The Yankees have gotten off to an inauspicious beginning to the 2021 season. Is it an omen or a hiccup of what will follow?
The Yankees dropped the rubber game of their three-game set at Yankee Stadium to the Toronto Blue Jays by a competitive score of 3-1.
On the surface, so what? A three-game series does not make a season.
But when you add in a lack of consistent offense with a multitude of runners left on base, questionable defense is highlighted by Gleyber Torres’ play at shortstop and an already beleaguered bullpen – it might be time to take a time-out.
Yankees Go Off The Script
On paper, the Yankees are supposed to sweep through this thing, at least with a division win for lack of competition, and on to the playoffs and the World Series for the first time in twelve years.
And sometimes things have a way of taking over the moment despite the best efforts of the players on the field that day.
Gerrit Cole wishes only he could take back that one pitch to Teoscar Hernandez that landed for a decisive home run in otherwise can be counted as a brilliantly pitched start for the Yankees.
Ditto today when Domingo German threw two errant pitches to Randal Gruchek and Vladimir Geurreo Jr. that landed in the seats during his three-inning outing in his first start since 2019.
Surprise, surprise. Gary Sanchez is showing up and off to a good start with two bombs in three games. But behind him, where is the offense.
Giancarlo Stanton is a complete no-show, and Aaron Judge is – what? Does anyone know?
Clint Frazier is getting the message and is four for his first nine at-bats as the Yankees’ regular left fielder.
But Aaron Hicks is only 1-12 so far, with his signature walk total only at two. But then again, when have you ever seen a number three hitter paid and rated by his ability to get base-on-balls?
Fill that in with Gleyber Torres and his (at best) questionable play at shortstop, with DJ LeMahieu cemented in at second base where Torres appears most comfortable, which shapes out to be a long season for the Yankees up the middle.
Yankees: 3 Games Do Not Make A Season – But…
As we said before, three games do not make a season, but even at this stage, the upcoming three games against the Baltimore Orioles, who figure to be everyone’s patsy, are something to be watched.
The Yankees need something big against the O’s, especially because they’ll be played before a home crowd at Yankee Stadium – in addition to those pesky Tampa Bay Rays who are next on the Yankee’s schedule after the Orioles.
Following those games on the Yankees’ schedule are three more against the Blue Jays, followed by Tampa Bay again, and then the Atlanta Braves.
So, suffice to say, there is little time to straighten things out, lest the Yankees emerge from a first-half sleep to capture what should have been there all along.
Teams often take time to gel and come together. But the Yankees are a team put largely together with veteran players who should already have a melded clubhouse and support from the front office.
It’s early, the common refrain from fans and teams at this stage of a burgeoning season.
Yankees: It’s Always Nice To Lead The Charge
But as with runners competing in a quarter-mile dash to the finish, a head start at the sound of the gun is always better than looking ahead at those in front of you.
The Yankees are supposed to be the runner at the head of the pack – but it is there to secure because, as the Blue Jays proved – nothing in baseball for sure.
Here’s What Readers Are Saying…
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal.
