The Yankees Took Two of Three In Seattle, But Still Lost Ground To Oakland....Fuck
Usually when you go into Seattle and win a road series that’s good enough, but not when you’re trying to hold off a red hot Oakland Athletics team that continues to surge and not lose anymore. When we woke up this morning Oakland trailed the Yankees by only 2.5 games for the all important 1st Wild Card spot, which obviously secures home field advantage for that all-or-nothing game in early October. The LAST thing the Yankees want to do is travel to the Bay Area for that game and deal with that fucking drum beating for all nine innings. These next three weeks are going to be extremely difficult to avoid that game in my opinion. Let’s break down the weekend first, before looking ahead.
Tanaka pitched a gem
On Friday night, Masahiro Tanaka was lights out. The Mariners stood no chance against the Asian Sensation. He was on from the start, going eight shutout innings, allowing just three hits, walking none, and striking out 10. There seems to be this neck and neck race for the Wild Card starter right now between Tanaka and Happ. Someone is just waiting for the other to blink in this staring contest and it hasn’t happened yet. Competition certainly breeds excellence.
McCutchen Found His Luggage and Hit Some Home Runs
After struggling in his first week with the team, Andrew McCutchen woke up in Seattle with no luggage. He then proceeded to blast two homers in the series. He knew he hadn’t done anything for the team short of misplay a ball in right field in Oakland, so it was time to produce. He did just that and hopefully we can get him going in these last few weeks.
Aaron Judge Took Batting Practice
Jesus Christ was that an incredible sight to see on Friday. Aaron Judge has progressed enough in his rehab to finally take some hacks against live pitching. Huge. Now a report did come out yesterday saying he’s still feeling pain in his wrist, which certainly scared everyone. It didn’t sound like that was a setback of any sorts or was going to slow him down right now. He’s just got pain and has to deal with it as he ramps things up. The Scranton Rail Riders begin their five game series in the International League Championship against the Durham Bulls tomorrow night. They host the first two games of the series on Tuesday and Wednesday while Durham gets the final three. If the series goes long enough maybe Judge could get down to Durham for a game or two? Game 4 is on Friday and Game 5 is on Saturday. Imagine being the Durham Bulls trying to win the Triple A championship and you get Aaron Judge?
I Don’t Really Know What To Do With Brett Gardner
So here’s the thing about Gardy. He’s the longest tenured player on the team and is a veteran leader no doubt. His at bat against the Indians in Game 5 last year in the top of the 9th is exactly why you want his bat in the lineup in big games. He’s also a great fielder who covers a ton of ground in left field. The problem is he isn’t hitting. He hasn’t been hitting for months. Since the All Star Break he’s batting .207 with a .292 on base percentage. His bat has turned into an automatic out at the bottom of the order. I hesitate to want to take him out of the lineup because of what he’s done in the past in big games, but stats are stats. If McCutchen can get going in these next few weeks I wouldn’t be opposed to putting him out in left, Hicks in center, and Judge in right with Stanton DHing unless they want to give Judge relief and have him DH. I think that could be where we are headed for the Wild Card Game especially when you consider McCutchen’s career numbers against Fiers (4 home runs).
How Scared Should We Be of Oakland?
Listen man, they’re coming and they’re not stopping. The Yanks had a good weekend in Seattle and still dropped a game to to the A’s after they swept Texas. Here are their remaining games:
Oakland: 3 @Balt, 3 @Tampa, 3 vs. LAA, 3 vs. Minn, 3 @Sea, 3 @LAA
New York: 3 @Minn, 3 vs. Tor, 3 vs. Bos, 3 vs. Balt, 4 @Tampa, 3 @ Boston
The Yankees lead over Oakland is 2.5 games (3 in the loss). When you break down their remaining schedules it’s clearly in favor to Oakland. These next six games for the Yankees in Minnesota and home to Toronto are MASSIVE. They have to go 5-1. Have to. Anything less than that and we’ll likely be losing ground to Oakland again with a really tough stretch to end the year after that. You have to beat Minnesota and Toronto.