Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees have once again disappointed fans with another dreadful performance. The Yankees look pathetic.
It appeared easy when the Yankees eliminated a rebuilding Boston Red Sox team in the Wild Card series. In the A.L. East division Series, the lack of focus and talent on the roster has been exposed by the Toronto Blue Jays. The Yankees seem incapable of hitting major league pitching. The body language from hitters in the Yankees’ lineup expresses an inability to identify or make contact with any pitch thrown.
The Yankees’ bullpen is a disaster, except for Closer David Bednar. Others like Devin Williams and Luke Weaver have proven to be mediocre bargain bin talent. The starting pitching against the Blue Jays Lineup has turned into a shell of its former self. Luis Gil was a gem for the Yankees last season, but this season the former Rookie of the Year has lost the strike zone this season. Game 1 for Gil was comical: 2.2 IP, 4 Hits, 2 SO, 2 ER; this was Boone’s best option, apparently. In Game 2, Boone handed Max Fried the ball in an attempt to tie up the series.
The logical choice failed the Yankees tremendously with Fried lasting 3.3 IP, 8 Hits, 7 ER, 2 Walks, 1 SO. The Blue Jays’ lineup was all over Fried, and in fairness, his pitches looked flat and lifeless. Fried’s pitch control was just as bad as Luis Gil’s, surprisingly, unable to properly hit his locations, which led to leaving pitches towards the middle of the strike zone. Despite giving Toronto the early lead, the Yankees’ lineup has also been abysmal. The Yankees are scoring most of their runs in the late innings while continuing to be overwhelmed by opposing pitching.
Aaron Boone and the Yankees return to the Bronx for game 3 and look to Carlos Rodón to get the Yankees their 1st win in the series. Being down 2-0 in a best-of-5 series will be difficult to overcome. Carlos Rodón has been a poser since donning the pinstripes, so there’s no surprise if his performance for game 3 quickly gets out of hand. Still, the Yankee fan in me hopes Rodón can be the savior we need.The Yankees have looked overmatched at this point in the postseason. If the Yankees want to keep their World Series hopes alive, a win in Game 3 of the ALDS is the top priority for Boone, I’m sure. Rodón has been impressive during the regular season, but it’s clear this Toronto Blue Jays roster is built to win in the postseason. The Blue Jays’ Vladdy Guerrero has been killing the Yankees, but players like Dalton Varsho and George Springer have helped Toronto’s lineup become a powerhouse.
The Yankees look great on paper, but are terrible once you see them play. The New York Yankees have the 3rd highest payroll in baseball, but evidently have not spent the money correctly as they chase the empty analytics instead of relying on the eye test. I do believe analytics have a fundamental role in Major League Baseball. It’s no secret that the Yankees have also been burning through the numbers seeking players that project to become essential contributors to the roster. The analytics approach so far has been shoddy. The Yankees fail to comprehend the concept that players must perform on the field, not the computers that generate the potential numerical outcome.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman does not have the mental ability to build a championship roster. Cashman’s rinse-and-repeat methods of focusing mainly on a player’s defensive stats are a major issue. I believe defense wins championships, but you also have to score runs to win the game. Building a lineup that continues to rely on the home run is an outdated approach. Baseball is a sport that continues to evolve, and pitchers reaching a velocity of 100+ MPH is becoming customary in today’s game. Relying on a player’s defensive metrics while ignoring subpar offensive production is a path leading to failure. The Toronto Blue Jays are excelling at the plate by being patient, getting on base with walks and hits, and not swinging out of their cleats to hit a home run like the Yankees are accustomed to. Yankees Captain Aaron Judge is performing well this postseason, and hitting singles is great, but in Toronto, Judge now resembles confused members of a jury. Judge has 1 RBI in 2 games in the ALDS Cody Bellinger leads all players with 3 RBI this series.
Carlos Rodón and the Yankees must find a way to win Game 3 in the Boogie Down Bronx. Yankees rookie stud Cam Schlittler is scheduled to take the mound for game 4 of the ALDS. I believe the young rookie can once again save the Yankees’ season and allow them to win the division. The Yankees have been outscored 23-8 by the Blue Jays so far. In the postseason, anything is possible, and the Yankees need to prove they are the better team by scoring some early runs to settle down their starters. Ultimately, the best chance the Yankees have in defeating the Blue Jays is if manager Aaron Boone’s indecisive nature doesn’t interfere during the game.
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