About Yesterday: Yankees 2 Cubs 0

By Mike Whiteman September 8, 2024 Happy Birthday to Gerrit Cole! The reigning American League Cy Young award winner is 57-26, 3.13 ERA, in Pinstripes. His 151-78, 3.18 lifetime record, 130 ERA+, 42 career WAR, 2023 Cy Young award and five additional top-five Cy Young voting results put him on the road for eventual Hall of Fame enshrinement .

On this day in 1978, the Yankees whipped the Boston Red Sox, 13-2. This win in the second game of the series came after a 15-3 opening romp. The Yanks would take the last two games to complete the sweep, and move into a tie for first after being 14 games out in July. This series would go on to be known as the "Boston Massacre", and as we all know the Yankees went on to the take the American League East division title after the epic one-game playoff in game 163. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS197809080.shtml Quick Stats: The Yankees are 82-60 on the season, and are in first place in the AL East, a half game ahead of Baltimore. Clarke Schmidt's ERA dropped to 2.34. Nestor Cortes was the winning pitcher and is 9-10, 3.97 on the season. Big Story: Welcome back Clarke Schmidt! Making his first start since May 26 the right-hander was very effective, throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings, leaving the game after allowing a two-out triple in the fifth. It was a tight game, as the Yanks had only pushed a single run across, when Austin Wells drove Gleyber Torres in with a groundout in the first inning.

As advertised, Aaron Boone turned to Nestor Cortes, with the intention that he would go long. Nestor got out of the fifth without any damage and cruised the rest of the way, his only blemish being a sixth inning walk to Seiya Suzuki. The Yanks would need a well-pitched game as the only other run scored was in the sixth when Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisolm pulled off a double steal, and Judge continued home when catcher Christian Bethancourt threw the ball into left field.

The wind blowing from left to right field seemed to play havoc with the hitting, as both Judge and Giancarlo Stanton ripped balls to the wall that may have been home runs on more tranquil days. Yankees 2, Cubs 0. Yankees win! Notable Performances: The Yankees have the best road record in baseball at 45-29....Yankee pitching has allowed Chicago only five hits over two games....Wells threw out two runners attempting to steal, including the speedy Pete Crow-Armstrong, who came into the day with 26 steals and caught only once. Kudos to Schmidt and his work holding the runners.

Better to Forget: Giancarlo Stanton was hitless in four at bats, the fourth straight game he's gone without a hit. They Said It: "Listen, l'm going to do whatever it takes to get a win for this team " - Nester Cortes commenting on his role on the Yankee pitching staff. My Take: There's nothing quite like important games in September. Three day games in a row at Wrigley Field are awesome. Fun, fun, baseball. Both Schmidt and Cortes looked great, and stymied a Cubs team that has played well - and swung the bats well - of late. Marcus Stroman certainly looks like the odd man out for a playoff rotation at this point in time. In the ninth inning, Clay Holmes appeared to be loosening up. Not sure if that was his initiative or was told to do so. Interestingly, a little later, Luke Weaver was warming up, seemingly preparing to go in should Cortes falter. Is Weaver now the closer? If it were me, I'd sure consider closing with Weaver until he proved me wrong. Weaver seems to have the mindset for the closer job. Does his talent "play" in the role? I loved watching the double steal, a real "baseball play" that added a valuable run. I also love the fact that Judge can steal a base, but I'll admit that I hold my breath every time I see him sliding into the bag, hoping he doesn't get hurt. The return of Gill and Schmidt make this is about as close to "whole" as this team has been this season. With 20 games left, and the team in first place, it's time to get it done. No excuses. Let's go Yankees! Next Up: Go for the sweep! Birthday boy Gerrit Cole (6-3, 3.65) takes the mound against old friend Jameson Taillon (9-8, 3.66) at 2:20.