Guest Article from Michael Ruda / @DaTuna725 on Twitter

Here we go, Another Yankee fan piece filled with excuses and belly-aching about why the “Chase for 28” fell short.  Not from this guy.

The 2018 New York Yankees were built to win a championship. That’s the expectation of the franchise every year. Building off of the surprise early success of this new core of homegrown talent the 2017 Yankees fell just 1 game shy of reaching the World Series. Joe Girardi was shown the door in favor of a youthful/players manager in Aaron Boone, Mixed with seasoned veteran leadership from the likes of Brett Gardner and CC Sabathia, young rising stars in Aaron Judge, Luis Severino, Dellin Betances, Gary Sanchez ,and the offseason acquisition of the reigning NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton the sky was the limit for this 2018 club.

Greg Bird, another highly touted “Baby Bomber” (Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar being the others) disappeared. He was given every opportunity to hold down this first baseman job and hit a disgusting .199, eventually losing his job, and not even making the postseason roster.

So what exactly did the 2018 New York Yankees accomplish. Yes, they set a MLB record with 267 homeruns as a team. They had 12 players with 10 or more homeruns. An amazing feat. They won 100 games, No walk in the park. This season felt like a grind. Losing Aaron Judge for 8 weeks played a factor in the division race, but Brian Cashman put all the pieces in place at and after trade deadline. Acquiring J.A. Happ, Zach Britton, and Andrew McCutchen to fill in the holes this team had and ensure that injury would have minimal effect on what we were expected to accomplish.

Ultimately 2018’s expectations beat the 2018 New York Yankees. Yes, the Red Sox had an amazing regular season season winning 108 games, but were ripe for the pickin’ in the ALDS. A shaky Red Sox bullpen, a gem by Masahiro Tanaka,Tying the series heading home for games 2 and 3 should’ve meant another trip to the ALCS. Luis Severino was not the ace we needed in that spot, and didn’t look right in the second half of the season. Again expectations too high, too soon. We need to remember that this team WILL eventually win the World Series. This core of talent will lead us to many years of success and post season moments as the likes of Jeter, Pettitte, Rivera,Posada, and Bernie did. They need to learn how to handle the pressure. This year was that lesson.

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Aaron Boone, Aaron Judge, Andrew McCutchen, CC Sabathia, Dellin Betances, Gary Sanchez, Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres, Greg Bird, JA Happ, Joe Girardi, Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, Miguel Andujar, Yankees

One of the best times of the year is upon us, Opening Day! It's been a long and relatively quiet winter for the New York Yankees. That can be seen as a blessing or a curse depending on who you ask. No major free agent additions as we've seen in years past but some notable trades made the team stronger. Again, depending on who you ask, the additions of Starlin Castro from the Cubs and Aroldis Chapman from the Reds can be seen as a negative.

I expect the same sort of reaction when trying to predict what the Yankees will give us in 2016. They can be really really good or really really bad. Personally, I don't know what to expect. I can see it be as good as the first four months of the 2015 season where they were cruising to an 7 game lead on the July 31 trade deadline or I can see the lifeless group that gave up the last two months. Many analysts and experts are saying much of the same.

The Good:

Everyone plays to the back of their baseball cards. Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner get on base, steal the next and score a batter or two later. Mark Teixeira continues from where he left off in midst of a MVP caliber season. Alex Rodriguez proves that last season was no fluke and he can hit another 30 Home Runs and drive in 90-100 RBIs. Carlos Beltran provides the clutch hitting and productivity he was carrying the Yankees with in August and September. Brian McCann continues to be one of the best hitting catchers in the game. After a shaky first season in pinstripes, he rebounded well for '15 and was consistent threat in the middle of the lineup. Something that will be asked of him once again in '16. Chase Headley figures out what went wrong last year and does the exact opposite. His defense was the real eye opener last season, by far the worst of his career. Better defense should be on the menu, with that better approaches to the plate in the batters box and better results. Starlin Castro is the stud the Yankees think he is and adds stability to a second base position that has been struggling since Robinson Cano left for Seattle. Didi Gregorius showed he was a force at the bottom of the lineup and at shortstop once he made some adjustments to his game during the year. Him and Starlin provide a new youthful dynamic double play combo that should excite Yankee fans everywhere.

The rotation of Masahiro Tanaka , Luis Severino, Michael Pineda, Nathan Eovaldi , and CC Sabathia can be the absolute best in baseball. Yes, in baseball! Tanaka goes out and pitches like the ace he was in the first season he was here before he injured his elbow, not many people are going to touch his stuff. Sevy has the ability to be just as electric, if not more. At 21, he seems ready to be a power arm reliable of handling the ball in big situations. Big Mike much like Sevy has electric stuff. Mothers Day last year he struck out 16 and for a period of time he was untouchable and was the ace of the staff. With not of the "ace" burden on his shoulders he can go out and just pitch. When he does, oh boy it's a site to see. Nasty Nate dazzled in first year in the Bronx winning 14 games before his injury. His stuff is filthy and is the hardest thrower in the rotation. If he can bring that same poise he had last season into 2016, expect a big year.  Sabathia is the 5th starter and just needs to be a reliable get me to the 6th inning kind of pitcher. His best days are behind him but he can contribute and he had a solid September after getting a knee brace to help him stabilize his delivery.

The three headed monster at the end of the bullpen with Chapman, Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances will leave everyone in awe in what they're witnessing. 100 strikeouts by each, dominance across the board and they will lead the Yanks into the postseason with a great chance of winning.

The Bad:

You saw what happened in August and September last year. That could very well end up being the 2016 Yankees. Injuries and old age finally catch up and it'll be a long season in the Bronx. Every night was so frustrating to watch those final two months. The Yankees are putting a lot of stock into a lot of question marks, we can only hope that this isn't the case.

Final Prediction:

92-70 1st place in the American League East and a trip to the ALCS.

OR

83-79 3rd place in the American League East.

My gut leans to the latter.

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, Brett Gardner, Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran, CC Sabathia, Dellin Betances, Jacoby Ellsbury, Luis Severino, Mark Teixeira, Michael Pineda, Starlin Castro

The Yankees made a HUGE splash by trading for flamethrower Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds for four minor leaguers. By doing so, they didn't trade any of their main prospects or part with any major league talent. This was a move I'm in favor of for so many reasons. Some of them I just listed but I'll explain why this is a win-win for the Bombers.

The addition of Chapman now gives the Yankees the best 1-2-3 punch in baseball...by far. If they all play up to their caliber, this season will be very special in the Bronx. This end of the bullpen gives the starting rotation some wiggle room and takes some pressure off their shoulders. With an already question filled rotation with each of the five starters, all that's going to be asked is to get 5-6 solid innings on any given night. The three headed monster awaits at the end of games. Now the bridge to the trio needs to worked out by manager Joe Girardi but honestly, will it be that much of an important role? The answer is yes, but the pressure to be an Adam Warren 2-3 inning guy won't be there. An inning of solid relief is all the Yanks need , ala Chasen Shreve pre- August 2015.

The pending suspension of Chapman can very much work in the Yankees favor. Should Chapman be suspended more than 45 games, he forfeits his rights to be a Free Agent at the end of the 2016 season, which then gives the Yankees control of Chapman for another season.

“We felt this was an opportunity to add a big arm to our bullpen, even though there are some things that are unresolved,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said after the trade.

If this does end up being the case, then it gives the Yankees time during his suspension to figure roles and lets Girardi see who has what coming out of his bullpen. Who's reliable, who's going to implode. That way once Chapman returns, everyone can settle into their roles and hopefully we see a simple formula, starter goes 6, Bridge, then ANY combination of the trio can be used to mix and match for the rest of the game.

Dellin Betances will get less work this season and get a chance to rest an arm that was overtaxed the last two seasons. Last year Betances' stuff wasn't as sharp going down the stretch. Andrew Miller can pitch multiple innings much like he did with Balitmore and Boston the year before he won the Yankees closer's job. It's very possible we could see the trio of Betances, Miller and Chapman for FIVE innings on any given day. That's how lethal this group can be.

Chapman gives the Yankees the top three relievers by strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings in the majors. Miller had 36 saves in his first year with New York and Betances made his second straight All-Star team as the setup man. After defecting from Cuba in 2009, Chapman spent the past six seasons with the Reds and saved 146 games in 164 chances. He had a 1.63 ERA this year, when he struck out 116 in 66 1-3 innings. Betances struck out a league-best 131 and Miller fanned 100.

Big things are ahead for the Yankees this season. Of course the excitement for the flamethrowing trio could all be for naught if the offense can hit and score runs, but that's a story for a different day. For now lets enjoy the big move the Yankees just made and picture how this could look come October 2016 under the lights at Yankee Stadium for the World Series :)

This post is sponsored by Stan's Sports World. Order now and recieve FREE SHIPPING!

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Adam Warren, Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, Brian Cashman, Chasen Shreve, Dellin Betances, Joe Girardi

On Tuesday night the Yankees made their first big move of the offseason. They sent pitcher Adam Warren and infielder Brendan Ryan to the Chicago Cubs for Second Baseman/Shortstop Starlin Castro. This is a good move for both sides and gives the Yankees another young solid infielder. Gone are the days of overpriced aging players. I love this!

There are many things to like about this. But first lets say goodbye to Adam Warren. He was the most consistent pitcher the Yankees had and most reliable in 2015. Wherever they put him, he was dependable. In the rotation or in the bullpen, he was good. He always gave the Yankees just what they needed that day and there's a lot of value in that, especially with a team full of question marks. Warren seemed to fit the role of 4th or 5th starter just fine but he was pushed to the bullpen after 17 starts in '15 because Ivan Nova came back from Tommy John surgery. Warren then filled the gap from starter to the trio of Justin Wilson-Dellin Betances- and Andrew Miller. THAT role he filled proved to be so vital because once he was inserted back in the rotation late in the season, his absence in the bullpen was felt. Manager Joe Girardi tried replacing Warren's absence with kid after kid from the minors in BIG spots. They rarely delivered. It ended up costing them the division. Warren now joins a World Series contender and probably one of the best rotations in the National League.

With Castro, the Yankees get a 25 year old 2B/SS with 6 years of major league experience. He hit just .237 through the end of July, but hit .335 in the final two months. For the Yanks, he fits the profile of their recent targets as a young, cost-controlled player in a buy-low opportunity. Castro is signed through 2019 with a team option for 2020. He has $38 million guaranteed left on his contract. The idea of him and Didi Gregorious as the Yankees new double play combo lights up my eyes and gets me excited to see what they can do

“You could be greedy (at second base),” manager Joe Girardi said at today’s Winter Meetings before news of the Castro trade went public. “You look for outstanding defense and offensive production. I mean, that’s the greedy part of it; that you can get a lot of production, too, offensively."

 The move gets the Yankees younger, cheaper and hungrier. GM Brian Cashman went on the Michael Kay Show last week and said he was focusing on acquiring players through trades as opposed to signing the usual big free agent contract. Today we see that Cashman and company have a plan they're sticking to. The Yankees are getting younger and more athletic....and I'm ok with that. Good job!

This post is presented by Stan's Sports World. Order online now and receive FREE SHIPPING!

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Adam Warren, Andrew Miller, Chicago Cubs, Dellin Betances, Didi Gregorius, Joe Girardi, Justin Wilson, Starlin Castro, Yankees

It's been two weeks since the Yankees were eliminated at the hands of the Houston Astros in the Wild Card Playoff game and it still hurts.

This Yankee team that no one gave a shot at winning before the season started far exceeded expectations. By the end of July it looked like the Yanks would coast into October, except three things happened that derailed the entire season. Mark Teixeria went down with a season ending injury hurting the offense. Nathan Eovaldi ultimately went down for the remainder of the season hurting the starting rotation and the bullpen. The Yankees got old very quickly.

Teixeria was on his way to a 40 home run 115 RBI season when he fouled a ball off his shin and fractured his shin. Eovaldi was 14-2 and on his way to 200 innings when he went down with a forearm strain and he threw the balance of the pitching off its rocker. It put trusted pitcher Adam Warren back into the rotation, which was ok because he excelled during his stint in the rotation earlier in the year BUT it left a gapping hole in the bullpen. The 2-3 innings Warren would solidify in case a game was close or within reach now went to young inexperienced kids and boy did the Yankees pay for having to go that route. The Yanks lost countless games down the stretch because their starters just couldn't give them enough length. When they did, the offense was non-existent causing there to be more pressure on the lineup to produce. This formula was the demise of the 2015 Yankees.

So much could be said of how manager Joe Girardi handled the bullpen down the stretch in the final month and a half of the season but the REAL cause for concern is the lineup. The lineup that produced 20 runs in Atlanta, two potential Comeback Players of the Year in Teixeria and Alex Rodriguez, the future first baseman in Greg Bird, and a 7 game lead in the A.L. East on July 29th could only muster up 3 hits against the Astros. They went 1-7 in the final 8 games of the overall season. Pitiful, pathetic and embarrassing.

I'm not sure where the Yankees go from here but the answer to me is crystal clear. Get younger, get hungry, get rid of the old. Look around the MLB LCS's going on. All young teams going around. Out are the days of the high priced payrolls, In are the young and hungry want to make a name of themselves kinda players. This is what the Yankees should be aiming for. The new core is ready to be unleashed, Bird, Luis Severino, Rob Refsynder, Aaron Judge, Dellin Betances are just some of the homegrown talent waiting to make this THEIR team. I'd say make this happen sooner rather than later.




This Post is brought to you by Stans Sports World. Order ONLINE today and recieve FREE SHIPPING!

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Aaron Judge, Adam Warren, Alex Rodriguez, Dellin Betances, Greg Bird, Joe Girardi, Luis Severino, Mark Teixeira, Nathan Eovaldi, Rob Refsnyder, Yankees

The Yankees are in! Postseason baseball returns to the Bronx for the first time since 2012. It's been a hell of a roller coaster since then, as the Yanks said goodbye to some iconic players. Mariano Rivera in 2013 and Derek Jeter in 2014. They almost said goodbye to Alex Rodriguez for good both years but in 2015 he found the fountain of youth and became a clutch everyday 30 home run hitter. Now with a new group of players, the Bombers find their way to Tuesday night's Wild Card game at Yankee Stadium.

This team by NOOO means is going into the Postseason with any momentum or anything that makes you believe they will get far this October. They finished 3 games behind where I thought they would.  But I did predict the Yanks would get into October by making the Wild Card. I wasn't too off with my other predictions on how our main players would finish.

THIS Yankee team that takes the field on Tuesday will have more question marks going into that ONE game than it did going into the season. How does Masahiro Tanaka pitch with the season on the line? Who starts at second base? Who's Joe Girardi bringing into the game from the bullpen? How can Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury get out of their second half funk? How much more does Alex Rodriguez have left in the tank? There's more but you get the point. I'm really worried about this team and I'm afraid I know what fate awaits us on Tuesday night.

The Yanks will play the Houston Astros to determine who goes on to play the defending American League Champion Kansas City Royals in the ALDS. It was the one team I didn't want them to face because of their ace Dallas Keuchel. He's shut the Yankees down everytime he's face them and he neutralizes the lefty bats in the lineup, especially at Yankee Stadium, something we don't need in this sudden death situation. Any lefty getting thrown at the Yankees will be successful. Girardi has admitted such this past week.

To be honest, ANYONE taking the mound would've been successful against the Yanks this past week. A week that saw them go 1-6 needing to win only TWO games to clinch the Wild Card and Home Field Advantage in that sudden death game. A week that saw Girardi make some of the most baffling moves of his tenure here in the Bronx. That is what scares me as a fan.

Now to the positive. Last year saw BOTH Wild Card winners catch fire and go to the World Series. There's not reason to think the Yankees can't do the same. The One Game Playoff has proven to be the momentum swing that every team looks for come this time of the year. Tanaka gets the ball and I believe he can be the $175 million ace. I believe the bats of A-Rod, Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran still have a little magic left in them. I believe that Girardi can bring in Justin Wilson, Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller in the late innings and secure a victory. I've seen it so many times this year. Why not again Tuesday night to an Astros team that is young, inexperienced in a big stage and is worn down. It can happen.

The 2000 Yankees stumbled into the Postseason losing 15 of their last 18 games and they went on to win the World Series for the 3rd year in a row. Not saying we're winning the World Series.....yet, but I am saying anything can happen to change the misfortunes of the present and turn them into a steamrolling truck all the way to the end. I'm just happy we have Postseason baseball back in the Bronx. It belongs here.

Prediction: Yankees lose due lack of urgency in the lineup and they're not able to get the "big hit" when they need it. It'll be close, but after 2-3 missed opportunities, it's time to pack up and head home.




Article is brought to you by Stans Sports World. Order online today, FREE SHIPPING!

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Andrew Miller, Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran, Dellin Betances, Derek Jeter, Houston Astros, Joe Girardi, Justin Wilson, Mariano Rivera, New Yankee Stadium, QUITE FRANKLY

I was going to post during the Toronto series but the rain out and god awful play of the Yankees delayed that until I had a better understanding of where they stood in terms of the playoff picture. I wanted to post yesterday after Monday night's amazing comeback but it seems after last night's loss, the Yankees are destined for the Wild Card.

Last night was a missed opportunity to gain ground on the Toronto Blue Jays when they lost to the Atlanta Braves in the bottom of the 9th inning. The Braves are one of the worst teams in baseball and for them to beat one of the best teams in baseball was a gift. A gift they might get again. So the Yankees blew a 3-2 lead and lost 6-3 and stayed 3 games out of first.

“It’s tough,” Joe Girardi said after watching his team blow a 3-2 lead in the sixth. “It’s tough that we’re not able to hold them down.”

The reasoning for the Wild Card over the Divsion is simple. Last night was the prime example of why the Yankees are in trouble. The Yankees that played like one of the best in baseball in June and July would've had Nathan Eovaldi on the hill and his 14-2 record. In the 5th when the Yanks went to the bullpen, Joe Girardi would've summoned Adam Warren to bridge the gap to Justin Wilson and Dellin Betances but with the injury to Eovaldi, that wasn't possible. We got Warren going 4 innings then went to young inexperienced relievers to hold a one run lead. That didn't go too well as Nick Rumbelow gave up a two run homerun to Nick Franklin who's batting .133 (!!) on the season.

“They’ve come up all year and done a pretty good job,” Girardi said. “It’s a lot to ask of them, but we think they’re capable of doing the job and we need it.”

Now with the opportunity missed, the Yankees don't gain ground and are just as close to losing that top Wild Card spot as they are overtaking Toronto. By this time next week we will have a better idea where the Bombers stand but I don't think it'll be good news. This team relies too much on the long ball. Their top two hitters Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner are the spark plugs, but they don't steal bases like they're supposed to. Ellsbury is batting .250 on the season and in the middle of an 0 for 28,29, 30 slump. That's very alarming. The offense goes into spurts of knocking the cover off the ball but it hasn't happened much since the beginning of August. This team is talented and have the tools to win it all but I feel with the injuries to Eovaldi and Mark Texieria, it may be too much to overcome. You lose your best pitcher and most productive hitter in the lineup. That kind of loss will eventually catch up to you.

I certainly can see the Yankees turning it around within the blink of an eye. I thought that was the case after Monday night's comeback but after what I saw last night, it's back to the same old story we saw this weekend against the Blue Jays. The Yanks aren't ready and they're just not as good as the Jays. It may be too late for the Yanks to turn it around, but then again..who says the Wild Card is a bad thing. It may be the best thing that happens to the Yankees.

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Adam Warren, Atlanta Braves, Brett Gardner, Dellin Betances, Jacoby Ellsbury, Justin Wilson, Nathan Eovaldi, Toronto Blue Jays, Yankees

This was a TERRIBLE series for the Yankees. They dropped 2 of 3 to the Baltimore Orioles, who came in losers in 15 of their last 18 games. What made it worst was the two losses came on 8th and 9th inning home runs in tied games!

Dellin Betances is the 8th inning guy in a tie game but manager Joe Girardi decided not to use him or closer Andrew Miller because they pitched two days in a row. Ok, I get it but maybe just maybe ONE of those two guys could've pitched three days in a row? Both losses were very very winnable games but they lost because there was NOOO offense whatsoever!

Tuesday night the Yankees lost because they scored just ONE run. Tonight they lost because Stephen Drew's glove had some cement in it and couldn't receive the ball. It's very troubling that the offense has had its spurts where it goes completely awol and other times they hit everything in site. You can't have this kind of inconsistency in October, especially in a one game wild card playoff.

The Yankees have time to right the ship as the Blue Jays come in for a HUGE four game series at the Stadium. This will be the biggest series in the past three seasons and I expect Yankee Stadium to be rockin'. The battle for first place is on the line and the Jays just wont go away. Playoff atmosphere in the Bronx, I cant wait..but if they play like they have the last two nights say goodbye to those October hopes.

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: Andrew Miller, Balitmore Orioles, Dellin Betances, Joe Girardi, Toronto Blue Jays, Yankee Stadium

The Yankees blew a huge game on Thursday afternoon and I'm not so sure we can blame the offense for this one. I have to place blame on Joe Girardi. I have to second guess a move he made last night that impacted today's loss.

Last night while everyone focused on the 8 runs and 9 straight hits in the 3rd inning off of David Price, I was left scratching my head as Girardi elected to bring in Dellin Betances with the score 8-3 in the 9th. Now, Betances had the previous 3 days off so he was well rested BUT why bring him in when you might need him the following day for multiple innings or in successive days? The Yankees are at a point where every game is crucial, especially Thursday's game with the Detroit Tigers, a team that's in front of them in the Wild Card race. I knew the move would come back to bite the Yankees today, I just knew it.

With the score tied at 2, going into the bottom of the 9th inning, Girardi could've gone with Betances for another inning OR his closer David Robertson who hasn't pitched since Sunday. Joe did neither and went with Shawn Kelley. While good at times, he's not the guy I want out there with the game and "season" on the line. If Betances doesn't pitch last night, he easily stays in for the 9th. Ok, so he didn't, but why not bring in your most trusted guy in the bullpen to a game you NEEDED to win? Robertson is well rested and you could've used him for 2 innings if need be. If you're in the 11th and then need to use your second tier relievers, then do so, but use your "A" squad when you have so much at stake.

 Girardi said it “wasn’t a consideration” to use Dellin Betances for two innings tonight, and he indicated that it had nothing to do with using Betances last night. “You feel good about (Kelley) on the mound, especially the way he’s been throwing the baseball,” Girardi said. Kelley’s past five games leading into this one: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

Kelley gives up a double to Victor Martinez to lead off the 9th. He allows another runner to get on base and proceeds to strike the next two guys out. And after all that hard work and maneuvering and strategy, on one pitch, the game, the series, and ANY positive momentum the Yanks could've had is all GONE. When a team has lost two of three in a tight wild card race, a one-run loss feels like rock bottom.

“That’s about as bad as I’ve felt walking off a mound in my career,” Shawn Kelley said. 

I'm emphasizing a lot tonight because that was how important this game and series was. Giradi mismanaged this one, a time he could ill afford to do so. So the Yanks leave town dropping a game in the Wild Card instead of gaining one. The Yanks head into Toronto answering questions of "what now" and "what ifs" instead of keeping the focus on the positive momentum they had to begin the week. The window is closing on the 2014 season and there is very little room for error. On Thursday afternoon, Brian McCann came within inches of hitting his 2nd go-ahead 3-run homerun of the week and putting the Yankees ahead for good, but almost doesn't count because Giradi failed in planning for a win.

Read more »

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

0 Comments

Tags: David Robertson, Dellin Betances, Joe Girardi, Shawn Kelley, Yankees