The New York Yankees season is on the brink of elimination, and manager Aaron Boone has opted for yet another different lineup. Yesterday’s offensive showing was the worst of the year and, unfortunately, came at the most pivotal time of the season.
Nobody could get anything going, and two of the Yanks’ three hits came in the bottom of the ninth with two outs. Hopefully, the team can rally for at least a game or two in the series and save the embarrassment of getting swept.
Shortstop has been the most obvious of black holes for the squad, and it’s apparent that the front office didn’t think through their acquisitions during the offseason. The FO decided to pursue IKF and Donaldson to fill the left side of the infield — and the former is struggling to crack the lineup, with the latter being abhorrently terrible at the plate (and taking no responsibility).
To say it was a failure of a move would be an understatement, and if the organization wanted to rid themselves of Gary Sanchez that badly, they should’ve just DFA’d or non-tendered him.
The Yanks make more changes at SS and to their leadoff spot:
Tonight, assuming the game doesn’t get rained out, IKF will get his shot at redemption with the season on the line. The Yanks find themselves down 3-0 in the series, and only once has a 3-0 comeback been accomplished — the Red Sox in ’04.
All hope is not lost quite yet, but if the offense comes out firing like they did yesterday, the mood will quickly plummet in a free-fall. IKF needs to make the routine plays today, as yesterday’s shortstop Oswaldo Cabrera, moves back to LF, as Stanton is shifted back to DH. Numerous changes in the LU will hopefully spark some sort of motivation in the teams’ bones, as a win, today could be all they need to get jumpstarted.
The other issue the Yanks’ have been plagued with this postseason is who they choose to set the table for Aaron Judge and the offense. Yesterday it was Anthony Rizzo, and the game before, it was Harrison Bader. We’ve seen the likes of Torres and Judge (before the organization realized that probably wasn’t the best move) also man that role. Tonight, Harrison Bader is back in the leadoff spot, and hopefully, he is able to get on base multiple times to put the pressure on the Houston pitching.
This is it for the Yankees, if the team doesn’t show up tonight, there is no other chance to right their wrongs. Some guys have taken responsibility, like Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge. Others seem to be content making excuses and saving face — ie; Josh Donaldson.
The Yanks have to show some sort of drive and want this series, as they have been completely outmatched up to this point. Yesterday, Cole did all he could, but a terrible decision to pull him for Trivino saw the Yanks’ ace give up a 5 spot in the run column. Do or die in the Boogie Down, The People’s Ace, Nestor Cortes, is on the bump.