… the Yankees took 2 out of 3 from the Dodgers this weekend.  Never question or doubt SU.  And what did we learn?

• ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball continues to be unlistenable.  Once again, SU had to turn off the sound – just can’t take it after a while.  And remind me why I care about Cody Bellinger’s 18 degree loft angle on his swing?
• Note to MLB: about those uniforms this weekend.  First of all, SU really did not know any of the Dodger hitters after 3 games because I can’t read their numbers or their silly names.  College basketball teams have worn the all neon uniforms with the same problem.  Surely, someone noted that and said, “whoa, we don’t want to have that problem too.”  Second, on a sunny day, hard for the batters to see the ball against the white uniforms.  Just a bad move all around that is easily avoidable.
• Really, all 3 games were home runs and strikeouts.  It’s a problem.  Not much action in between.
• SU loves Aaron Judge but does he really carry this team as A-Rod keeps saying?  I don’t think so – not this year.  And enough of A-Rod’s stories about Gary Sanchez calling him “Poppy” and saying “I am about to go off on a tear.”  Maybe but he’s still hitting .230.
• Too much talk about a possible World Series match-up.  True, the Dodgers should get there – not a lot of competition in the NL this year for them.  But the Yankees will struggle to get past Houston and apparently, Oakland and Cleveland.  SU continues to be concerned about the match-ups with the hard throwing right handed starters on the Astros.  Especially if Stanton comes back.
• It is funny that no-one talks about Stanton and Hicks being out.  The team is just better with Tauchman playing every day.  The acquisition of Stanton was a huge mistake – and a 10-year one.

US Open predictions: Djokovic, of course, on the men’s side although SU does not like his draw.  Medvedev in the quarters, Federer in the semis and Nadal in the finals if the seeds hold.  That may be too much to ask for.  SU does not understand why the #1 seed gets the #3 seed in the semis, and #2 gets #4.  I do believe it’s a drawing but should it be?  #1 should play #4, and #2 should play #3.  But watch out for Dominick Thiem – could be his time to break out and have someone other than the Big Three win a major in tennis.  On the women’s side, anyone but Serena is SU’s wish.  I think Osaka finds her groove again.

A lot being made about Andrew Luck’s retirement.  SU gets it: his body is falling apart and he is always rehabbing and in pain.  At some point, you don’t need it anymore.  I must say that it feels like the quality of QBs this year is way down from other seasons.  There are just not that many good ones.  It’s almost like the game is in an in-between state.  You have the more traditional pocket passers who are getting old, and then the Mahomes types who are emerging but the NFL coaches have not all bought into that style of play yet.

As we know, the baseball season is a long slog.  There will be ups and  downs, winning streaks and losing streaks.  The key is not to panic.  The Yankees have had their share of extended winning streaks, series won, and have minimized the losing.  They have a great record against good teams, and have killed the bad ones this year, e.g., the Orioles.

However….. the last 2 series vs. the Indians and the A’s, both potential playoff teams, have exposed what we knew were the problem areas.  Now, SU is generally an optimist and I refuse to be overly concerned, but I do note the following:

• Starting pitching: man, it’s just not very good.  The team’s record is great considering how mediocre the starters are.  German was great in the first half of the season and has plateaued a bit.  Tanaka has not been great of late and Paxton gives up 10 runs in the 1st inning every game (OK, so I am exaggerating a bit).  CC is running on fumes and Happ, well Happ is the kind of pitcher when you go to a game in person, you buy tickets for seats in the outfield.
• Right-handed Line-up: as noted by SU all season, this continues to be a problem.  When Boone bats Judge and Sanchez back to back, it’s not a good look.  Situational hitting?  How do you spell that?  They are not interested.
• Giancarlo Stanton was in the dugout last night: whaaaaaatttt???  I thought he was down in Tampa working out with Ellsbury.  You know, running side-to-side, the occasional sit-up, throwing off flat ground for a distance of 7 feet, breaking for lunch and snacks.  Stanton is the key for the playoffs – in a negative way.  We do not want him coming back.  Can you imagine, Judge, Sanchez and Stanton back to back in the 9th inning?  A foul ball would be an achievement.  Perhaps he his rehabbing in California.

But here is SU’s prediction.  While it looks bad today (4-game losing streak) and CC starting one of the games this weekend against the powerhouse Dodgers, SU predicts the Yankees take 2 of 3.  The good news is that they are not hurt by the absence of the DH.  I mean, Mike Ford doesn’t play – no loss there.  The starters will shine and get into the 5th inning every game – whoo hoo!

The reason SU is still somewhat upbeat is that both Severino and Betances will be back in September.  Huge difference makers.  If Severino can get enough arm strength to go 4 innings, he is on par with the regular starters and no doubt Happ will be jealous by that type of length.

Steady as she goes.  Is SU delusional?  Are Yankee fans feeling confident?

Check out ESPN’s special on last year’s US Open Women’s Finals – “Serena and the Umpire.”  It is very good.  Not a good look for Serena.  Stay tuned for SU’s fearless US Open predictions coming this weekend.  I am studying the draw sheet and running outcome models as we speak.

So, explain this to me.  Gary Sanchez, who was out since July 23rd, had been in a terrible slump at the time of his injury (as mentioned by SU at the time).    He plays 2 games in his rehab assignment and you have to rush him back and put him in at clean-up today?  Aaron Boone does this all the time.  Players who come back off the IL (of which there have been many this year) are never given a chance to ease their way  back into things.  Rather, let’s put them in the middle of things so that they can screw up the line up for several games until they regain their footing.

It makes no sense to SU.  Austin Romine has been on a tear and Higashioka had 3 home runs in his time as a back up.  Clearly, Sanchez is the best hitter of the three but….. he also is stubbornly hitting only to left field again and striking out at a high rate.  Romine has been on fire.  Why not let Sanchez play several games in rehab to regain his timing?  Of course, he may go out and hit 2 home runs today and Boone will look like a genius.  It just does not seem like he is setting him up to succeed.  He is also batting just 2 spots behind Judge who is in a bad slump of his own.  SU is worried about Judge.  Since returning from the oblique, he has not hit with much power.  You wonder if he has tinkered with his swing to account for the oblique.  Something to watch.

Jonathan Holder, who was extended into a 3rd inning the other night, is now on the IL with shoulder inflammation.  SU says you can say it’s bad luck this year — to a point — but at some point it’s mismanagement of the talent by the coaches and the training staff.  Gleyber Torres should also probably be on the IL – SU is wondering what they will do with him and his core injury.

Meanwhile, the Mets are on a tear and back in the wild card hunt.  That will be the best race this year as the NL has several teams close in record for the wild cards slots.  But that’s baseball.  A manager can go from being on the hot seat to now being safe again.  Joe Girardi is on hold for the moment – at least until the off season.

SU is loving how Mike Tauchman has taken advantage of his opportunity with the Yankees.  He hits close to .500 against left-handed pitchers by going to the opposite field (WHAT?????), hits with power, shows fire and is a very good outfielder in all 3 outfield positions.  He also has a cheap contract.

While Clint Frazier has potential, he is an edgy guy and really doesn’t fit the Yankee mold of good corporate citizenship.  You know he is dying to grow his hair long and sport a beard.  SU says he will get his chance soon enough in the off season as he is traded for a young pitcher.  SU likes Frazier and he will do well somewhere else.  If they really valued him, he would have been called up by now with all of the injuries.  Just not going to happen here for Clint.

Meanwhile, the bigger question is: why do you need Giancarlo Stanton then?  SU will help you with that answer: You don’t.  His $30 million salary can be better spent on pitching.  The Yankees will have only one starter this year with an ERA under 5.00 (German).  Not exactly the formula for post-season success.  Once Stanton returns in September, he will struggle but Boone will be pressured to put him in there for the playoffs.  You can only imagine how he will match up with Houston’s hard throwing right-handed starters.  Will Boone be brave enough to start Tauchman?  The same goes for Urshela who is a better fit (with LeMahieu going to first base).

Decisions, decisions.

We all know that the Yankees have had a ridiculous number of players on the injured list this year.  It’s way out of hand and it’s a testament to Brian Cashman that they have one of the best records in baseball at this point in the season.  But SU says that there is something wrong with the strength and conditioning program for the players that must be contributing to all of the injuries.

For example, whoever heard of a “core” injury before this year?  SU did not.  Luke Voit, an avid weight lifter, had a core injury and now a sports hernia.  He may need surgery.  Last night, Gleyber Torres goes out for a “core” injury.  Aaron Hicks was out for a long time with a back injury earlier in the year and now has a shoulder issue.  Judge had the oblique injury.  Stanton had the bicep injury earlier in the year.  To SU, these all sound like issues that come up from too much weight lifting.  And if that’s not the cause, then how do you explain it and is the team investigating?  It’s more than bad luck.  There is something wrong with how they keep the players fit.

If Torres is out for an extended time, the Yankees will be putting out a spring training type of line up every game now.  The silver lining is that the players who are taking advantage of their opportunities are not the free swingers but rather guys who put the ball in play and hit to the opposite field.  What a concept.  Maybin, Tauchman, Ford, Romine are all contributing.  SU is almost disappointed that Sanchez is coming back now.  He kills them in the middle of the line up.

Note to ESPN: your Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts are unlistenable.  It’s like having 3 Al Leiters talking at once.  SU had to turn off the sound last night and I never, ever do that.  Cut back A-Rod’s caffeine intake and have Jessica Mendoza stop with the technical talk.  So many words, so little quality anything.  SU enjoyed the silence.

SU is fine with the Yankees not making any moves at the trade deadline.  And it’s not because they don’t have the need to add a pitcher or two.  SU’s perspective:

• The starters are clearly running on fumes at the moment.  Paxton has not figured out NY, Tanaka is in a bad stretch, CC is breaking down and Happ is hapless.  Only German gives you confidence right now.
• Full disclosure: SU has no confidence in Chapman.  Mariano looked good in Cooperstown.  Maybe he can be a September call-up?  Chapman walks the first batter in every appearance, cannot throw his fastball for a strike and is not getting many swings and misses anymore as virtually every reliever throws as hard as he does.   All of the Yankee relievers are gassed as the starters can’t go more than 5 innings, and the Yankees keep winning thanks to their offense.
• Chad Green is pretty bad.  Nice guy but the League has figured him out.

However, SU is in it for the long-term, and I agree with Cashman not to trade some of the top prospects.  The hope here is that Severino and Betances both return and that would be ideal.  SU prefers that they stay the course.  Now, the Astros just added Greinke today and that is another tough right-hander to face in the playoffs.  Verlander, Cole and Greinke.  The Yankees undoing will ultimately be having too many right-handed batters.

Apparently, the Yankees were willing to trade Andujar for a pitcher – interesting.  But this kid Garcia who was just promoted to AAA as a 20-year old is worth keeping and let’s see what he can do.

SU says stay with the program.  Others may disagree and say go for it all this year.  What say  you?

Full Disclosure: SU stayed up until 1:20 am last night to watch the end of the Yankee game.  I was going to pack it in when they took the lead at 14-12, but the wireless went out and the thought of waking up in the middle of the night and being unable to find out who won the game was too much to take.  Wild game.  It was a great win for the Yankees but some causes of concern:

• German had nothing all game which was fine.  He’s been great.  But it was troubling to SU that Boone did not take him out earlier.  It was clear he could not throw any pitch for a strike.  He finally gave up the 3-run home run to make it 8-2.  That was avoidable.  Bad job there.
• Chapman was throwing around 95 mph for most of his inning.  SU is right about this: he no longer is lights out.  Always lets the first guy on base.  He cannot throw his fastball for strikes.  SU says watch for the stint on the IL coming up.  Something is wrong with him.
• Britton was no better nor was Ottavino but they have generally been good so you just have to acknowledge the occasional bad game.
• SU likes the offense but I must admit that in a ballpark that is not a band box like Minnesota, there were so many home runs (again) last night and a number of doubles that just missed.  What is going on with the ball?  And can the Yankee hitters please run it out?  Even Judge was caught admiring one of his blasts that just missed and he should have been on 3rd base in the 8th inning.

This brings me to my biggest concern/complaint.  Gary Sanchez.  He is hitting .100 for July and is pulling everything.  Now, truth be told, he has hit a few hot shots to the left side that were caught or turned into a double play but SU says: HIT TO RIGHT FIELD.  You are capable of it.  You have done it in your career.  Boone puts him right in the middle of the line up and he is a rally killer.  Now, mercifully, it looks like he sprained his ankle last night and should go on the IL which will help him.    Watching LeMahieu hit should be an inspiration for his teammates like Sanchez.

Btw, Tauchman has been great and now that Maybin is rehabbing, it’s a tough call for Cashman what to do.  SU says Tauchman gives you another left-handed bat (which they desperately need) and he is red hot.  He is 13 for 29 against lefties this year to boot.  SU would play him ahead of Gardner while he’s hot.

Bottom line: SU says this season is all about reaching the World Series.  You don’t have to win it but you have to make it.  The offense is great but the starters inability to pitch past 6 innings is catching up with the bullpen now given that the top line guys may be tiring.  The next week will be interesting to see what Cashman does.  SU is fine with Severino and Bettances being added to the mix assuming that they can get there with their rehab program.

I don’t know if you caught this from yesterday’s Yankee game when Aaron Boone was ejected in the first game of the doubleheader.  But through the combination of a smallish crowd and excellent microphones on the field, we get to hear the full exchange with the umpire starting with Brett Gardner being called out on strikes and banging his bat in the dugout.  SU provides a warning to its younger subscribers that some of the language here is a bit salty.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/aaron-boone-savages_n_5d313f62e4b020cd9941307a

No doubt “the Savages” and “Tighten This S**t Up” will be the new rallying cries for the team as it heads to the post-season.  Good stuff.

Did you read that the Yankees may put German in the bullpen soon if they acquire another starting pitcher?  SU knows that they want to protect his arm for total innings pitched this season but he has been their best starter.  Surely there is another option here.  Go to 6 starters?  Limit his starts to 5 innings?  You don’t want to roll out CC and Happ ahead of German – that is nuts.  Right now, SU slots him in right behind Tanaka in the playoffs unless Paxton can be more consistent.   SU says don’t overthink the situation.

Finally, SU does acknowledge that Eduard Encarnacion has shown signs of coming out of his prolonged slump but we need to see more before I say I was wrong.  But happy to do it if he can earn it.

SU is a long-time Novak Djokovic fan going back to 2011 when he figured some things out and embarked on a sustained run of excellence.  Despite a 2-year hiatus in 2016 – 2018 when he went a bit too far into the world of mindfulness, he has competed with the all-time greats of Nadal and Federer in impressive fashion.  Consider: over that time period he is something like 20-9 vs. Federer and 20-10 against Nadal.  SU agrees that Federer is the GOAT – he just is with his style of play and great career record.  But history will put Djokovic on equal footing with Federer and Nadal when all is said and done – and deservedly so.

Both Nadal and Federer always get the maximum crowd support, and yesterday among the 15,000 spectators in Center Court, Djokovic probably had a handful of supporters.  It’s hard for a team to win on the road in a hostile environment, but SU says it’s even harder for a single competitor to pull it off.  The British are not as raucous as the NY fans which cheered every Djokovic service fault back in the 2015 US Open finals but they love, love, love Fed.  Djokovic, to his credit, was prepared and is very into visualization.  He is an incredibly thoughtful and smart dude, and goes beyond just physical preparation for these types of matches.  See some of his post-match comments:

https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2019-07-14/djokovic_it_was_the_most_mentally_demanding_match_ive_played.html

But SU says what made this win even more impressive is that Djokovic is also the President of the ATP Men’s Players Council and the Men’s Tour is going through a lot of turmoil.  They are firing the ATP CEO and there is a major battle underway regarding the splitting up of prize money.  Djokovic is in favor of giving the lesser players a bigger share for winning in the early rounds of tournaments while the top stars like Federer and Nadal feel that the fans come out to see them and they should be getting their fair share.  On top of that, one of the Board members, Justin Gimelstob, beat up his ex-wife’s boyfriend and had to resign.  Djokovic is still close to him and takes a lot of heat from the media over that.  There were some contentious press conferences in the early rounds of the tournament and a 7-hour council meeting right before the start of the tournament.  This is a huge distraction.  So, he’s not just focusing on his own game these days.

SU has said it before: for fans of men’s tennis, this is a golden era not to ever be repeated in terms of greatness.

Regarding the Edwin Encarnacion watch, he knocked in 3 runs Friday night which will ensure that he will be in the line up now for the next 3 weeks.  It is painful.  Still hovering around .215.

It is still way, way too early to assess how good RJ Barrett will be in his career.  He has had two pretty terrible games in the summer league and you don’t want to jump to conclusions.  SU has watched some of each game.  He is clearly trying too hard, forcing the action, turning the ball over and shooting terribly.  For SU, what is troublesome is his shooting form – just doesn’t look very smooth.  No doubt he will be a slasher and a creator but in the NBA, you do need to shoot it well unless you are Simmons on the Sixers.  Iggy Brazdeikis looked great last night for the Knicks – 30 points – and is someone to keep an eye on.

SU is happy for the USA Women’s World Cup team.  Just fun to watch this team play and they came through this year with a lot of pressure on them.  Good stuff.

Clearly Edwin Encarnacion did not get the SU message.  0 for 8 the last 2 games.  But good to read that he’s not feeling any pressure to do better.  That’s nice.  Average must be down to .120 now with the Yankees but life is good with a guaranteed contract.  When Luke Voit returns, watch out.

Aaron Boone must be happy to lose that last game vs. the Rays.  SU questions the logic of resting both DJ Lemahieu and Glayber Torres on the even of the All-Star Break.  Chances are that Torres won’t play at all, and LeMahieu is going to play one game in 4 days.  What am I missing here?  It’s fine to give guys a day off but not before a break and not against the 2nd place team.  And how do you bat Sanchez and Encarnacion back to back when Sanchez is slumping and Edwin is always slumping?  Puzzling…

Did you see Justin Verlander go off today about the juiced baseball?  Basically said that Commissioner Rob Manfred and MLB had Rawlings just make the ball tighter to help improve the offense.  He used some colorful language to make his point.  Is that really true?