Full Disclosure: SU stayed up until 1:20 am last night to watch the end of the Yankee game. I was going to pack it in when they took the lead at 14-12, but the wireless went out and the thought of waking up in the middle of the night and being unable to find out who won the game was too much to take. Wild game. It was a great win for the Yankees but some causes of concern:
- German had nothing all game which was fine. He’s been great. But it was troubling to SU that Boone did not take him out earlier. It was clear he could not throw any pitch for a strike. He finally gave up the 3-run home run to make it 8-2. That was avoidable. Bad job there.
- Chapman was throwing around 95 mph for most of his inning. SU is right about this: he no longer is lights out. Always lets the first guy on base. He cannot throw his fastball for strikes. SU says watch for the stint on the IL coming up. Something is wrong with him.
- Britton was no better nor was Ottavino but they have generally been good so you just have to acknowledge the occasional bad game.
- SU likes the offense but I must admit that in a ballpark that is not a band box like Minnesota, there were so many home runs (again) last night and a number of doubles that just missed. What is going on with the ball? And can the Yankee hitters please run it out? Even Judge was caught admiring one of his blasts that just missed and he should have been on 3rd base in the 8th inning.
This brings me to my biggest concern/complaint. Gary Sanchez. He is hitting .100 for July and is pulling everything. Now, truth be told, he has hit a few hot shots to the left side that were caught or turned into a double play but SU says: HIT TO RIGHT FIELD. You are capable of it. You have done it in your career. Boone puts him right in the middle of the line up and he is a rally killer. Now, mercifully, it looks like he sprained his ankle last night and should go on the IL which will help him. Watching LeMahieu hit should be an inspiration for his teammates like Sanchez.
Btw, Tauchman has been great and now that Maybin is rehabbing, it’s a tough call for Cashman what to do. SU says Tauchman gives you another left-handed bat (which they desperately need) and he is red hot. He is 13 for 29 against lefties this year to boot. SU would play him ahead of Gardner while he’s hot.
Bottom line: SU says this season is all about reaching the World Series. You don’t have to win it but you have to make it. The offense is great but the starters inability to pitch past 6 innings is catching up with the bullpen now given that the top line guys may be tiring. The next week will be interesting to see what Cashman does. SU is fine with Severino and Bettances being added to the mix assuming that they can get there with their rehab program.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Should have stayed up for the postgame- Sanchez’ injury is actually a groin and if past is prologue that may keep him out for several weeks. Team was really celebrating afterwards but the reality is but for Hicks’ great catch that ball was a game-ending, bases-clearing hit. Yankees’ scheduled in the next few weeks is pretty interesting- Red Sox for 8 games out of 10, followed by 10 against Baltimore/Toronto, followed by 10 against Cleveland/Oakland/Dodgers.
Did not make it through the game but we’ve seen a few like this druing the season. They can win a lot of ways and some nights it takes all of them. Something may be wrong with Chapman but he’s always had maddening outings. Coming on the heals of Rivera’s induction, it can be alarming but Chapman stands up pretty well when compared to just about any normal closer.
We’ll see what Sanchez’ injury looks like but he’s been ice cold. I’m always the first to jump on him and SU’s observations are right. Still, let’s remember that he carried this team for a couple months. He’s been slumping lately but overall, it’s been an excellent season for him.
I guess you never know what you’re going to get but the contributions that the Yankees have gotten from people that nobody was talking about in Spring Training are pretty incredible. Urshela. German. Tauchman. It’s reminiscent of the Red Sox last year when just about anyone they put out there performed. Let’s hope they continue to follow the pattern.
What an amazing catch. Flipped to the game after watching the 11:00 news and finding out game was still on. Two hours later I was finally allowed to go to sleep. Welcome to baseball in 2019! If these two teams meet in the playoffs the late TV starts may not end until 2 AM every night. I thought we were trying to speed up the game but by juicing the baseball and averaging 10 combined runs a game we are left bleary eyed.
The dog days of August are approaching and we should all take a lesson from the World Champion Toronto Raptors. Rest your star players so they can be there when it counts! Feign an injury to give your guys a 10 day break on the IL.
As the trade deadline approaches it’s time to look back and take inventory of all the great prospects the Mets have accumulated over the last 2 years of summer trades. There is not one! Instead of eating salary to allow cap constrained teams to add players the Mets have taken the opposite approach. Every single trade the Mets have made they have taken back lesser prospects for the sole purpose of salary relief. Don’t expect anything different this time. Another lost season and all the Wilpons care about is saving a few million bucks off of payroll. We are a small market team in the middle of the greatest city in the world! And who at MLB approved the Chick Filet foul pole adds that obstruct so many views? A complete disgrace and another example of short sighted revenue grabs at the expense of the fans!
Everyone (especially the media) is always talking about the Yankees needing pitching. Their big item pitching acquisitions under Cashman in recent years has been atrocious. Paxton, Happ, Gray either get injured or can’t handle NY. Here’s an idea: Why don’t you give your own pitchers an extended look? Look how good Smith looks for Miami. He would be the Yankees ace if they didn’t get rid of him. The Yankees have a pitcher named David Hale who has pitched quite well for them. Instead of using him as the 12th pitcher on the team, how about starting him? He can’t be worse than what they have.