The Absence of Yankees Baseball...

Baseball Stadiums remain shuttered...

I type this as all of us, or most of us, are locked in the four walls of our homes. The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly had a very great impact on everyone and I am hopeful that we’ll get to the point where the worst is behind us. Sadly, it does not appear we’re there yet. I look forward to days of easily buying toilet paper again. 

I don’t know about you but this is about as disconnected from Yankees baseball as I’ve ever felt. This includes times of player lockouts and strikes when we knew a return could happen quickly unlike the current situation. 

Although MLB Network is gladly showing replays of Mark “The Bird” Fidrych beating the Yankees with his famed mound antics in 1976 or listening to David Cone and Lou Piniella talk about the Mariners 1995 playoff win against everybody’s favorite team, it’s just not the same. I think watching one of those old classic games reminded me that I had forgotten Rawley Eastwick once pitched for the Yankees (he was the winning pitcher in the Phillies’ thrilling 23-22 victory over the Cubs in 1979 but had briefly played in the Bronx a couple seasons earlier). This is all too much information for me to know. I’d rather be talking about Aaron Judge or Gerrit Cole or Gleyber Torres.

Speaking of Judge, I was surprised to hear that he has also dealt with a collapsed lung (what?) that has since healed. As if the stress fracture in his right first rib was not enough. As for the stress fracture, it sounds like there has been some improvement but not enough to give him medical clearance so it continues to be wait and see. Hopefully this forced exile from baseball will allow him to return to health when the players can actually resume organized activities on the field. I am a little worried that injuries and Judge will go hand in hand for the years ahead and really hope that’s not the case. 

It is weird to think that Aaron Hicks, Giancarlo Stanton, and James Paxton could all be available for “Opening Day” depending upon when that is. I saw Trevor Bauer’s comment that it would take him three to four weeks to get ready for regular season baseball which sounds about right to me. Those who say two weeks after a long layoff are kidding themselves and it would expose the players to unnecessary risk for injury by trying to get ready too quickly. 

I think we are realistically looking at the All-Star Break or just before for the players to start the regular season as it seems we are still a long way from the resumption of baseball activities. I don’t see how MLB could possibly play 162 games at this point, and it seems more probable to go with a schedule of only about 108 games, give or take, based on the actual return date. I wouldn’t want to see baseball being played in December. It’s unfortunate in what should have been a probable World Series year for the Yankees that they’ll encounter a shorter season that could benefit other teams’ chances. 

I may not be a Red Sox fan but I was sad to hear that Chris Sale needs Tommy John surgery. It is not something I’d wish upon anyone, but for Sale’s sake, he is able to make a full and healthy recovery to restore his status as one of the game’s best. I know the last few years have been frustrating for Red Sox fans as Sale has dealt with injuries, but hopefully this is the cure to his ailments and he’ll return as strong as ever. That’s certainly my hope for Luis Severino (if not more so because he is a Yankee). For Sale, it’s probable he won’t be back and ready until the 2022 season. I suppose late 2021 is possible but in my opinion unlikely given it is late March already.

In the midst of this coronavirus pandemic, I am dealing with a move that will take me from Colorado to California. I was too deep into the move to turn back when the pandemic set in. Not looking forward to moving in the current climate but there’s not really much I can do about it. My new home is near Angel Stadium in Anaheim.I had tickets to see all three games between the Yankees and Angels over Memorial Day Weekend which I fully expect to be cancelled or postponed.  Sitting in Denver, we got socked with a major winter storm on Thursday (Winter’s way of letting me know I am not out of the woods yet). Hopefully the warmer expected weather over the next week removes signs of the latest snowfall. If all goes well, it will be the last of snow for me for a very long time. If I want to see snow, I’ll go to it. It doesn’t need to come visit me.

I would have preferred to live closer to Dodger Stadium but I had no desire to deal with a two-hour one-way commute to/from work. I’ll just consider myself ‘Los Angeles Scott of Anaheim’. It seems to work for the Angels. No doubt I’ll be taking the train (and a bus trip via the Dodger Express) to see games in Chavez Ravine. But, also, I have plans to attend a few non-Yankee games at Angel Stadium over the course of the summer when/if baseball returns. It will be fun to finally watch Mike Trout play in person. No doubt I’ll be pulling for the Angels when they play a team like the Texas Rangers or any of the Yankees’ AL East Rivals or that trash team in South Texas.

I didn’t have much to write about today but wanted to get a few words out to everyone to express my hope you are staying healthy in this very trying time or if you are not doing well, I wish you a speedy and full recovery. The Yankees Family is exactly that, a true family. We care about each and every one of you, and without you, there is no us. Be well.

As always, Go Yankees!

Drama-Free Saturday Night...

Photo Credit: Associated Press (Mark J Terrill)

Yanks Score Early, Win Big…

The Yankees put up ten runs in the first two innings in Anaheim, CA and coasted to an 11-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night.

I guess the Yankees were telling their East Coast fan base it was okay to go to bed early. Very considerate of these young and very talented Yankees.  Always looking out for Yankees fans.  

The FOX announcers were quick to point out that no team had ever scored five runs in consecutive innings to start a game against the Angels in the history of the franchise. Considering the Yankees have not matched up well against the Angels in recent years, it was even sweeter for the Yankees to win the first two games of the series. What’s amazing to me is the Yankees did it without any home runs or Didi Gregorius (0-for-3, although he did score a run after walking in the first inning, thanks to a couple of errors by the Angels’ Zack Cozart and a huge double to the left field corner by Gary Sanchez). If the Yankees are doing this well with minimal contributions from Giancarlo Stanton, what happen when the big guy goes on one of his home run tears? It’s scary to think what this offense is capable of when they are hitting on all cylinders.   

When the Yankees scored those early runs, I felt this would be the game we’d see the Yankees debut of former Washington National A.J. Cole. Sure enough, Cole was assigned mop-up duty for the game’s final two innings. He extended the game a little further than I would have liked, leaving two baserunners in each frame, but at least he didn’t allow any runs. I’d love for pitching coach Larry Rothschild and the Yankees to figure out a way to unleash the potential talent in Cole but the first outing only reinforced that he is an eventual DFA candidate.  

As for Masahiro Tanaka (4-2), it was a great start. Yes, he gave up another home run (as he, unfortunately, often does), but solo shots when you are leading by ten runs are not consequential. Masa’s final line was excellent…6 innings, two hits, one run, two walks, and nine K’s. He only threw 88 pitches but there was no need to extend him deeper into the game although he certainly could have. This is the Masahiro Tanaka we need for the long summer ahead.

Photo Credit: Orange County Register (Bill Alkofer)

The win was the eighth consecutive for the Yankees (17-9) but surprisingly they are not the hottest team in baseball. They share honors with the Tampa Bay Rays who also won their eighth straight with a big 12-6 win over their former ace, David Price, and the Boston Red Sox. The Rays were expected to reign supreme in the AL East Cellar this year but they’ve hurt their cause with a six-game lead on the pathetic Baltimore Orioles. Meanwhile, the Yankees have quietly slipped to within two games of the front-running Boston Red Sox and the calendar has not yet flipped to May. I guess they were right when they said that the AL East would not be decided in the month of April. Seriously, I didn’t grip when the Red Sox took off running to start the season but there were many Yankees fans who did. It’s still a very long season and it will be awhile before anything is decided…except that these Yankees are very good.

The Yankees conclude their three-game series with the Angels this evening and will be featured on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.  Alex Rodriguez has been in town getting ready to provide color on his favorite team for the ESPN broadcast crew. The game features CC Sabathia (1-0, 1.86 ERA) against Tyler Skaggs (3-1, 2.96 ERA). The Yankees have a flight to Houston, Texas so they’ll have to work quickly tonight if they have any plans for sleep. The most brutal stretch of the schedule continues but at least the Yankees are winning.  I know that helps me sleep better at night.

The Yankees lost RHP David Hale last week when he was claimed by the Minnesota Twins on waivers.  However, his stay with the Twins did not last long.  He gave up four runs in three innings during his Twins debut on Friday night and was subsequently designated for assignment. I suspect he’ll clear waivers this time around and will head to the minor leagues for the Twins. I wish the 30-year-old the very best as he tries to recapture the pitches necessary to sustain MLB success.  

There has been much talk and debate about the impending return of third baseman Brandon Drury. It’s tough. Miguel Andujar has shown that he is ready and capable of being the regular at third. I was and remain a big fan of Drury and I still feel the Yankees will unlock greater magic from the bat of the former Arizona Diamondback. But admittedly, I agree you cannot sit Andujar. Perhaps Andujar goes into a slump and is inevitably sent down to Triple A. I hope not and doubt it but as the FOX crew frequently reminded us, “these things have a way of working themselves out”. 

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Although I think it will be a pitcher that does down to make room for Drury’s return from the 10-day DL, Neil Walker’s position the roster is becoming tenuous. Sure, he did have 2 RBI’s during yesterday’s win over the Angels but he is only 11-for-67 (.164/.219/.194, .413 OPS) and has yet to rediscover his power stroke. Drury’s ability to play first and second make Walker a redundant luxury since we know Ronald Torreyes is not going anywhere and Gleyber Torres is firmly planted as the team’s starting second baseman.  

Walker is going to hit and he is capable of helping someone so armed with a team friendly contract, the Yankees should get some level of return for him in a trade rather than simply cutting him. I like the guy but there are only so many roster spots.  

It blows my mind the guys the Yankees are connected to on the international market this summer were born four to five years after the great 1998 World Series championship. It seems like it was only yesterday the Yankees were on their magical run en route to 125 victories including the post-season.  

Like many people, I thoroughly enjoyed Avengers: Infinity War this weekend and encourage everyone to see it. With lengthy trailers that carry the overall theater time to more than three hours (as with any Marvel movie, you have to stay through the end of the closing credits), I was caught up in every sequence of the movie and it certainly did not feel like I had been planted in my seat for three hours. It is highly recommended to visit the bathroom ahead of the movie and avoid any drinks. This is not a movie to step away for a few minutes for a trip down the hall.

Enjoy your Sunday and make it a wonderful day before you settle in to watch ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. Let’s keep this winning streak alive. Only two games from my goal of ten in a row.

Go Yankees!

Lots of Hits, Not Enough Runs...

Credit:  Randy Miller-NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Angels 7, Yankees 5...

Another tough loss for the Yankees despite fourteen hits.

The game started out well enough.  The Yankees scored four runs in the first inning to give Michael Pineda the lead before he faced his first batter.  Brett Gardner opened the game with a single off Angels' starter Matt Shoemaker.  After Aaron Hicks struck out, Aaron Judge singled to put runners at the corners.  Judge stole second and Matt Holliday hit a sacrifice fly to score Gardy.  The next batter, Starlin Castro, was  hit by pitch, which brought up Gary Sanchez.  The Sanchino homered to left and the Yankees looked like they were off to the races.  

Credit:  Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Sadly, this was not Michael Pineda's night.  The Angels came back in the bottom of the first with a run with they loaded the bases with singles from three of the first four Angels batters. Luis Valbuena then hit a fly to center that could have been a grand slam if not for a leaping catch by Aaron Hicks.  Cameron Maybin scored on the sac fly.  Pineda was able to get out of the inning without any further damage.

In the second inning, with one out, the Yankees wasted a triple by Rob Refsnyder when neither Brett Gardner nor Aaron Hicks were able to push the run across.  When the Angels came to bat in the bottom of the inning, Eric Young Jr, the previous night's hero, singled, and Danny Espinosa followed with a homer to right to bring the Angels within a run at 4-3.  

The lead was lost in the third when Albert Pujols scored on a wild pitch with Young in the batter's box.  Young subsequently lined a run-scoring single to give the Angels a 5-4 advantage.

The Yankees tied the score in the sixth when Chase Headley singled home Gary Sanchez.  Headley was thrown out trying to take two bases.  

Manager Joe Girardi pulled Michael Pineda after six innings, and brought in Ronald Herrera to face the Angels in the 7th.  It would not be a memorable debut for the rookie.  He was able to get the first two batters (Albert Pujols and Yunel Escobar) on ground-outs, but then he walked Valbuena.  Andrelton Simmons came to the plate and rudely introduced Herrera (0-1) to life in the Big Leagues with a homer to center. 

Credit:  Getty Images

The Yankees had a chance in the 9th when Aaron Hicks doubled with two outs.  The play was initially ruled as a game-ending out, but the call was overturned upon challenge by the Yankees.  It didn't matter as Aaron Judge hit a grounder to third for the final out.

The final line for Pineda was 6 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 2 SO.  He allowed the one home run and his season ERA was pushed to 3.71.  

Credit:  Sean M Haffey-Getty Images

I felt bad for Herrera.  He was in a difficult situation for his first Major League appearance, particularly for a pitcher who has yet to find success at the AAA Level.  What works at AA does not necessarily work in the Major Leagues as Herrera found out.

This was a tough series.  The Yankees were in all three games and could have easily won the series.  Instead, the Angels took 2 of 3 and the Yankees left town on a bit of a downer. 

The Boston Red Sox pulled to within two games of the Yankees (38-25) with a 7-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.  The Tampa Bay Rays lost to remain 5 1/2 games back.  Both the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays.  They are 6 1/2 and 7 games back, respectively.

Odds & Ends...

RHP Ronald Herrera has been promoted to the Yankees prior to yesterday's game in the aftermath of CC Sabathia's strained hamstring.  Herrera, 22, was acquired in 2015 from the San Diego Padres in the trade that sent infielder Jose Pirela to Southern CA.  Herrera caught my attention this season, but I honestly didn't expect the pitcher to make the jump from AA to the Majors even if he was already a member of the 40-man roster.  Herrera combined with Yankees reliever Jonathan Holder to throw a no-hitter on April 26, 2016 for the Trenton Thunder.  This season for the Thunder, Herrera is 7-0 with 1.07 ERA.  In 8 games, he has pitched 50 1/3 innings, with 41 strikeouts and 9 walks.  His WHIP is 0.7555. Herrera was born in Maracay, Venezuela, near the Caribbean Coast.  Yankees utility infielder Ronald Torreyes is a fellow Venezuelan.  Reliever Ben Heller was optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room.  Welcome to The Show, Ronald! I wish your first Major League decision could have been a victory but hopefully next time it is.  

Credit:  ESPN.com

No roster decisions have yet been made regarding CC Sabathia, but it is speculated that he'll be placed on the disabled list with a moderate (Grade 2) hamstring strain (expected to miss at least four weeks) with the recall of pitcher Domingo German. 

The Yankees have acquired relief pitcher Matt Frawley (R) from the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete the trade that sent reliever Johnny Barbato to the Steel City.  Frawley was drafted by the Pirates last year in the 17th Round out of Purdue University.  He'll be assigned to Class A Charleston.  Turning 22 in August, Frawley (3-1) is an older prospect at the A Level but in 19 appearances and 33 1/3 innings, he has to pitched to an ERA of 1.62 with only 4 walks and 32 strikeouts (WHIP is an impressive 0.75).  If Frawley continues to pitch as well as he did with the Class A West Virginia Power, he should soon find himself in AA with the Trenton Thunder.  

In reviewing the draft choices on Day 3 of the MLB Draft, I have to say that I love the name of the 22nd round pick.  RHP Janson Junk.  Now that's a baseball name.  Former Major League closer Brad Lidge's cousin, Ryan Lidge, was chosen in the 20th round.  Lidge is a senior catcher from Notre Dame.  This helps offset the loss of catcher Luis Torrens who was taken in last year's Rule 5 Draft by the San Diego Padres and is still on their Major League roster.  

There were a couple of late names that stood out to me.  In Round 29, the Yankees selected RHP Tristan Beck of Stanford.  Beck is highly touted but missed the 2017 season due to a back injury.  In some very early mock drafts, I saw Beck going as high as the first round.  Without any knowledge of the situation, I suspect that he'll return to Stanford for his junior year and attempt to rehabilitate his stock for higher placement in a future draft.  In Round 37, the Yankees took high school pitcher Tanner Burns.  Also highly touted, Burns' father has said that it's 100% his son will be attending Auburn University.  It would be a great coup if the Yankees could sign one of these guys (or both) but I seriously doubt it.  I suspect that we'll see Burns as a much higher draft choice in a future draft.

The Yankees begin a four-game set tonight against the Athletics in Oakland, CA.  Here are the pitching match-ups:

THURSDAY
Yankees:  Jordan Montgomery (4-4, 3.55 ERA)
A's:  Sonny Gray (2-2, 4.37 ERA)

FRIDAY
Yankees:  Luis Severino (5-2, 2.75 ERA)
A's:  Sean Manaea (6-3, 3.67 ERA)

SATURDAY
Yankees:  Masahiro Tanaka (5-6, 6.07 ERA)
A's:  Jesse Hahn (2-4, 3.56 ERA)

SUNDAY
Yankees:  TBA
A's:  Jharel Cotton (3-7, 5.52 ERA)

Have a great Thursday!  Here's hoping for much better success in No-Cal than So-Cal...