NFL
By Billy Lewis:
The New York Yankees enter the stretch run of the 2024 season a half-game behind the Orioles for the AL East lead. The Yankees can thank their hot start to the season for putting them near the top of the AL East. In 81 games since June 1, the Yankees are 40-41.
This includes losing their last three series against the Nationals, Cardinals, and Rangers. In all three series, the Yankees won the first game, just to lose the next two. The second game against the Rangers was a true gut punch.
Carlos Rodon was brilliant for the Yankees, and after falling down 1-0 early, they were able to come back to take a 3-1 lead in the seventh inning. They handed closer Clay Holmes a 4-3 lead, and Holmes would walk off the mound after giving up a game-winning grand slam to Wyatt Langford.
The punch was felt throughout Wednesday’s game as the Yankees went down 10-2 going into the ninth. They made it interesting to their credit when Trent Grisham hit a grand slam, cutting the deficit to four. The final out was a bullet off the bat of Giancarlo Stanton. After hitting a walk-off home run the night before, Langford robbed Stanton of a three-run home run.
New York Yankees Opportunity for Strong Finish
The Yankees head into the final 22 games of the regular season with a three-game stint in Wrigley Field against the Cubs. They’ll also be getting reinforcements back to their starting rotation. Both Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt will take the mound in Wrigley.
The biggest question that has to be answered is how the Yankees will use their bullpen. Holmes currently leads Major League Baseball in blown saves with 11. After his most recent blown save in Texas, Aaron Boone said how they might have to get creative when it comes to late game situations.
Boone said the Yankees will get “creative” with the closer role in the short term. He said Holmes could still be in the mix. I don’t think Boone wants to publicly say Holmes has lost his job, even temporarily. Expect the Yankees to go with matchups for foreseeable future.
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) September 4, 2024
Another question fans want answered, will we see Jason Dominguez again this season? Cashman and company claim there is no lane for Dominguez, but that just feels asinine. Yes, it would be foolish to call up Dominguez and not play him. However, the reliance on Alex Verdugo may also be foolish.
According to Fangraphs Verdugo has an 84 wRC+ (average wRC+ is 100) which is the eighth worst in baseball. Though he missed a couple of months with an oblique injury, Dominguez has been on a tear lately. One would think the Yankees’ best outfield would be Dominguez-Judge-Soto, but only time will tell if we will have a chance to see it.
Aaron Boone loves to say “It’s all right in front of us.” Well they have 22 games to put up or shut up and see if they can clinch the AL East.
