McCann Heating Up For Yankees Could Get Them Into the Playoffs

In last night's win over the Red Sox, it's fair to say Yankees Catcher Brian McCann had one of his best games of the season.

Facing a rookie pitcher in Boston's Anthony Ranaudo, McCann impressively went 4-for-4 with a two-run home run and three singles, leading the Yanks to an easy 5-1 win. 

Indeed, McCann played great yesterday, a fact that's a little strange considering the way he looked back in late June. Remember, at that time the Yanks were in the middle of a 2-9 stretch, one McCann definetely contributed to yet doesn't seem to care about anymore.

“It seems like it was a long, long time ago,” McCann said. “I feel like I’ve put a couple good months together. That’s the plan. It’s such a long season. It took me a little bit longer this year to get going with the bat than normal.”

Yep, that part's true. During that awful two week period, McCann was hitting in the .220s, although since July 1 he has improved, batting .285 to keep New York in the pennant race.

“I know there’s a month left and we’re fighting for a playoff spot," McCann said. "Stats are out the window at this point. It hasn’t been the season offensively I’ve hoped for, but at the same time we have a month to win games.”

Let's hope that thought process spreads around the clubhouse soon.

(Quotes via the New York Post)

Kuroda Dominant in 5-1 Win Over Red Sox

Hiroki Kuroda threw 7 innings of one-run ball and Brian McCann went 4-for-4 with 3 RBIs tonight as the Yankees bounced back nicely from yesterday's embrassment with a 5-1 win over the Red Sox. 

In those 7 frames, Kuroda, a man notorious for struggling at this time of the year, really did look great, surrendering just four hits while walking none and striking out eight.

Still, since Boston's Anthony Ranaudo, a 24-year-old rookie from New Jersey, only allowed a two-run home run to the aforementioned McCann and a sac fly to Jacoby Ellsbury during his 5 1/3 innings the contest stayed close until the bottom of the seventh, when a pair of RBI Singles off Alex Wilson put things out of reach. 

No, those singles, which came off the bats of McCann and Brett Gardner, weren't necessarily amazing, but since they did make it 5-1 to take the pressure off the corresponding relievers they were definitely huge, even if McCann's was slightly tainted by Carlos Beltran getting thrown out. 

Nick's Picks 2.0: Red Sox VS Yankees 9/3/14

I am pretty sure by this point the Yankees are hating going to work, because this is driving me nuts to watch. After a horrendous display last night, I could have jinxed that, a new night is what the team needs. This series can still be won, and needs to be won. Tonight is going to be Kuroda on the mound and he can get it done, if only we have enough support behind him. My picks tonight will not be as crazy as yesterdays, because I do not think I can be any more wrong than I was with those picks. 

Breakout Hitter: Watch out for Carlos Beltran tonight. The team as a whole has not faced Red Sox starter Anthony Ranaudo much, but in that small sample Beltran has taken him deep. Look for Beltran to belt one tonight, no really I think he might get one. I think Carlos goes 2-4 and drives in two runs, scoring two and helping the team to a big victory. 

Pitcher to watch: I think that tonight we are going to see Kuroda put together a pretty decent outing. Hopefully he quiets those bats because we do not want another game like last night. Kuroda is due to finally get that 10th win, and I think he pitches seven strong with six strikeouts. We need you tonight Hirok! 

Simply Cluth: Come on Ichiro! I want something from you at the bottom of the lineup. We need you to act as a table setter and get on for the big boys at the top. Look for Ichiro to get on and cause some havoc. Yeah, we know he wont be stealing any bases, but you never know. Ichiro will be the big run tonight. 

Simply, we need a win tonight. Not too confusing, just a W at the end of the day. The Yankees cannot afford to keep this up, they need to get on a winning streak and stay on it. I have a notion that tonight we finally pull through and start this streak, I hope. Yankees will win tonight 5-3. Let's go Yankees! Remember YCPB!  

Capuano Decent, But Yanks' Offense Struggles Again in Loss to Red Sox

Chris Capuano threw 6 1/3 innings of four-run ball and Carlos Beltran collected two RBI, but since the Red Sox were able to cross home in the bottom of the seventh the Yankees lost to Boston tonight, 4-3, in the series opener at Fenway. 

At times in this evening's contest, as you see by that close final score, New York did appear to gain some momentum, getting a solo homer from Beltran in the fourth that made it 2-1 and another RBI Single from #36 in the sixth that made it 3-2.

Still, after Capuano allowed a man to get to second with one out in Boston's half of the seventh, Dustin Pedroia drove in the insurance run to bring it to 4-2, essentially ending the ballgame.

Yes, in the top of the eighth the Yankees got a home run from Derek Jeter and put men on the corners with two outs, but since Sox CF Mookie Betts still robbed Jacoby Ellsbury of an extra-base hit following Jeter's shot and Chase Headley grounded out to end the frame the Bombers did fall eventually, with Boston rookie Anthony Ranaudo (6 IP, 2 ER) getting the W in his MLB debut.