Long-time Yankee fans remember the 1978 World Series vs. the Dodgers where the Yankees dropped games 1 and 2 in LA, and Reggie Jackson whiffed to end game 2 against rookie Bob Welch. The Yankees went on to win the next 4 games clinching the Series back in LA and Reggie homered off of Welch in game 6. Tides can turn. But will they this year?

Full disclosure: SU did not see game 2 but in viewing the box score, it’s not pretty. The issue is that their lineup is not “circular.” These are not the 1998 Yankees where everyone could hit and wait for it….. everyone could put the ball in play. This team is reliant on Soto, Stanton and Judge in large part. When they are hitting, it’s all good. But when 1 or 2 of them are not, big problemo. Judge is ice cold but SU continues to believe he is one swing away from getting back on track. The reality is that they don’t have enough offense against a top team like the Dodgers to win the series without him doing something – even if it’s taking a few walks.

The Yankees had game one – it was in the books. Game 2 they did not compete until the 9th inning where they loaded the bases but Volpe struck out and Trevino, hitting for Wells, flied out and that was that. Win game 3 and hold serve. Pat Riley used to say that a playoff series doesn’t really start until one team wins on the other team’s home court. We are still not there as of yet.

But…. you cannot fall behind 0-3. That makes Monday night’s game huge and we will see if the Yankees are just happy to be here this year or if they will compete. SU continues to believe.