were not exactly sharp line drives. In fact, most of them were not. True, the Astros made some nice plays in the field as did Judge, but the Yankee offense has still not showed itself in this series. Nor have the Astros hit – really at all – and they should feel fortunate to be up 2-1 in the series.
If you watched last night, Sanchez continues to have a hard time catching the ball and SU says it may be impacting his hitting. Or vice versa. In any event, CC knows where his pitches are going and Sanchez still dropped or missed several. Sonny Gray is going tonight and as we know, no-one knows where those pitches are heading. Four wild pitches in game 1 of the ALDS. SU says start Romine behind the plate and put Sanchez in at DH. Allow him to just concentrate on his hitting. Romine is a much better defensive catcher and can help to control the running game better. You know there will be more traffic on the bases tonight with Gray who will throw 97 pitches to get through 4 innings with several walks. The good news is that you lose nothing offensively as putting Headley or Ellsbury on the bench just loses 1 single for all of the post-season.
No-one is mentioning it but SU says watch for this bold Girardi move this afternoon. Every run will matter today and perhaps it gets Sanchez untracked.
Thoughts?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Its actually a good idea to start Romine. I don’t know what the Yankees instructional coaches can do to help Sanchez at this point. he has caught close to 150 games this year. You would think he should improve over the year. I do expect Houston to run the base paths more aggressively tonite… especially if Sanchez is back there. Still looking for tonight being a similar offensive explosion for us but Houston will also hit. 8-6 win. The key once again is to get each other’s pitching staff to throw alot of pitches. I still wish Judge and Sanchez would both look to swing at the first pitch. It is usually a fast ball.
I do think Sanchez was being more aggressive last night and swinging earlier in the count. Judge is making progress over the last 2 games and I expect that to continue. Didi hit the ball hard a couple of times. I agree this could be higher scoring. You have to hope that you don’t need to bring in Betances for any reason. Too scary.
I agree 100% with starting Romine. You are getting nothing out of your DH anyway and could be a nice excuse to rest Sanchez legs. He has caught a lot of innings and three games in a row is a lot. We will see what Girardi does!!!
Agreed 100% on Romine. Sanchez cannot hold onto the ball. This is no longer just an issue with blocking balls in the dirt. He drops pitches right down the middle. He drops warmup pitches. Yesterday he missed what could have been strike three but the ump saw it glance off his glove and called the close pitch a ball…leading to a walk and a bases loaded jam that CC got out of. Your point about the lack of production from the DH spot make this decision easier. If Girardi watches any tape of Gray’s start against the Indians, there’s no way he puts Sanchez behind the plate. (This off-season Sanchez has to work on this or find another position. It’s just infuriating.)
I’d disagree about Houston’s defense. It let them down a couple times last night, particularly on the play where Maybin made the long run only to stop and watch a catchable ball bounce right in front of him. There was another play where Altuve couldn’t get the ball out of his glove to make a throw. (Note there was commentary earlier about how he wasn’t using his own glove. The thing looked a good 2-3 inches bigger than what a 2nd baseman usually uses. Altuve is amazing and needs exactly zero baseball advice from me but he should wear the right glove for the position.)
Can we get a doctor to diagnose Betances with something to get him on the DL and another warm body on the roster? It’s very hard to see the situation where Girardi brings him in again.
It didn’t matter in the game but there have been a lot of Yankees thrown out on the bases. Running for third. Running for home. Picked off at 2nd. And yesterday picked of at 1st. Maybe this is what happens when you’re aggressive.
And lets make sure to praise Didi for his bunt single. He did exactly what we’ve been talking about going back to Texiera and maybe Giambi. If they move the infielders around just bunt it to third. It is the easiest way to get on base. It sends the message to the other team that you can execute. It frustrates the pitcher who will begin to question/doubt the shifts in the defense. And maybe it gets them to play you more traditionally in the future.
And there we have it. Romine starting at catcher and batting 9th. If he can maintain a pulse for 9 innings while going 0-3, he will have filled the offensive shoes of Ellsbury, Headley, et al. Today’s “early” start gives Girardi the 2nd-catcher-in-a-daygame-after-a-nightgame explanation and avoids any hurt feelings. Biggest downside will be the inability to pinch hit for Romine in later innings without losing the DH and putting Sanchez back behind the plate.