New York Yankees Baseball: Week Three
Last Week: 6-0. I’d say definitely in the top two of weeks so far this year
Week three in the 2017 Yankees seasons was so-so. I mean they had to come back to Earth at some point, but there was definitely still a lot of good to look back on. The bats, for the most part, stayed very hot, while the starting pitcher regressed a bit. A 3-3 week leaves New York at 11-7, good for second in the AL East, but also an MLB best +32 run differential. Let’s dive in..
It’s Only A Matter Of Time Before The MLB Finds Out Aaron Judge Is An Alien
As I mentioned earlier in the week, The Judge is putting on an absolute show in terms of depositing baseballs into outer space.
I actually started laughing when he connected on this one against Pittsburgh. Saying this went only 460 feet is absolutely criminal.
Through 17 games Judge is hitting a very respectable .279 to go with his six bombs and 13 RBIs. If he continues to produce this way I’m going to run out of words to describe his greatness. Also, another stat I came across that astonished me was that Judge is tied for the league lead for defensive runs saved in right field. He can truly do it all.
Chris Carter Won The Yankees A Real Life Baseball Game
I haven’t been this shocked in a while. I thought I was watching the wrong game for a second. Shout out to the Pirates pitcher for serving up a first pitch 87 mph meat ball. Carter also got a hit in the 8th inning of Sunday’s game so basically Greg Bird should be looking for work elsewhere. This is Chris Carter’s team now folks.
Starlin Castro and Chase Headley Might Have To Split The AL MVP
Seriously though these guys continue to absolutely rake. Combined with Jacoby Ellsbury, this trio has created a very dangerous part of the lineup. I fully expect Starlin to get a hit every time he steps to the plate. Just imagine what this lineup will produce night in and night out when Bird and Sanchez come around. Oh and there’s still that Judge guy.
Chase Headley Error Of The Week
This must be wrong, but Chase Headley hasn’t committed an error since April 7th. On Sunday he helped turn THREE double plays, helping Jordan Montgomery toe the tight rope and escape further trouble.
My Hate For Chris Carter Has Shifted To Pete Kozma
This guy sucks at baseball. I mean holy fuck, Tony Watson couldn’t find the zone in the 9th inning yesterday and here comes Pete Kozma to give him a Christmas gift. With the bases juiced and facing a 2-0 count trailing by one, Kozma (hitting .111 on the year) decided to magically swing the bat and get jammed on an inside fastball. Why in God’s name aren’t you taking in that situation until the pitcher proves he can throw you a strike? That’s baseball 101 for Christ’s sake. Kozma is here to strictly be the backup middle infielder while Torreyes fills in for Didi in the starting role. He’s been a well below average hitter his whole career, but carries with him a very solid glove. Down in AAA sits my guy Tyler Wade. I thought Wade should’ve been the opening day starting shortstop, never mind the backup, so it’s obvious where I stand on this matter. In 55 at bats so far in Scanton Wilkes-Barre Wade is hitting .327. There’s no reason he shouldn’t be up in a backup utility spot right now.
Jordan Montgomery Continues To Be Very, Very Solid
We’re now three starts into the rookie’s career and Gumby is 1-1 with a 3.78 ERA. Despite not having dominating stuff, he’s racked up 16 strikeouts in 16.2 IP. The most impressive part of Jordan’s game so far has been his ability to bear down in tight spots and limit damage. You saw it Sunday in the first inning when he loaded the bases after the first three batters. A big time Gregory Polanco strikeout, followed by a sac fly, and ground out allowed Montgomery to survive the frame giving up just one run. He continues to show great poise when men get in scoring position and you have to love that. His next start will come at home, Saturday against Ubaldo Jimenez and the O’s.
Watching Luis Severino Throw A Baseball Is All Sorts Of Fun
On Tuesday, Severino fanned 10 men while lasting a career high eight innings. His slider was nasty all game, except when he left it hanging in the 7th for Avisail Garcia’s three run bomb. In the eighth inning Sevy was still touching 98 mph on his fastball which is all sorts of encouraging. You’d love for Sevy to have gotten through the outing without the big mistake, but my biggest takeaway was the zero walks surrendered. Severino lasting eight innings in this one which I already said was a career high, and he’s now gone at least seven frames with double digit K’s in two straight starts, walking just one. He gets the ball tomorrow night against Porcello where he’ll hopefully continue to show his new-found stellar command. Safe to say I’m a fan of this version of Severino.
Bryan Mitchell Is Becoming Joe Girardi’s Favorite Toy
There’s always one pitcher that catches Joe’s eye each year who he decides to go to seemingly every single game. Obviously this doesn’t include Chapman or Betances, but Bryan Mitchell has burst onto the scene as a very reliable arm. Through 8.2 IP Mitchell has posted a 1.04 ERA with a WHIP of 0.58, giving up just two hits. On Sunday, in the bottom of the 7th, Mitchell loaded the bases with no outs. After getting Jordy Mercer to fly out to short left, and Josh Harrison to line out to short, in stepped Andrew McCutchen.
Mitchell houdinied his way out of huge trouble by getting Cutch to strikeout, keeping the Yanks in the game for the time being. I’m a big fan of Mitchell as he possesses very good stuff, and I’m hoping he really takes control of the middle innings as the bridge to Betances-Chapman.
Social Media Cock Tease Of The Week
In my mind, Instagram story hints are more reliable than signed contracts sooooo Harper to NY is basically a done deal.
Looking Ahead
On Tuesday New York will ship up to Boston for their first series against the Sox. The second game, on Wednesday, gives us Chris Sale and Tanaka. Sale has been otherworldly so far, striking out 42 men in just 29.2 IP. His ERA sits at an absurd 0.91, but somehow has only one win to show for it. Tanaka comes off his best start of the year when he went seven strong against the White Sox, giving up just one run on six hits. After Boston, the Bombers head back home to face the O’s over the weekend.
That’s all I got for now boys and girls. Big week coming up against the big boys of the AL East. Follow me on Twitter as we get through it together @ehubbs13