By Ethan Semendinger
June 28, 2024
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Last night started terrible, got worse, and then got boring. Where did the good pitching and hitting go?
Quick Stats -
Winning Pitcher: Jose Berrios (7-6. 3.38 ERA)
Losing Pitcher: Carlos Rodon (9-5, 4.42 ERA)
Save: N/A
Home Runs (New York): Trent Grisham (5)
Home Runs (Toronto): George Springer (8), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (11)
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Big Story - Coming out of the 2-game Subway Series, the Yankees were 2-8 for last 10 games.
In just 3 of those games, the offense eclipsed 5 runs. (In two of those games, the Yankees still lost.) Also in just 3 of those games, the pitching kept the opposing team to fewer than 7 runs. (Both of their 2 wins came during those games.)
It may be injuries, regression to the mean, fatigue, or divine intervention, but the Yankees are in a free-fall. And soon, if this doesn't stop, the comfortable lead they had in the AL East will be all but gone.
Here was the line-up for the opening game of the 4-game weekend series in Toronto:
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Player of the Game -
Jake Cousins: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 2 K's
Notable Performances -
Phil Bickford: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 2 K's
Anthony Volpe: 1-4, K
Jahmai Jones: 1-4
Trent Grisham: 1-3, Run, Home Run, 2-RBI's, K
Better to Forget -
Carlos Rodon: 5.0 IP, 10 H, 8 R (8 ER), 1 BB, 8 K's
Juan Soto: 0-3, BB, 2 K's
Aaron Judge: 0-4, 2 K's
Alex Verdugo: 0-3, BB, 2 K's
Ben Rice: 0-3, BB, K
Austin Wells: 0-3, BB, K
Oswaldo Cabrera: 0-3, Run, K
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The Game - Yesterday in my game summary, I told you exactly what you needed to read. In case you missed it, it applies against tonight:
"It is late. I am tired. It was ugly for the Yankees. The Mets out played them in every way."
Just replace the word "Mets" with "Blue Jays" and my sentiment remains the same.
To summarize the game quickly, the Yankees defense allowed a lot of weak contact to result in hits in the first inning. Volpe missed a ball that became a single. IKF was hit by a pitch. Vladimir Guerrero turned a single into a double on a broken-bat hit. Justin Turner scored (and got an RBI) on a swinging bunt that ended up trickling down the first base line. And then, George Springer broke the game open with a 3-run home run. The Blue Jays had a 5 run lead before a single out was recorded.
In the 2nd inning, another IKF hit-by-pitch and a Justin Turner walked provided the opportunity for George Springer to hit another 3-run homerun. He did just that. The Blue Jays had scored 8 runs in just 4 outs.
After this, Carlos Rodon did settled down, but the damage was long done. The only retort the Yankees had was a Trent Grisham 2-run home run in the 5th inning. But, by that time, I'm sure most of us had decided we'd be better using our night for something else.
And just to add to the damage, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a solo home run in the 6th. This would be the games final run. The Blue Jays won 9-2.
...
But, speaking about Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Just recently, it came out that if he was to be shopped away from Toronto, he would welcome a chance to play with any team: even the New York Yankees. The same team that he himself said he'd never play for as a matter of personal and family matters.
And, I don't want him either.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a fantastic baseball player. He hits for a high average, he has a decent amount of power, he has flash and belief in himself. He's also just 25 years old and has been consistently healthy.
But, I don't want him.
Not yet, at least. Because, I think there's a real good chance the Yankees won't even want to trade for him in a months time.
We have a good month until the trade deadline. Between now and then, the Yankees will play 19 games against AL East opponents. (And another 8 games to add against NL opponents, including 2 more against the Mets and 3 against the Phillies.)
Between now and then, the Yankees have a real legitimate shot at becoming a .500 team.
And, I don't think that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wants to (or is willing to) go to the Yankees just because. I think it's because right now (or, really, 2 weeks ago) the Yankees looked to be the best team in the MLB: bar none.
Now, the Yankees are falling. Quickly.
And a single first baseman is not going to fix it.
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Next Up - The Yankees (52-31) will continue their 4-game weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays (37-43) with a match-up between Marcus Stroman (7-3, 3.15 ERA) and Yusei Kikuchi (4-7, 4.00 ERA). Television coverage will begin at 7:07 PM on YES.
