It’s become very apparent to SU that the Yankee hitters cannot hit Astro pitching – especially the starters. Come October, this will be a major problem and will threaten to derail what is becoming a record-breaking season for the Yankees. Regular season records are great but the goal is to be the last team standing in October (or November this year perhaps).
The Yankee pitching can handle the Astros – that is not the issue. But you roll out a right-handed dominant line up and there are issues. Your left-handed hitters are Rizzo (good and tries to hit around the shift), Hicks (mindless batting left-handed where it’s home run or bust) and Gallo (takes mindless in approach to new heights. One wonders what the thought process is there as he nears .160). For Gallo, the Mendoza line of .200 is aspirational. SU is sure that Cashman is well aware and will make some moves over the next few weeks. Bottom line: you cannot go into an ALCS series with the Astros with this roster and expect to win. They might but less than 50-50 in my opinion.
If you are a tennis fan, keep an eye on Nadal for winning the Grand Slam this year. The men’s draw at Wimbledon has thinned on his side of the draw with Berrettini testing positive for Covid. No Medvedev, no Zverev and really only Djokovic to threaten him in the finals. Then, the US Open is still requiring fully vaccinated players and assuming Djokovic cannot enter the country, Nadal may be going into the Open with 3 Grand Slams under his belt. At 36. Pretty amazing.
Let’s face it: the NBA off season is the best in pro sports for big-time players moving. Now, it’s for all of the wrong reasons with players demanding trades and wanting to play with their buddies. But rosters really change over dramatically. And the money for the top players? Jokic getting $270 million for 5 years. Whoa. Makes Aaron Judge look like a bargain. You can see some players getting these mega deals and justify it like Booker on Phoenix. But Beal on the Wizards? $251 million for 5 years? Hmmm.
The Knicks moved half their roster to sign Brunson to play the point. SU says he is a solid player but is he a game changer? His contract is reasonable by NBA standards but unclear if they are even a playoff team in 2022 – 2023.
USC and UCLA in the Big Ten? Let me check that map again. I guess it’s the Biiiiggggg Ten Conference now. Lots of long flights for the teams but it’s all about the money now and that is that. We are moving towards the SEC and the Big Ten and a bunch of satellite conferences. Maybe it doesn’t really matter as the same 5 – 6 teams contend for the football championship every year anyway, and in basketball, multiple teams get into the Tournament anyway. I guess the upside is that a fan can travel with the team for a game in LA for the weekend so there is that.
Finally, an interesting comment from Sweeny Murti on the Yankee broadcast last night. Once baseball moves to electronic umpiring in 2024 (possibly), the catchers who can’t hit but are great at “receiving” the ball and “framing pitches” will no longer be in demand. All of that will no longer matter. I guess defensive catchers will still be in demand but more for throwing out runners and blocking pitches.
Sports Update Intergalactic 
What was once an exciting sport to watch with so many teams getting a chance to be #1 in college football, like you said it will be the same 5-6 teams making it to the playoffs. Having 8 that makes it is great. They should limit no more than 2 let conference so other teams get a shot. This might have high school grads think twice about focusing only on the SEC and Big Ten. It’s really too bad about USC and UCLA making their move out of the PAC 10. Besides the ACC and soon to be a frail PAC 10 what college is left that’s a big name?. Notre Dame…. Can Cincy keep up what they did last year? Doubtful, unless their schedule improves with better teams
So far Houston has won 3 out of 5 against the Yankees.Thrse games can go either way. Maybe Cashman picks up a high average type of lefty hitter. Just get Gallo out of here already. We have that rookie left is is beginning to hit well. Maybe he’s the answer to more balance.
Chock full of great subjects today.
The college football $ chase is a sad commentary on where we stand. Does anyone care about a kid in California flying to Maryland for a Saturday game? I guess nobody on the team goes to class anyway! So these amature players can get millions from shady NIL deals and the Teams want billions from the networks to pay for it. Just wait for Amazon, Apple and Google to get in on the bidding. The Ivory tower is now a Golden Calf!
If healthy, Michael Conforto would be a prefect fit for the Yankees. Not sure if his shoulder would allow him to play the OF but that bat in Yankee stadium could do wonders. Benitendi from KC would be a nice add but he will be a costly acquisition. Still, on pace for 110 wins so I don’t think they need to rush into anything. Cashman will find some way to make the team better for the playoffs. He is best GM in sports.
Now the Mets have shown some holes the last couple of weeks. Time to make a move for the bullpen. I know it is not going to happen for too many selfish reasons but the right thing to do…
Put Jacob DeGrom in the Pen! He has shown that his body can no longer meet the rigors of starting and throwing 100 pitches 100 MPH. In the Bull Pen he could throw 230 innings over the next 4 years instead of one year. Prolong his career and help the team where it needs it most.
Yeah, we don’t want to be the 2001 Mariners with most all-time single season wins and then lose in playoffs. No one remembers the Mariners for that season but everyone remembers the great Yankee-Diamondback WS following the devastating 9/11 attack. Even though Yanks lost, it was the best WS of them all. And, there has to be a David Justice/Darryl Strawberry type lefty hitter that Yankees can get to replace Gallo by trade deadline. Maybe with Bryce Harper out, the Phillies will crater and Phillies are interested in dealing for Schwarber–would love to see him in Yankee stadium.