All the things appeared so proper in Yankeeland when the AL East’s second-place staff arrived in The Bronx this week. Then the ump stated play ball.
The early value determinations (together with right here) gushed concerning the Bronx Bombers. Everybody was speaking about how nice issues had been going, and particularly how exceptional their streak of fine well being was.
The fact verify got here fast.
The supposedly slumping Orioles, who clinched a playoff spot in Recreation 1 Tuesday, outlasted their hosts 9-7 Wednesday, drawing occasional boos from followers at Yankee Stadium, who seen issues aren’t fairly so good in any case.
Say this for the O’s. They don’t look intimidated within the 718.
Orioles slugger Anthony Santander banged one off the foul pole and Colton Cowser hit one virtually to the Grand Concourse Tuesday, then the Orioles began Wednesday’s recreation with 5 straight singles — although a minimum of a type of hits ought to have been fielded (extra on that later). The Yankees rallied for 4 runs within the ninth inning, three on Aaron Choose’s homer, his 57th, however couldn’t fairly overcome the earlier eight innings.
The overwhelming odds say these two video games will likely be nothing greater than a nasty reminiscence. I didn’t want to rent an analytics whiz from MIT to know the Yankees nonetheless maintain a 99.3 p.c likelihood to win this division (that assumes all seven remaining video games of significance are a 50-50 proposition).
The Yankees nonetheless will likely be pretty considered as favorites within the American League derby, not simply because they’ve the very best payroll, essentially the most stars and even the most effective file however for all the explanations everybody appears so glad round right here in latest days (a minimum of by the requirements of the ultraserious Yankee workers). Their rotation seems stable and sound, their lineup is imposing in lots of spots and their bullpen is best than critics recommend. Their well being can be typically glorious (although now not good), particularly by the requirements of latest Yankee Septembers.
It’s nonetheless honest to ask, after all, whether or not the previous couple days set off October fear. IIt’s nonetheless honest to ask, after all, whether or not the previous couple days set off October fear. Iasked Aaron Boone what involved him most now, and it’s no shock he didn’t pinpoint one factor, partly as a result of there’s no apparent general weak spot and partly as a result of he’s preternaturally well mannered.
We don’t have that downside right here. In order the magic quantity stays one and the champagne continues to relax, let’s price the issues.
1. Nestor Cortes has an elbow difficulty.
A lot for good well being. Seems Cortes has been feeling one thing amiss since Sunday, and an MRI examination Wednesday revealed a flexor tendon difficulty. He’s been shut down seven to 10 days, and all Boone may say is Cortes hasn’t been dominated out in the event that they go deep into October. Free translation: We very seemingly received’t see him ’til subsequent yr.
Whereas Cortes wasn’t seemingly ticketed for the rotation, he’s a troublesome lefty with massive stones and would have made a helpful postseason weapon. Fear meter (1-5 scale): 4.
2. The left subject answer nonetheless isn’t obvious.
We liked it once they promoted Jasson Dominguez, an immense expertise who supplied sudden energy in a 2023 cameo. However after a pair weeks, we are able to see occasional indicators why Boone appeared reluctant to switch veteran Alex Verdugo. Dominguez, who overran a catchable fly ball close to the road for a protracted single Wednesday, seems to be decidedly shaky in left whereas taking part in barely greater than half the video games.
Meantime, Verdugo continues to begin about half the time, and his offensive woes haven’t abated even after reportedly discovering he was allergic to his batting gloves (he’s 3-for-his-last-23). This stays a contest with 4 video games to go as a result of Verdugo makes performs on the market. Fear meter (1-5 scale): 4.
3. The cleanup hitter is a matter once more.
The Yankees struggled right here earlier than lastly putting in catcher Austin Wells, who appeared like the reply and a Rookie of the 12 months candidate in the important thing spot behind celebrity Aaron Choose. However Wells is hitting .125 in September and the Yankees stay fourth from the underside in cleanup OPS (.652). Wells’ TikToks, nevertheless, stay first-rate, I’m advised. Fear meter: (1-5 scale): 3.
4. The bullpen isn’t comprised of strikeout artists.
The high-leverage guys, with new star Luke Weaver anchoring issues, and Tommy Kahnle, Ian Hamilton, Tim Hill and hopefully former nearer Clay Holmes establishing, is shutting down most groups recently. And Weaver is changing into a swing-and-miss star (22 strikeouts in his final 10 innings). Nevertheless, in a late-game matchup with the Guardians or Astros, they do look deprived. Fear meter (1-5 scale): 2.
5. Gleyber Torres nonetheless wants a street map to barter the bases.
This stays the case, regardless of how enthusiastic Boone sounds whereas telling us he’s “cleaned up” previous baserunning woes. He’s nonetheless made six outs at dwelling to tie Yandy Diaz for many within the majors (by way of YES Community).
Torres is an particularly dicey runner for a leadoff man, much more so when you think about how silly it’s to run into outs in entrance of superstars Juan Soto and Choose. The overwhelming majority of time, although, he does discover his technique to the subsequent base. Fear meter (1-5 scale): 1.
