Many on this blog have been saying all year long that if and when the Yankees finally get it all together offensively, look out. They have been scuffling of late with many hitters flirting with the Mendoza line of .200 – Sanchez, Walker, Bird, and others just being mediocre. Andujar has cooled of late as has Torres a bit although he is still hitting home runs. The bullpen has been solid and they continue to win their share of close games.
But SU finally saw something last night. True, they only scored 4 runs but there were several long fly balls where the batter “just got under it” as Phil Rizzuto liked to say. SU saw that from Andujar, Hicks, Judge and Torres. To me, this is the sign that several hitters are ready to go on a tear and it will start tonight. Even Giancarlo Stanton got 4 hits last night and MLB was sure to test him multiple times after the game as this was truly shocking (he did strike out his 2 at bats in the continued first game so there was that).
Speaking of my man, SU thought Michael Kay was way off base last night. Didi tried to steal 2nd with 2 outs and Stanton at the plate and was thrown out. Kay went off saying there is no way you do that with your “slugger” (sorry, those are my quotes) at the plate. SU says haven’t you been watching all of the games? Does he ever hit a home run with anyone on base? Negatory. Never. He is much more likely to hit a single and it made all the sense in the world there to get to 2nd base. Not every team has Gary Sanchez catching where you can wait for the passed ball or wild pitch. You need to take some chances. I wouldn’t do it with Judge at the plate but Stanton? Absolutely.
Another thing. Romine is up with runners on 1st and 2nd and 2 outs. Gray on deck. 6th inning. No discussion about pitching around him to force Boone to either hit for Gray and go to his bullpen early, or put Gray up there. The games are long enough and in today’s games where you wait for the home run, this was one of those few times where there was a decision to make strategy wise. The count got to 3-1 there as well. SU says pay attention. Even Al Leiter had nothing to say. Bad job.
The scoring starts tonight against a good Seattle team. SU has spoken.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
I’m predicting a late blooming love affair with Stanton. Sometimes the girl at the dance that initially ticks you off is the one you eventually want to go home with!
Howard, when do we get our NBA Draft preview? (I’ve given up hope of any NHL coverage – John Tavares resigning or not is a huge NY sports story)
Newsday is predicting Mikal Bridges at #9 for the Knicks. Seems like a good kid, but my lasting impression from the NCAA tournament was that Donte Devincenzo was the go to man for Villinova. If Bridges can not lead his college team in the most important games of the year how will he star in the NBA? I’d go with the greater upside and take a chance on Knox from Kentucky. What does SU say?
Fair question, Jeff. On Stanton, no – will never be a fan but I appreciate your National League perspective. On the Knicks, Bridges would be a solid pick. I think he is NBA ready, has a good head on him and would be someone to root for at MSG. I like him. The bigger deal is whether the Knicks will look to move Porzingis for Kawi Leonard? That rumor is out there. KP would flourish under Popovich. Leonard is a stud but is now injury prone and you have to wonder if he can shake that off. My preference is always the upper classmen in the draft. Do not like drafting the freshmen – takes too long for them to develop.
In the 4 games Boston played against Seattle and Houston they split each series, scored their share of runs and also gave up a fair amount of runs. The games lately for the Yanks have been a lot closer with less runs scored but also less runs allowed. You would have thought differently between these two teams. With that said I don’t see much of a change in run production, but I really hope I’m wrong. The T=Yanks have not seen any top notch pitchers in a while yet have not taken advantage of the mediocre ones. There have been very few double digit hits for the game lately. Seattle has a solid pitching staff. Again, I hope I’m wrong here. With Houston currently playing the best ball in the MLB it would be nice to see our team do what the world is expecting them to do. Score 10+ runs on 15 hits, which includes 4 homeruns and 4-5 doubles… 2 intentional walks as well. LET’S GO BABY BOMBERS….
LATELY IT IS HICK’S TURN TO HAVE THE HOT BAT. IN ORDER FOR THE YANKS TO ALMOST GUARANTEE A WIN WE NEED 2 PLAYERS TO BE HOT PER GAME. THAT WILL BE THE SECRET TO OU WINNING AT LEAST MY POREDICTED 103 GAMES. IMAGINE IF WE HAVE 4-5 HOT HITTERS AT THE SAME TIME. THAT WOULD BE WORTH THE PRICE OF A TICKET.
NOW WILL WE PICK UP A STARTING PITCHER? WASHINGTON DID WELL IN PICKING UP A SOLID RELIEVER. THERE AREN’T MANY GOOD ONES OUT THERE. ON;LY BECAUSE WE HAVEN’T LOST 3-4 IN A ROW OR LOSING 6 OF 10 HAVE WE NOT PULLED THE TRIGGER TO GET A STUD. WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THAT TO OCCUR? AND WHAT’S THE STORY WITH WARREN? IS HE GOING TO BECOME A STARTER OR WHAT?