Yankee fans will know that this is a common refrain of Joe Girardi’s and was often heard during his managerial tenure with the team. SU says it is very appropriate today as the Yankees go down 0-2 to the Rays in a best of 5 series.

SU watched last night’s game and like others, was struck by how poorly the team’s defense showed at almost every position. I read that a scout at last night’s game from some other team texted to the Athletic that the word is that the Yankees’ defense will crumble if put under pressure. Seems like that dude is spot on! While there were 4 errors, there were other bad plays that were not scored an error but contributed to runs as well as running up the pitch count of Schlittler. To his credit, he actually called out his teammates in his locker room comments for not showing up. Love that! Schlittler was not as sharp as he has been in past appearances and SU wonders if throwing 117 pitches last start had any impact here? Possible right?

SU saw the following:

1. Actually in both games, hitters came out swinging on the 1st pitch. Especially vs. Peralta. I mean, in the first 2 innings, basically swinging at every pitch. Whatever happened to working the count? Is this what they were told to do? As opposed to the Rays, who are constantly taking pitches, fouling them off and then hitting to the opposite field. The Yankees go for home runs – be it Garcia or Caballero or Volpe. Mindless approaches. This is what we saw all year. The Red Sox series was an aberration. For SU, these last 2 games are much easier to process as I have processed these types of anemic offensive games all season.
2. Take Schlittler: ERA of 1.12 or something like that on the road and near 2.00 overall. And started 33 games or so. Won only 14 games. That says it all about the Yankees’ offense. So, games 1 and 2 are rinse and repeat.
3. The fielding sucked. For SU, it got to the point where any ground ball was terrifying. Bases were stolen easily although Wells made some good throws. The Rays are more athletic and the hitters are looking to the put the ball in play. The Yankees, year after year after year, go into October swinging for the fences. Doesn’t work – we know that.
4. Boone had an opportunity later in the game to pinch hit a few of his right handed hitters. He did not. In the 7th and 8th innings, you are putting up all of these left handed hitters against the Rays’ lefty reliever. No hits, no production. Now, SU does not like any of these guys but still – was that not the plan?
5. SU has seen enough of Jazz. Start Volpe in game 3 at 2nd base. And if you want, start Caballero at 3rd instead of McMahon. You lose nothing and at least field a more balanced attack. And if Rasmussen starts game 4 (assuming there is a game 4), start some right handed hitters. I mean, do something different as we can see if cannot hurt.
6. From what SU has read, the Rays do not hit as well vs. left handed starters vs. right handed ones. Fried goes tonight. Let’s give Rodon a shot in a game 4 (if needed). Fried should keep the running game in check tomorrow but he gives up a lot of grounders so that will be a test for the Yankees’ defense.
7. Ben Rice is the man. It’s unlikely the Rays will give him anything good to hit the rest of the series as there is no protection in the lineup. But 4 home runs in 4 games is impressive. Naturally, 3 of the are solo shots as the bottom of the order can’t get on base typically. But he always worth watching for every at bat.

SU will say this. In sports, you are never as good as you look when things are going well and you are never as bad as you look when things are going off the rails. The Yankees were winning it all after Boston. Now they are on the brink. So it goes. SU does expect the Yankees to win game 3. If they can get it to a game 5, Boone will have to decide between Cole and Schlittler if things work out. That will be interesting to see.

Anyone feeling more positive?