Full disclosure: SU is hoping that the Yankees are swept by the Orioles so that they become sellers at the deadline. Some stats for you:

1. Their record for the past 200 games is 103 – 97. Mediocre and reflects who they are.
2. Anthony Rizzo has been the 2nd worst hitter in MLB the past 2 months, and DJ LeMahieu ranks 7th worst. All since Judge went down. They did not step up and actually headed in the other direction. At this point in their careers, that may be who they are. Guys get old and skills deteriorate.
3. The Yankees are struggling against right-handed hitters. They field an all right-handed lineup. Who would have thought that? See SU posts for the past 3 years. Anyone home?
4. The bullpen is running on fumes. They have to fill so many innings every game as the starters are limited other than Cole. It’s not sustainable for a whole season.
5. Judge may be back this weekend but SU predicts he will be hampered by that toe and will opt for season-ending surgery soon enough.
6. The Yankees have a 33% chance of making the playoffs apparently.

Bottom line: the team is unwatchable. The other night SU turned on the US women’s World Cup game over Yankees – Mets. I am the barometer for Yankee fans. Lifelong fan. I have no favorite player this year and feel no passion for this outfit. Five years of Stanton has worn me down. Ready to rebuild. Count me in.

The Mets traded David Robertson to Miami and that has to signal the start of their selling at the deadline. He has had a great season for the Mets. It’s the right move and rumor has it that Verlander and Tommy Pham will be on the move next. The Mets are a long shot at best to make the playoffs and their batting averages are right there with the Yankees in the low .200s.

The dilemma for the Yankees is that in the American League, there is no dominant team that is unbeatable. Soooo, if you can sneak into the Wild Card and have some pitching, you still have a shot. I don’t think they will be sellers for that reason. In the NL, the Braves are really good and that is probably enough for Steve Cohen to lower his payroll and look to the future.

SU saw an interesting stat that batting averages this year are only slightly higher than last season. Something like .247 this year vs. .242 last year. How can that be with the elimination of the shifts? It’s because the hitters are still trying for home runs. Baseball is much better this year with the shortened games but the focus on launch angle and all that is hurting the game.

There was a great article in the Washington Post last month on Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert and their lifelong friendship by Sally Jenkins. There is probably a pay wall but here is the link. It is a great read: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/interactive/2023/chris-evert-martina-navratilova-cancer/