Andrew’s One Good and One Bad (Game 2)

Andrew’s One Good and One Bad

By Andrew Hefner

October 8, 2024

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The kindest way to describe last night would be that not much went right for the Yankees. From sloppy pitching, managing, defense, and offense, unlike Game 1, there are not too many positives to take away. Nevertheless, let’s look at one good and one bad from Game Two of the ALDS. 

The Good 

As mentioned, from the perspective of a fan, there didn’t seem like much to get excited about last night. There was sloppiness from both sides of the ball as well as a multitude of bad calls. Yet, inside the Yankees Stadium (I was at the game), fans stuck around and kept getting on their feet whenever just one player would get on base. The Yankees were excellent at setting up rallies last night, and once again at times showed some of their patience drawing five walks. The Yanks would also get seven hits, six of which were singles, which is not incredibly impressive, but the ball was still being put in play, and ducks were being put on the pond. The importance of baserunners is immeasurable as with just one swing it could have been a completely different ballgame. The Yanks got the guys on base, they just didn't bring them home. Hopefully, on the road, the Yankees will continue to be patient at the plate, work the counts, and get those all-important rallies going. 

The Bad 

Although the Yanks were good at getting guys on base, the same couldn’t be said for their ability to get said guys home. The Bombers combined to go 1-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded 8 throughout the game (note: during Game 1, eleven runners were stranded, and they went 2-13 with RISP). The struggle with base runners has been a constant problem for them and if runners can’t get home, the Yanks aren’t going to win the ballgame, it’s that simple.

The main issue with all this is that for much of the season, the heavy lifting was left for Soto and Judge to clean up the runners on base and drive them in. With Judge now having the highest strikeout percentage in MLB postseason history, and Soto being decent, just not squaring up the ball, the Yanks have not been able to score runs. There needs to be a major turnaround in their performances or someone needs to step up soon or the Yanks will continue to slide. This team is capable of stepping up when needed. There is talent there. Austin Wells and Giancarlo Stanton certainly have the power and poise to do what Judge and Soto have been doing all season. There is hope. On the road, the Yanks need to work on their performance with runners in scoring position if they want to win. 

Game 3 in KC will be a tough one. Clark Schmidt will be coming in off of a quality season, but he did battle with an injury. The Yankees need run support for him, so if they can continue to get guys on base and set up runners, at some point something will have to click (right?).