by Paul Semendinger
October 7, 2024
***
Game One was not overly fun to watch as the Yankees made it far too close. What follows are some of my thoughts from the game.
There were times when it seemed as though the Yankees would be able to put the game away - and they never did. One has to hope that much of that was rust from the week off.
The schedule, having two days off in a five game series, was poorly planned by Major League Baseball. Baseball is an every day sport. There are too many off days in the post season.
The Yankees went 2-13 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base. That's a bad sign. If that trend continues, it will be very difficult for the Yankees to advance in the playoffs. They need to do better in big spots. Game One should not have been close. The Yankees' inability to get big hits made it close.
BUT, when a team wins a game it could have or should have lost, that is a good sign! I have every confidence that Aaron Judge 's bat will come around. He's too great for it not to. But...
Aaron Judge didn't look great. I hope that game puts to bed the ridiculous notion that he needed to take off the last Friday of the regular season in oder to be well-rested for the playoffs. When I offered ctiticism for Judge sitting when a host of milestones were within reach, many said, "He needs to rest for the playoffs." Well, whatever the rest did, it did him no good, ot at least it didn't help. The idea that Judge, with a week off coming in just a few days, needed to sit that Friday was just silly.
I was very impressed with Gleyber Torres in Game One. He had a big game. I hope Torres has a huge post season, but I don't think he will (or should be) a Yankee in 2025.
Giancarlo Stanton will be a Yankee in 2025 because I do not see any team taking his big contract, but, at this point, his inability to run hurts the Yankees more than the threat of his bat might help. I would play Jasson Dominguez as the DH in Game Two.
On the SSTN Podcast last week, I noted that I would start Alex Verdugo over Dominguez in left field. I like Verdugo's glove, if nothing else. Verdugo's play on both sides of the ball In Game One made me look smart.
Luke Weaver was a monster as the closer. Now, before we annoint him a superstar or the greatest ever, I'd rather see this time and again. Still, he was awesome in Game One. He showed nerves of steel along with a great fastball - and great command.
I remember a kid named Mariano Rivera who pitched great in a playoff series before he attained greatness. I am not, not, not in any way, predicting that for Weaver, but if he can pitch that well throughout the playoffs, the Yankees are in great hands. If he does that, the Yankees will also go into 2025 with the hopes that they might, just might, have their closer.
I hate the "contact play" when the runner on third darts for home as soon as the batter makes contact. It seems to never work for the Yankees. I wish they'd scrap that play immediately.
Oswaldo Cabrera played an excellent defensive first base. I'd start him again.
I don't love playing players out of position, but Jazz Chisholm seems to be adept at third base. I was wrong about him playing there. He gets the job done. He has quick reflexes. He has a gun for an arm. I'd pencil him in as my third baseman for 2025 at this point.
By the way, on that stolen base attempt, the umps and the replay umps got it wrong. He was out. It was as clear as day.
It wasn't pretty, but a win by any other name is still a win. A win is a win is a win. I don't think I'll ever see a thing as pretty as a win. You get the idea. Bottom line - the Yankees started the playoffs with a win. There were times when it seemed they would give that first game away. They didn't - and that might make all the difference. A win tonight and the Yankees are in great shape for Round One of this process.
I hope the Yankees make quick work of the Royals tonight. 15 first inning runs will allow me to enjoy the game more. I don't need the angst of a close game.
Let's Go Yankees!
Verdugo was an excellent choice. As I also mentioned to you in one of the other threads today (pardon my repetition), Verdugo is one of those players who excel in post season games. He hit very well when he went to the post season that one time with the Red Sox when he logged 11 playoff games with the Red Sox in 2021, including a 3-RBI performance in Boston's AL Wild Card Game win over the Yankees. He also performed well in Boston's series again…
What I personally don't like about that is that the OTHER team's ace gets an extra day of rest that way, and could end up making another start in a short series that they would not have been able to do if the games were played more consecutively.
"I would play Jasson Dominguez as the DH in Game Two."
Against a lefty starter? Dominguez from his weaker side and Stanton sitting? As the knight in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade might say, "He chose poorly." I do run Verdugo out there because he's the best defender and Ragans has a .130 OPS reverse platoon split. Selected career results vs. Ragans: Verdugo 1-for-2; Stanton, 0-for-3, 2 Ks; Dominguez and Berti haven't faced him.
8 is enough
for a reassuring first inning
let's not get too greedy
we wouldn't want to appear to be poor hosts to visiting Royalty
If Jazz truly doesn't care where on the dirt he plays, that opens a whole slew of options for the Yankees in terms of trades, free agents, or giving kids a shot. Too bad Torres was anti 3B, considering Cashman kept his word to him about succeeding Didi at SS, and was kept there at least 2021 too long. But good for what he's done since being back in the leadoff spot, it will probably get him somewhere more than a one year deal (since he insists, at least here, that he is a 2B, sorry, I'm not even willing to entertain re-signing him).
Dennis Eckersley was a total unproven when moved to the pen in 1987, and was shot…