The New York Yankees hit a bit of a slide prior to the All-Star Break, going 3-3 versus the Mets and Tampa Bay. After having four days off, they got back on track, going 7-3 on their first homestand of the second half.
With three series wins against Toronto, Tampa Bay, and Colorado, the Yankees are now 14-0-1 in their last 15 home series dating back to the April 16-17 two-game set against Boston. The one blemish over that period was a doubleheader split against the Mets on June 11.
After a three-game series against the A.L. Central-leading Twins, 19 of the Yankees’ next 21 games will be against A.L. East opponents. The Yankees currently hold a large division lead and this next stretch could potentially help lock up the division title. If this were to happen, it would be the Yankees’ first division title since 2012.
Updates On Severino, Betances, Maybin:
As the Yankees continue to dominate the American League, they could be getting some reinforcements in the near future. Both Luis Severino and Dellin Betances are making progress, throwing on flat ground during the Yankees’ last homestand. According to manager Aaron Boone, if all goes well, they should be throwing off a mound by the start of August. Neither has thrown a single pitch in 2019.
Outfielder Cameron Maybin is also on track to return very soon. According to Boone, the 32-year-old is scheduled to start a rehab assignment at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday. Maybin has been on the Injured List since June 23rd with a grade 2 left calf strain. In 42 games this season, Maybin was hitting .314/.391/.500/.891 with five home runs and 14 RBI. He also has a 135 OPS+, his highest since 2016 (116).
Outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is not faring as well in his rehab, unfortunately. The 2017 N.L. MVP has played in only nine games this season, spending the rest of 2019 on the I.L. with a myriad of injuries. His latest injury is a right knee strain, which he suffered while attempting to slide into third base on June 25 against Toronto. Boone said that he is making progress, but it is at a slow pace. His original timetable to return is for some time in mid-August, but as of now, that may be in jeopardy.
And now, with that out of the way… It’s time for this weeks:
Empire Sports Media’s Yankee Player of the Week (and a half):
Aaron Judge:
10 games, 13-33 (.394), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 10 BB, 7 Runs Scored
All rise for the honorable Yankee Player of the Week (and a half). Aaron Judge during this week and a half hit .394/.535/.606/1.141. He also drew 10 walks, continuing to show incredible patience at the plate. His highlight of the week and a half came on July 16 against Tampa Bay, where he went 2-for-3 with a go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning.
Honorable Mentions (Not in order):
Domingo German:
Vs. Toronto (7/12): W, 6.0 Innings, 3 Hits, 7 SO
Vs. Tampa Bay (7/18): W, 6.0 Innings, 4 Hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO
Gleyber Torres:
9 games, 10-32 (.313)
David Hale:
4 games, 6.0 Innings, 4 Hits, 5 SO