If the New York Yankees wish to win games in the postseason, they can’t score just one run per game. Over the last two games against the Toronto Blue Jays, they have totaled two runs and allowed 18. The Yankees are very much a feast or famine team, who go through tough cold streaks but then dominate when on fire.
On Thursday evening, the Yankees only tallied six hits, with the top of the order recording the majority. The Blue Jays racked up 10 hits and four runs but struck out 12 times.
FINAL SCORE: 4-1
Good news and bad news for the New York Yankees:
GOOD NEWS:
For the second straight day, the Yankees don’t have much good news to enjoy. However, starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery had a decent outing, allowing three earned runs over 5.1 and innings pitched. He struck out eight batters, and while this wasn’t his best showing of the season, having some run support would’ve been beneficial.
Adam Ottavino, who came in after Montgomery as a relief arm, allowed three hits and one earned run. Ottavino currently hosts a 6.00 ERA and continued his tumultuous 2020 campaign on Thursday.
With the postseason only a few days away, the offense must pick things up. They are capable of dominating, but their inconsistencies have shown a glaring weakness.
One piece of good news, Gio Urshela, is currently on a 13 game hitting streak — 22-for-48 with six doubles and 10 RBIs over that span.
BAD NEWS:
There’s plenty of bad news to harp on from the loss to Toronto. The Yankees inability to score with runners in scoring position is becoming a serious problem. They live and die by the home run, and that has been their downfall in recent years.
Clint Frazier, who is currently hitting .280, snapped an 0-for-14 slump with a single in the seventh inning. His offensive contributions have disappeared in recent days. Defensively, the Yankees have struggled, and the catcher position remains a serious question mark heading into the playoffs. Reports have indicated that Kyle Higashioka could earn starting reps, specifically when Gerrit Cole is pitching.
The Bombers didn’t even put up a serious fight against Toronto who clinched a playoff spot in the win.