About Yesterday Afternoon: Yanks Get Drubbed By The Pirates, 9-4

By Andy Singer

September 29th, 2024

The Big Story

This was a forgettable game on many levels, but it was one with real playoff implications. Luis Gil again looked like a guy that was pitching without his best stuff. His fastball velocity was down, his breaking and off-speed stuff looked flat, and he just doesn't locate his pitches well enough to get by when his stuff isn't premium. In total, Gil scattered 6 hits and allowed 4 home runs to go along with 6 strikeouts. Far from his finest outing, Gil's last few starts will give the Yankees pause about how Gil will be used in the playoffs.

More disaster struck in the 7th, as Anthony Rizzo was struck in the hands by a slider that ran in on his hands. After the game, it was determined that Rizzo broke a couple of fingers, which will seriously hinder his ability to play in the playoffs. The Yankees already had some question marks at 1B; this won't help at all.

As far as the game itself was concerned, it was an ugly loss. The Yanks couldn't put anything together offensively to support Gil on a down day. The Yanks came into that 7th inning trailing 6-2, having scattered two runs on a Jazz Chisholm homer and a run that scored on a Stanton fielder's choice. The Yanks got runners on 1st and 2nd on a fielder's choice and an infield single by Dominguez (amazing how you can get on-base when you have some wheels). Juan Soto ripped a liner to right with 2 outs, and was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double to end the inning. The Yanks got just one run out of the scoring opportunity and left Judge in the on-deck circle with the bat in his hand. This happens far too often.

From there, the game got blown open when Will Warren entered in the 9th, and the Yanks went down with a whimper. We can only hope they give us something to feel good about Friday heading into the playoffs.

Notable Performances

Luis GIl (L) - 5.2 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, 5 K, 1 BB, 4 HR

Paul Skenes - 2 IP, 0 H, 3 K

Mike Burrows (W) - 3.1 IP, 1 ER

Clayton Beeter - 1.1 IP, 3 K

Jazz Chisholm - 2-4, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Jasson Dominguez - 1-4, 1 BB

Juan Soto - 1-3, 2 BB, 1 RBI

Better To Forget

Aaron Judge - 0-5, 5 K...ouch

Giancarlo Stanton - 0-4, 1 K

Rizzo's broken fingers...

My Take

This was a meaningless game with very real implications for the Yankees' hopes for October. Rizzo hasn't been good at the plate since returning, but he has been fantastic defensively at 1B. Now, the Yankees likely will have to play either without Rizzo or with a further diminished version of Rizzo. I had mentioned to someone in passing on Friday night that I actually think Oswaldo Cabrera is the Yankees' best option at 1B. Sadly, it looks like I might get the opportunity to be proven right or wrong. Aaron Boone mentioned the possibility of calling up Ben Rice, and while it's fine to have him around as a lefty bat off the bench, I don't trust him defensively in the playoffs.

Additionally, Luis Gil has struggled multiple times in the last month and a half. I am really beginning to wonder if he's one of the Yankees' 3-4 best starters in the playoffs. Maybe a rest in the Wild Card round will help, but I have real concerns about Gil. Given the velocity and stuff drop, I think it's clear that the workload is catching up to him.

This game depressed me for more reason than one; I really hope they can give me reason to believe Sunday.

Looking To Today

It's the last game of the regular season! Clarke Schmidt gets the ball to put a good taste in all of our mouths prior to the playoffs. Game time is 3:05 EST.