New York Yankees Baseball: Week Two (The Resurrection)
Last Week: (2-4) Things could’ve gone better to say the least. Gary went down, the bullpen blew a few leads, and Tanaka looked awful
Oh, but it appeared not only Jesus came back from the dead this week….
I honestly don’t know what’s happening. Seven wins a row, two sweeps, and pure dominance in all facets of the game of baseball. Did I think New York was better than their 2-4 opening week record? Sure, but now sitting at 8-4 and absolutely rolling, I can for sure say I didn’t this coming. Okay, let’s look back at how we got here
Stellar Starting Pitching
Listen, if the Yankees starting rotation continues to churn out starts like they did all last week, then we need to throw out our expectations of this squad. We started out with the home opener on Monday when Big Mike took a PERFECT GAME into the 7th inning. His stuff was on a completely different level and the Rays simply had no answer. His slider was disgusting all game, and his fastball appeared minutes ahead of batter’s swings.
Pineda took another big step in the right direction Sunday night when he threw another seven very solid innings against the Cardinals. After a bit of a rocky first two innings, Big Mike locked in and cruised to a comfortable victory. I’ll keep saying it, when his slider is on, and he has his fastball command, there are not many lineups, if any, that can challenge Pineda.
Our chosen one, Jordan Montgomery, made his major league debut on Wednesday and he was very, very solid. We saw that his stuff can get major league batters out consistently, despite not being overpowering per say. You can read my breakdown of the start here. He gets the ball tonight against Chicago when the Yanks go for win number eight in a row.
Sevy was absolutely stunning on Thursday night when he struck out ELEVEN batters over seven innings, surrendering just two runs en route to a 3-2 victory. This is why people get really excited when you hear Luis Severino’s name. He has ace-level stuff, but the consistency has yet to show up. I’m still a skeptic, but starts like that will force everyone to change their minds.
I’m Going To Say It, CC Sabathia Has Actually Figured It Out
He’s a completely different guy out there. The man had to reinvent himself to salvage what was left of his MLB career and my God he’s done it. By using his off speed pitches perfectly, while having pristine control, CC is baffling hitters to start the year.
I don’t think this a fluke anymore, but baseball has a funny way of flipping on it’s head. I’m going to stay positive for now because this man is pitching like the legit #2 guy we prayed he could be.
Tanaka Showed Signs Of Life
Was he perfect on Friday? No, a rough first inning capped off by a Matt Carpenter two run shot put the Yanks behind early. Fortunately for Tanaka, Starlin Castro knotted things up at two apiece in the following frame. From then on Tanaka really found himself and cruised until coming out in the 7th inning, hanging around long enough to earn the victory. This was the first time all year he looked like the ace that we know him as, after a rough first two starts. He was never someone I was actually worried about, but it was nice to see positive results finally.
The Pen Continues To Be Lights Out
We’re twelve games into the season and only half of the relievers have an ERA over zero. Not too bad huh? Chapman got himself into and out of trouble Friday night, but managed to get Dexter Fowler to ground out to second and seal the deal. Whether it’s been Holder, Warren, Clippard, Betances, or Chapman the pen has been, and will continue to be, the year-long strength of this team. Let’s take a quick look at that team from Queens after three straight losses from their own pen this weekend…
HA!
Crazy Stat Of The Week
Adam Warren is very close to joining a very cool group of pitchers called the Hidden Perfect Game Club. So far this year Warren has faced 20 batters and retired 20 batters. Dating back to last year, when he closed out the season retiring three straight men, the Yankees do-it-all middle reliever is now four batters away from retiring 27 consecutive batters. He would join these men as the only to do it as a reliever in baseball history. Pretty wild if you ask me.
The Bats Stayed Hot
Chase Headley is currently second in the AL in hitting, with an average of .410. I get it, we’re two weeks in let’s not get carried away here, but just remember how bad the month of April in 2016 treated Chase (.150 ZERO XBHs). Starlin Castro is absolutely locked in at the moment, as are Jacoby Ellsbury and Aaron Hicks. The lineup from top to bottom is producing, with even Austin Romine contributing in a big way (.368 in 19 at bats with a homer). We’re one week removed from Gary’s injury and all seems to be okay. Nobody change a thing from what they’ve been doing. Players, coaches, fans, bloggers, tweeters…
April 16, 2017 The Resurrection of Gregory Paul Bird
Luke 24
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Bird. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!
He’s back! Bird found himself Sunday night when he went 3-3 with this bomb and a walk. He looked relaxed at the plate and worked the count multiple times. After the game, while being interviewed by Buster Olney, Bird seemed like a man that just had a monkey lifted off his back, and rightfully so. I expect a full week of great at bats and a few bombs sprinkled in. It feels good to get our first baseman of the future back.
Your Weekly Aaron Judge Picture That Makes You Spit Out Your Drink
Greg Bird is 6’4″
Chase Headley Error Of The Week
This must be some mistake, but Chase Headley didn’t commit an error this week. Luckily for this segment of the blog, on Saturday Carlos Martinez made one of the worst throws I’ve ever seen on a baseball diamond.
Did Chris Carter Get A Hit This Week?
By some crazy star alignment in the galaxy Chris Carter is quietly on a four game hitting streak. Yeah, I’ve got nothing.
Football Guy Of The Week: Brett Gardner
MVP: Chase Headley
The Yankees third baseman collected FOUR multi hit games this week, raising his average to .410. He also didn’t commit an error! I have no problem giving Headley the MVP for the week.
Least Valuable Player (Object): Baseballs That Have To Face Aaron Judge
Looking Ahead:
New York will wrap up this home stand with a three game set against the White Sox. Montgomery gets the ball tonight against Derek Holland in his second big league start. Hopefully Jordan has a bit more control of his fastball and can work quicker with each batter, thus lasting longer in the game. With an off day coming up on Thursday, the Yanks will travel to Pittsburgh for a weekend interleague series against the Pirates. Let’s keep the momentum going folks.
Sup Haters
As always follow me on Twitter @ehubbs13