The New York Yankees lost a disappointing game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday, failing miserably to produce offensive support. Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole lasted 7.0 innings, giving up just four hits and striking out eight batters, but his team couldn’t get anything going against Luis Castillo. Castillo lasted 8.0 innings, striking out seven batters and giving up three hits.
After months of the Yankees being the team to come out on top in these close affairs, they’ve had a hard time getting over the hump and securing wins over the past few weeks post-All-Star break.
Not having Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton has hurt the team significantly, and losing Matt Carpenter to a fractured foot on Monday was just as devastating.
However, the Yankees are expected to get Rizzo back on Wednesday following a few days off due to lower back soreness.
Rizzo has been lethal for the Bombers this season, hitting .227 with a 34.7% on-base rate, 27 homers, and 66 RBIs. He has a 16.9% strikeout rate and 11.6% walk rate. Featuring a 50.2% flyball rate, 19.3% HR/FB ratio, and 46.4% pull rate, it is no surprise to see Rizzo enjoying a bit more success in the home run category this year.
Manager Aaron Boone was confident that he would be ready to go this week in the final game of a three-game series against Seattle.
“I’d expect him in there [Wednesday]. He’s doing really well. We’re just giving it one more day.”
Boone was a lot less sure of Giancarlo Stanton, who’s been dealing with Achilles tendinitis since leaving a July 23 game against the Baltimore Orioles after one at-bat.
Boone stated that Stanton would be with the team but not available to play as he inches closer to a return.
“He might be with us, but I don’t think he’ll be playing,’’ Boone said.
The Yankees need Giancarlo Stanton back in the lineup pronto:
This season, Stanton has a .228 average with a 30.9% on base rate and a .498 slugging percentage. He’s also contributed 24 homers. Considering he’s played in only 80 games, it is clear he hasn’t made the most of expectations.
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Stanton has gone through a rough injury patch every year since his second season with the Yankees back in 2019. Right now, they desperately need his bat after Carpenter was knocked out.
While the Yankees are desperately trying to get a bit healthier in the coming days, they simply need more from their prominent players. In addition, the base running in Seattle on Tuesday was some of the worst I’ve ever seen.
Being more disciplined on the base paths is a priority, especially in extra innings when teams get to start with a runner on second. At one point, Miguel Andujar was caught leaning too far toward third base on a line drive off the bat of Aaron Hicks. Andujar hesitated and was easily doubled up, putting the Yankees in a tough spot right off the bat.
Poor mental mistakes can’t continue if the Yankees want to be considered one of the best teams in baseball. At this point, August is starting down a bad path, and they must look forward to getting healthy down the stretch.