Well, suddenly the USS Yankees ship is cruising to the playoffs with a chance to be almost fully healthy. From SU’s standpoint, a few key things have happened:
- The starting pitchers are finally giving them some length on a consistent basis. Rookie Devi Garcia has been key as he has stepped into Paxton’s spot in the rotation nicely. That makes Happ the 5th starter and takes the pressure off of him to actually perform. He has been much better of late as well. Right now, all five starters are doing well and Boone can avoid the “opener” pitcher which just burns out the bullpen.
- The bullpen is no longer a strength for the Yankees. There is no way that Boone can have faith in Ottavino and Green runs hot and cold. The key is to limit their innings and get a big enough lead.
- The offense has come alive. Voit is a legit MVP candidate and LeMahieu is back to his normal hit machine ways. Gleyber Torres started to hit but there is concern with his legs as he continues to sit now.
- Boone is smartly alternating between Judge and Stanton on their returns. As we all know, they will strike out 65% of the time and you may as well minimize those at bats. SU has major doubts about them in the playoffs. Note to Boone: Clint Frazier needs to play every day. Including in the playoffs. Find a spot for him. Bring Brett Gardner in for late inning defense if you need to.
- And Gary Sanchez? After Higashioka’s 3-home run outburst last night, SU says you have to play the hot hand. They let Austin Romine go last off season to free agency but Higashioka is a better defensive catcher than Sanchez and he can hit a bit. Sanchez is a lost cause. SU would let him go this off-season or else sit him until he starts hitting to right field. Boone has to make it clear that pulling the ball is no longer acceptable. SU knows he will now go on a hot streak but really, you do not need a superstar at every position. You need some guys who are paid less and quietly go about their business.
SU is excited about Big Ten football starting in late October. It’s the right move. Give it a shot and if there is an outbreak, then you shut it down.
SU is not understanding why MLB is holding playoffs in a bubble in Southern California with the fires blazing out west right now. Do they know for sure that the fires will subside in the next 2 weeks? Come to New York. There are 2 great fields and the coronavirus numbers are weigh down here.
Men’s tennis returns in Europe on clay for a few weeks. I must say that watching best of 5 set tennis on clay is torture. The points are way too long. SU will be watching to see if long-time fave Djokovic can get his head together to compete now. I would not be surprised to see him upset in the early rounds of the next few tournaments.
Finally, while NFL week #1 was not kind to both the Jets and Giants, SU says the first week is not an indicator of things to come for any team. There were no exhibition games and history says the 2nd week looks very different. No time to abandon ship.
Oh, and finally, finally, please vote. No excuses. Too much on the line this year.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
No comments on the fifth set of the mens’ final at the U.S. Open? Not exactly must see TV
You had 2 young guys – both cramping. Zverev is hard to watch – almost double faulted on match point on that 2nd serve. It barely cleared the net at 67 mph. His 2nd serve is like a catcher who can’t throw the ball back to the pitcher. I was surprised how tight Thiem was in the first 2 sets. Definitely not one for the time capsule.
No comments on Denver upsetting Clippers?
When the hitting went belly up during that stretch Boone kept with his players… even Sanchez. he is the only one who just can’t come around. I believe the same could be said with the relief pitchers. Chad Green is too good not to come around.
I don’t agree with Judge striking out as often as Stanton and certainly no where as much as Sanchez. He was batting 280 before he went down with an injury. Give him another few games. he will be back.
With LeMahieu, Urshella, Frazier and Sanchez back in the line up these are your contact hitters that all have power but are more line drive hitters. Voit is just scorching hot but can also be classified as a contact hitter. He has as many home runs as Sanchez has in total hits.
I definitely agree to start Higashioka for awhile. maybe he just needed to have more and more AT BATS to find some consistency in his swing. That’s a basic necessity for any hitter to have in order to be judged properly. Play him 3 out of every 4 as a catcher. I’d sit Sanchez and DH Stanton. He, at least started hot back at the start of the season…. or was that simply the temperature outside.
Look at this starting lineup come playoff time. There isn’t one hitter that pitchers should not fear. I left out Hicks as a contact hitter but if he gets his swing back you can put him in that category too. Same with a few of the rookies. Its all about frequency of AT BATS.
With the beastly team seemingly back here comes the test in Boston and then down in Tampa starting tomorrow. Would love o get that 4th spot so the first 3 games are played at home. The subway shrills in the background should be enough motivation.
They are beating Baltimore and Toronto. When they beat Tampa, than I’ll believe it. And if you can, please vote in person.