Yankees Go Belly Up in Boston!

The Yankees were spwet in Boston, on Sunday night. The final game a crushing 5-4 extra in loss thanks to Chapman’s blown Save. The look says it all! Chapman walked the bases loaded to start the 9th (At which point where is Aaron Boone to pull him). The Yankee closer showed he didn’t have it on this night, but Boone stuck with him anyway, and the end result most likely killed any hope of the Yanks winning the AL East. The Yankees do need to right the ship, but do have the 3rd best record in baseball. That being said it’s no need to panic but time to get back to winning.  From what I’ve seen is time to shake up the lineup once more.  I’ll break down what I’m seeing in and what I think should happen. Firstly Aaron Hicks is not a lead off hitter and is way to streaky in that spot. If moved down in the lineup his outs wat at least get more productive. 

Secondly Mr Torres is proving he is not ready to be in the middle of the Yankees batting order. He is struggled is returning from the DL and it may just be the spot in the order in which is expected to produce from.  Also may be due to the pitches he sees bating 5th then the ones he does batting 9.

Sir Didi is not a 3 hitter and needs to start hitting more consistently bottom line. Whoever wouldn’t take Manny Machado over Didi needs there head examined. But that is a debate for another day. (Well thinking about it I’ll touch on that a little later). Neil Walker has been one of their best hitters since heating up. Greg Bird has shown some signs of life but still can’t get it going on a nightly basis but I love his potential pop.  The one issue I see is the Yankees don’t have a legit Leadoff option. So Gardner is should be. Anyways here is the line up the Bombers should be giving a try, at least until the back up gets healthy.  

1. Gardner LF
2. Stanton RF
3. Bird 1B 
4. Hicks CF 
5. Walker DH 
6. Gregorius SS
7. Romine C 
8. Andujar 3B 
9. Torres 2B 

Putting the 2 rookies back at the bottom of the order may be what the Bombers need to turn over the lineup and get back to winning.  Greg Bird getting moved up may be the confidence builder he needs to finally stay consistent. Hopefully Judge, Sanchez, and Red Thunder can get back soon and provide the help they need. 

Now just some Quick thoughts on next years lineup and what the Bombers should look like to keep pace with the BoSox As I mentioned the Yankees need a leadoff hitter however I don’t see a legit one on this years free agent market might have to think about a trade there or getting creative. (Which might just save Sir Didi). Either way here goes nothing. 

1. Manny Machado 3B 
2. Aaron Judge RF 
3. Bryce Harper CF 
4. Giancarlo Stanton LF 
5. Gray Sanchez C 
6. Didi Gregorius SS 
7. Miguel Andujar DH 
8. Greg Bird 1B 
9. Gleyber Torres 2B 

I know I know I’m dreaming here singing both Manny and Bryce but hey you never know. To be honest with you I’d rather see Didi traded to the reds for Billy Hamilton. Then giving you .....

1. Hamilton CF
2. Judge RF 
3. Stanton DH 
4. Harper LF 
5. Machado SS 
6. Sanchez C 
7. Bird 1B 
8. Andujar 3B 
9. Torres 2B

Dream Big and Chase down the Red Sox, and damn does Manny and Bryce look awesome in Pinstripes. 

As always I can be reached at JamesCPalma@Yahoo.Com          Goodnight Fans!! 

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox 8/4

And just like that it is game time here in the Bronx between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Rivalry renewed, let’s get to this here in Boston. In the start this afternoon the Yankees will send Chance Adams out to the mound to make his MLB debut while the Red Sox will counter with Nathan Eovaldi. The game will be played at 4:05 pm ET inside Boston’s historic Fenway Park and can be seen on the YES Network in New York, NESN is Boston and Fox Sports One if you are out of either market. You can also follow along with the game on MLB TV, with the MLB At-Bat app or by tuning into the Yankees radio broadcast with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Follow us on Twitter, @GreedyStripes, and “Like” us on Facebook, The Greedy Pinstripes, to keep up with us and the Yankees all season long. Enjoy the game, here’s to hoping that Adams has a debut like Domingo German did, and go Yankees!!

Meet a Prospect: Chance Adams

The New York Yankees were in a bit of a predicament heading into the weekend which ultimately forced the hand of the organization into calling up the subject of our Meet a Prospect series here this afternoon. The Yankees had originally slated JA Happ to make his Yankees debut against the Boston Red Sox this afternoon, but hand, foot and mouth disease has forced the lefty onto the disabled list and Chance Adams to the Major Leagues to take his place in the rotation. In just a few hours one of the top Yankees prospects, and one that I have talked up for many, many years now, will make his MLB debut against arguably the best team in Major League Baseball here in 2018. No pressure, kid. This is Meet a Prospect: The Chance Adams Edition.

Chance Adams was born on August 10, 1994 and attended High School at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. Adams spent two years playing college baseball at Yavapai College before transferring to Dallas Baptist University for his junior season. While at Dallas Baptist the right-hander caught the attention and the eye of the New York Yankees who came calling in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB First Year Players Draft drafting him and almost immediately signing him to his first professional contract. Adams was drafted as a relief pitcher and pitched out of the bullpen for the Staten Island Yankees, the Charleston Riverdogs and the Tampa Yankees before his 2015 season ended.

Adams was converted to a starting pitcher before the 2016 season and spent time starting with the Tampa Yankees (5-0 record with a 2.65 ERA in 12 games) and the Trenton Thunder (8-1 record with a 2.07 ERA). Adams was back as a starter for the Double-A Trenton Thunder in 2017, but the right-hander was not long for the affiliate as the Yankees quickly and aggressively promoted Adams to Triple-A during the 2017 season. Adams was lights out in Double-A but he did struggle some at the Triple-A level finishing the season with a combined 15-5 record and a 2.45 ERA in 150.1 innings pitched combined.

Adams was back in Triple-A for the 2018 season but unfortunately many of the struggles that found him in Scranton in 2017 followed the right-hander into the 2018 season. At the time of his call-up to the Major Leagues the Yankees young right-hander was pitching to a 3-5 record with a 4.50 ERA, 102 strikeouts, 48 walks and a 1.316 WHIP in 98 innings pitched.

The 2018 numbers and the Triple-A numbers in general were ugly, but much like the postseason… it is a new season now and none of those numbers count. Make today’s start count, because we are counting on you. Welcome to the Majors, Chance. Go Yankees!!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox 8/4

The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox are back at it again this afternoon inside Fenway Park in the third of their four-game weekend set in Boston. Could the Yankees potentially get a glimpse into their future this afternoon? Only time will tell, but for today’s start the Yankees will call up RHP Chance Adams to make his MLB debut in place of JA Happ while the Red Sox will counter with a familiar face to the Bombers in former Yankees pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. Let’s get to it here in Boston’s historic Fenway Park, home of the Green Monstah.

Adams will make his MLB debut this afternoon for the Yankees in place of JA Happ who had contracted hand, foot and mouth disease. Adams has struggled some in the minor leagues this season for the Yankees and at Triple-A in general, but will get the chance, no pun intended, to make all of that go away with a strong start this afternoon in Beantown.

Eovaldi will once again see the greatest rivalry in the history of Major League Baseball, but this time from the side of the Boston Red Sox. Eovaldi was a pitcher for the Yankees in 2015 and 2016 but was recently traded to the Red Sox from the Rays before the trade deadline.

The game will be played at 4:05 pm ET inside Boston’s historic Fenway Park and can be seen on the YES Network in New York, NESN is Boston and Fox Sports One if you are out of either market. You can also follow along with the game on MLB TV, with the MLB At-Bat app or by tuning into the Yankees radio broadcast with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Enjoy the game, good luck to you Chance, and go Yankees!!

Hello… Finally Time to Rant About Sonny Gray

Good morning Yankees family. Where am I? More like, where have I been? Let’s cross that bridge before we completely burn the bridge connecting my fandom to Sonny Gray. Work, that’s where I have been. There is a lot changing at my job right now and a lot of moving parts, both of which I have been fully involved in. I simply haven’t had the time to scratch my head let alone to write much, although I have been trying to keep up with as much as I can on Twitter, so for that I apologize.

Now, Sonny Gray and that smug look and smile on his face after letting a Double-A team and Adam Jones knock him out of a start in the third inning the other night. You do not know how bad I wanted to be on that field or in that dugout with him after he came out of the game. That right there was the final straw for me as a fan and defender of Sonny Gray. I’m done, bridge is burnt and then he pissed on it. That’s not the embodiment of a Yankee in my opinion, to smile and laugh while the team is potentially in the midst of a free fall because you, Mr. Gray and others, are not doing your job and living up to your paychecks. Period.

Go smile in the clubhouse, don’t do it as you leave the field. You don’t give a shit, that much is clear, but we, the fans, do. Respect that as most of us have respected you, until now. Asshat, Sonny Gray is a tool.

Oh, and hey baby. Rant over, back to love. I loves you!!!

This Day in New York Yankees History 8/4: A-Bomb x500 and A-Bomb x600

At one point in his career everyone thought that Alex Rodriguez would be the man to finally break Hank Aaron's and then Barry Bonds all-time home run mark. Alex hit two home runs on this day on his way to the record books. It all started in 2007 when Alex became the 22nd and the youngest player (32 years and 8 days) to hit 500 home runs. Alex only took 14 seasons to reach the mark when he hit the three run home run off Royals starter Kyle Davies. Alex joined Mickey Mantle as the only other player to hit his 500th home run inside Yankee Stadium.

A mere three years later on this day in 2010 Alex was in the news again for hitting a home run, this time his 600th home run of his career. Alex would pass Babe Ruth to become the youngest player in the history of baseball to reach the 600 home run plateau. A Rod's first inning two run home run would make him the seventh player in baseball history to reach 600 home runs.

Also on this day in 1985 the Yankees honored Phil Rizzuto by retiring his #10 jersey before the game. Rizzuto was a former Yankees player and a play by play color broadcaster that was best known for his "Holy Cow" expressions. The Yankees honored Rizzuto by a gift from the team of a cow wearing a halo.

Also on this day in 1985 Tom Seaver becomes the 17th player in major league history to win his 300th game. Seaver ruins Phil Rizzuto Day at Yankee Stadium by beating the Yankees 4-1 allowing only six singles to reach the milestone.

Finally on this day in 1968 the Yankees held their second of three days honoring the great Mickey Mantle. Prior to the game over 2000 fans paid tribute to the future Hall of Famer in the Bronx.

Yanks Taking a Chance...

The Bronx Bombers are taking a chance, it may be forced and not choice but non the less it’s a chance.

 Chance Adams will start for the Bombers on Saturday vs the Red Sox. Chance Adams, 23, has a 4.50 ERA in 21 starts at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this year , way up from a 2.45 ERA last season in Double-A and Triple-A. He has went from being the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect a year ago to the 13th spot now. He had offseason surgery to remove bone chips in his right elbow. That dropped his fastball velocity and was a big reason he had a bad spring training. The velocity has been slowly coming back.  

Adams over his last 6 starts has a 3.07 ERA . He's 3-5 with that 4.50 ERA. Chance has been talked about for a couple years now and is finally getting his shot. I for one am very happy to see this happening. Adams may just be a surprise answer to the Yankees struggling rotation, even just for a day! It’s a Chance I’m willing to take on Adams. 

As always I can be reached at 

JamesCPalma@Yahoo.Com. 

Let’s go Yanks! 

Bring on The Sox’s

The Bronx Bombers & Boston Red Sox begin a 4 game tilt on starting tonight in Boston.  
The Yankees' lineup includes the debut of Luke Voit, who was imported last week from the St. Louis Cardinals. To make room for Voit on the 25-man roster, infielder Tyler Wade was optioned back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Yankees have also put lefty starter J.A. Happ on the DL and called Luis Cessa from The Rail Raiders. 

Tonight’s Yankee Lineup 

1. Aaron Hicks, CF
2018 stats: .254 average, 299 AB, 54 runs, 76 hits, 14 doubles, 2 triples, 17 HR, 47 RBI, 51 BB, 73 K, 8 SB, 2 CS, .846 OPS, 86 games.

2. Giancarlo Stanton, RF
2018 stats: .277 average, 412 AB, 65 runs, 114 hits, 19 doubles, 1 triple, 24 HR, 64 RBI, 38 BB, 140 K, 4 SB, 0 CS, .847 OPS, 105 games.

3. Didi Gregorius, SS
2018 stats: .269 average, 391 AB, 65 runs, 105 hits, 20 doubles, 3 triples, 18 HR, 60 RBI, 37 BB, 56 K, 10 SB, 6 CS, .803 OPS, 101 games.


4. Gleyber Torres, 2B
2018 stats: .289 average, 242 AB, 34 runs, 70 hits, 11 doubles, 1 triple, 17 HR, 49 RBI, 20 BB, 67 K, 2 SB, 1 CS, .902 OPS, 70 games.


5. Miguel Andujar, 3B
2018 stats: .294 average, 360 AB, 49 runs, 106 hits, 30 doubles, 2 triples, 13 HR, 47 RBI, 16 BB, 67 K, 1 SB, 0 CS, .824 OPS, 95 games.

6. Greg Bird, 1B
2018 stats: .233 average, 180 AB, 17 runs, 42 hits, 10 doubles, 1 triple, 9 HR, 27 RBI, 22 BB, 54 K, 0 SB, 0 CS, .777 OPS, 53 games.


7. Luke Voit, DH
2018 stats: Cardinals, .182 average, 11 AB, 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 doubles, 0 triples, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 4 K, .762 OPS, 8 games.


8. Austin Romine, C
2018 stats: .267 average, 146 AB, 19 runs, 39 hits, 11 doubles, 0 triples, 6 HR, 29 RBI, 12 BB, 33 K, 0 SB, 0 CS, .789 OPS, 48 games.

9. Brett Gardner, LF
2018 stats: .249 average, 353 AB, 64 runs, 88 hits, 14 doubles, 3 triples, 9 HR, 33 RBI, 49 BB, 61 K, 10 SB, 1 CS, .725 OPS, 91 games.

Yankees Starting Pitcher: CC Sabathia: 6-4 in 104.2 IP  3.53 ERA 85Ks 31BBs. 

The Red Sox Lineup 

1. Mookie Betts (R) RF .338/.422/.648 

2. Andrew Benintendi (L) LF .296/.378/.503 

3. Steve Pearce (R) 1B .307/.378/.512

4. J.D. Martinez (R) DH .323/.391/.638 

5. Ian Kinsler (R) 2B .240/.304/.404

6. Eduardo Nunez (R) 3B .259/.288/.372

7. Blake Swihart (S) C .234/.298/.315

8. Brock Holt (L) SS .273/.357/.371 

9. Jackie Bradley Jr. (L) CF .215/.300/.363 

Brian Johnson (LP) goes for The Sox’s as Chris Sale’s replacement.  Big break there.  

Let’s Go Yanks! 

I can be reached at JamesCPalma@Yahoo.Com 

Sonny Gray Out, Lance Lynn In

I guess that will maybe wipe that smug smirk and smile off your face, huh? Enjoy the bullpen, or the bench in the bullpen, while Lance Lynn takes your turn in the rotation every fifth day, ass hat.

An Unforgettable Day in the Yankees Universe...

I’d Like to Forget Yesterday’s Game but Thurman Munson was a bigger loss…

This is always a tough day as I am sure it is for any Yankees fan who grew up with the Bronx Zoo Yankees.  It has been 39 years since the death of my favorite Yankee, a day that I can still so vividly remember. One of those ‘you know exactly where you were’ moments in life.  I’ve had many favorite ball players over the years but none have matched the intensity and passion that drove Yankees Captain and star catcher Thurman Munson. It’s not to say that guys like Jorge Posada or Don Mattingly or Derek Jeter weren’t passionate or intense, they were, but there was something about Thurman that set him apart. Looking back, the early George Steinbrenner Era was so chaotic.  It’s what I grew up with so changing managers every year was the norm. Signing the most glamorous superstars in the off-season was expected. The polarization of players like Reggie Jackson was simply daily life in the Bronx. The one constant was the strength (mentally and physically) of the team’s legendary catcher. I loved that guy and miss him to this day.

My first Yankees jersey was number 15. I wish I still had it even if it had been a child’s size. 

My biggest fear in the late ‘70’s was the eventual departure of Munson from the Yankees. I remember the days when he was talking more and more like a guy who wanted to play for the Cleveland Indians so that he could be closer to home. It was clear how much family meant to him. I selfishly wanted him to stay but in retrospect, I would have gladly taken his presence on the Indians roster for the later years of his career over his early demise.

Thurman, we are thinking of you. We miss you. Your spirit and memory continue to run strong through the fabric of Yankee Stadium even if the current one was not yet built in 1979. I remain forever grateful that you were and always will be a Yankee. You stand tall among the Yankee Legends.

How do you transition from ‘GREAT’ to, as Mike Axisa of River Ave Blues would put it, not so ‘GRAYT’? Sadly, that’s what comparing today to yesterday brings when talking about certain players (specifically excluding the tragic death of one of the most beloved Yankees). 

I am done with Sonny Gray.  He had already reached ‘Sonny Gray Sucks!’ status for me earlier this year, but I foolishly bought into the last couple of starts which were somewhat decent.  I had been hopeful that he was finally turning the corner and headed down the path of promise we once felt he was destined for.  Then he blows up against one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball. By the time Lance Lynn entered the game to calm the troops, the damage had been done.  Gleyber Torres tried to bring the team back with his two home runs but an inability of others to create opportunities when the bases were loaded was too much.  Lots of negatives in the game.  Gleyber’s fielding, the whiffs with run scoring opportunities, the third base coach going off on the team in the dugout for their lackadaisical effort, etc. It was not a good game from any aspect, but at the heart was the pathetic performance delivered by one Sonny Douglas Gray. His smile walking off the mound (regardless of his explanation) was horrific.  Ed Whitson couldn’t pitch in the Bronx, nor could Javier Vazquez. A.J. Burnett flamed out. Following in their footsteps is Gray. I firmly believe that Gray would thrive in a place like Pittsburgh or Milwaukee, but he’ll never be the man in the Bronx. He is incapable of rising to the occasion on Major League Baseball’s Main Stage.  He prefers to be a less pressurized side show in a small community theater. 

The Yankees shouldn’t give up Gray for nothing but they should try to do the humane thing and re-home him to a family that can love and support him. If he stays in the Bronx, I am in favor of euthanasia. Alright, that might be a little harsh, but he’s reached the end of the line for rotation opportunities in my mind. I know the Yankees need to try to rebuild some value before he is traded away (Brian Cashman should have flipped him at this year’s trading deadline), but the time to live or die with Sonny Gray in the starting rotation is over for this season.  I wasn’t excited about the addition of Lance Lynn, but I firmly believe that Lynn should be the starter over Gray for the duration of the season. Make Gray the rotation’s sixth man, with an occasional spot start. Even that scares me to a degree. He’s become the guy I’d want pitching with a ten-run lead but of course he’d still have me pacing the room. 

Too bad the Oakland A’s do not have a return policy for defective merchandise. I’d like my money back. Heck, I’d gladly take Dustin Fowler (demoted to Triple A yesterday by the A’s) back in exchange for Gray.  Let them keep James Kaprielian and Jorge Mateo as “profit”. 

For today’s game in Boston, we know that first baseman Luke Voit and Luis Cessa have been called up.  While outfielder Shane Robinson goes down for Voit, there hasn’t been word yet this morning about who’s spot Cessa will take. The obvious solution is the placement of J.A. Happ, currently battling Noah Syndergaard disease, on the 10-day DL retroactive to three days ago. I’d argue the demotion of Sonny Gray (according to Roster Resource, he has two options left). Losing Gray makes more sense to me than Happ who should be healthy again within a few days.

I kind of feel bad for Luke Voit.  He was a hometown St Louis kid fighting to reach his Major League Dream with his favorite childhood team, but it was extinguished when he was dealt to the Yankees, along with international bonus pool money, in the trade that sent relievers Chasen Shreve and Giovanny Gallegos to the Gateway City. Of course there are worse places to go than the Bronx and I am hopeful that the history and the tradition of the organization appeal to the Missouri kid. Maybe we can get Tino Martinez to stop by and express the advantages of playing for the Yankees over the Cardinals. Seriously, I hope Voit thrives in New York and becomes Brian Cashman’s latest gem. This is a great opportunity for him even if he is destined to return to Moosic, PA in the not-so-distant future. With no offense to Robinson, I am much happier with Voit on the Major League roster. 

This is a big series for the Yankees.  Four games against Boston in the very heart of Red Sox Nation. Mike Francesa tweeted this morning, “We are all going to learn something about this Yankee team this weekend”.  No doubt.  If they play like they did yesterday, the Red Sox will be clearing shelf space for their 2018 AL East Championship trophy. The Yankees need to make a statement and take at least three of four from the AL East leaders. They have the talent to do it. We’ll soon see if they have the heart. They certainly did not yesterday. Red Sox fans are loving life today.  If they are feeling miserable and uncomfortable on Sunday, it will have been a successful weekend. 

Thank God Sonny Gray will not be pitching.

Pinstripers, your mission should you choose to accept it…  Let’s do this. Time to make noise in the AL East.

Go Yankees!