About Yesterday Afternoon: The Yankees Were Beaten By the Braves 3-1
By Tim Kabel
June 24, 2024
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The Yankees lost the game yesterday. They lost the series against the Braves They lost the homestand. They did not lose their hold on first place but, it is not a strong hold. It's as if they are holding a glass ball with soapy hands. The Yankees also lost Giancarlo Stanton with a hamstring injury. It is reportedly a four-week timetable for his return. He usually takes longer than the projected time. At best, he will be back at the end of July. Don't forget, it always takes him some time after coming back to round into form. I think it's safe to say that the best of Giancarlo Stanton’s 2024 has already happened. Let's hope that the same is not true for the Yankees as a team.
As an aside, I sent my wife to her first the Yankees game since the 1990s along with my 77-year-old sister, who was attending her first game ever. There was some trouble with their tickets and the Yankees were going to have then thrown out. However, Jose Trevino was in charge of the process, so they made it to their seats.
Quick Stats –
· The Yankees lost their last three series.
· The Yankees lost four games on this homestand. They were all to left-handed starters.
· The Yankees struck out nine times and didn’t draw a walk.
· The Yankees remain in first place by a game and a half over the Orioles. They now go on the road for six games against the Mets and the Blue Jays. Ideally, they can rack up some wins but with the way they have played lately, who knows?
· Giancarlo Stanton was placed on the IL for the eighth time in six years. Instead of calling it the IL, they should call it the Stanton list.
· During the game, the Yankees traded for JD Davis. Before you get too excited, he was released by the A’s. He was batting .236 with four home runs.
· On June 23, 1988, Billy Martin was fired for the fifth and final time as Yankees manager. Unfortunately, history did not repeat itself this year.
The Big Story –
Right now, the Yankees look lackluster and ordinary. They have lost three series in a row. They lost the homestand. They did not do well against tough competition. They have more unproductive spots in the lineup than productive ones. The bullpen is a disaster. The starting rotation has come back to earth. They lost Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton to injuries this week. Jasson Dominguez is also injured. They don't look like a very good team right now. The flaws of the Yankees are becoming larger and more obvious. Some could just be temporary and fixed easily. Others are not. There is trouble in River City.
Player of the Game –
Ben Rice had two hits and looks like he belongs.
Notable Performances –
Trent Grisham also had two hits. He and Rice were only playing because Stanton and Rizzo are on the IL. Yet, they accounted for four of the Yankees’ seven hits.
Better to Forget –
DJ LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres were hitless again. Torres is now batting .218 and LeMahieu is batting .185. They will both probably start against the Mets on Tuesday.
My Take –
Some readers have taken me to task for comparing Aaron Boone to Stump Merrill. I understand why they might feel that way. After all, Boone's teams have won. Well, they have won more than they have lost. BUT - they have never made it to the World Series. They have never won the World Series. Boone's teams have won more games than Stump Merrill’s teams. However, I think it's fair to say that Aaron Boone’s teams have had a lot more talent than those helmed by Mr. Merrill. I will amend my position to state this. Aaron Boone is Stump Merrill with more talented players.
I know there are some people who think that Aaron Boone just sits in the manager's office, blowing bubbles and makes no decisions whatsoever. I don't believe that. I think he makes the lineups and makes in-game decisions. He might receive some suggestions about who to play but, ultimately, he makes the calls. Think about this, Aaron Boone has a very well-developed and healthy ego. He believes that he was a very good baseball player. He believes that he is a very good manager. You can tell this by the way he responds to questions from the media. There is an arrogance about him. That's all well and good but, he hasn't won anything. I do think that he makes decisions regarding the team on the field. Many of his decisions whether in preparing the lineup or regarding in-game strategy, have been questionable and have shown poor judgment and bad baseball instincts. The talent that the Yankees put on the field on an everyday basis has masked his ineffective managerial style. Now that the team is having issues with injuries and ineffectiveness, Boone’s ineptitude is being exposed and magnified. Again, the difference between Aaron Boone and Stump Merrill is a much more talented roster on the side of Boone.
Next Up –
Tuesday, the Yankees will open the first part of the 2024 Subway Series with the first game of a two-game series hosted by the Mets. The game will start at 7:10 PM at Citi Field. Gerrit Cole (0-0, 4.50 ERA) will face the Mets’ David Peterson, (3-0, 3.97 ERA).
