The Yankees hit well, pitched well, and defended well on Friday giving a glimpse of their champion caliber against the Orioles. The team’s comprehensive 8-3 victory was a showcase of what they are capable of and what the fans were missing from the Bombers’ historical aura that won 27 championships.
The might of Aaron Judge shines through as a three-hit performance with a massive homer instills hope among the Yankees fanbase. While he led from the front, the entire team pitched in to secure the crucial win. Clarke Schmidt maintained the right tempo. Yankees manager Aaron Boone couldn’t help but feel delighted after his team bombed out the first-place Orioles, saying, “That’s the way it’s meant to be.”
Yankees bombed out Orioles
There was a sense of urgency in the Yankees’ demeanor on Saturday night. Schmidt, the winning pitcher, stated that they played with a chip on their shoulder.
Giancarlo Stanton and Kyle Higashioka both launched solo home runs, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa delivered a crucial, bases-clearing double after an impressive at-bat. The Yankees rebounded effectively from Friday night’s 1-0 defeat.
In front of the traveling fans at Camden Yards on Saturday, Aaron Judge provided exactly what they hoped for, crushing his first home run in his second game after returning from the injured list. The two-run blast in the third inning soared approximately 442 feet to center field.
With Schmidt’s gutsy five-inning performance, along with solid relief work from Ian Hamilton, the Yankees (55-49) put themselves in a favorable position to win the weekend series against Baltimore (63-41). The upcoming week will see Boone’s team facing the Rays and Astros at home in the Bronx.
Aaron Judge exploded with elan
With Aaron Judge’s home run, the Yankees took a 3-2 lead, setting the tone for the rest of the evening.
Kiner-Falefa commented on Aaron Judge’s impact, mentioning that he understands why the Yankees slugger is valued highly and called the captain for a reason. He also pointed out how Aaron Judge’s presence in the lineup brought a sense of calmness to the team.
During Aaron Judge’s absence of almost two months due to his right big toe injury, Kiner-Falefa noted that some players were struggling with their approach, trying to do too much by swinging too early. He shared how he managed to execute a crucial bases-clearing double after coming back from an 0-2 count.
Kiner-Falefa expressed that the bases-clearing double he hit was a significant moment for him.
Boone praised Kiner-Falefa’s 10-pitch battle, calling it one of the best at-bats of the season. Aaron Judge expressed his excitement and emphasized that he wants Kiner-Falefa in the lineup every single day, especially after witnessing the impressive at-bat.
Aaron Judge expressed his desire to play on Sunday, but Boone seemed more inclined to give the captain a rest and not include him in the lineup. Boone mentioned that despite his desire to play Aaron Judge regularly, they should be cautious and make smart decisions.
With the Yankees holding a comfortable five-run lead in the seventh, Aaron Judge was taken out of right field, hinting that he might be a designated hitter for Sunday night’s game. Judge expressed some dissatisfaction, accompanied by a slight smile, regarding management’s cautious approach.
Judge stated in a matter-of-fact tone that they will see the schedule they come up with and make decisions accordingly.
Onus on Cashman to maintain the tempo
As the MLB trade deadline approaches on Tuesday, it leaves fans pondering how the Yankees’ roster might shape up by then. Each competitive team in the fiercely contested AL East is looking to bolster their roster, including the Yankees who are in search of an offensive spark. With valuable pitching assets, they are well-positioned to be active participants in the trade market.
As the Orioles stepped onto the field on Saturday, rumors of the Mets’ trade involving Max Scherzer to the Rangers had already spread to the Inner Harbor. The White Sox have already traded Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito, and given the high demand for pitching, the Yankees might consider moving Luis Severino, Domingo German, or Clarke Schmidt in the right trade.
In general terms, when asked about the possibility of the Yankees acquiring help before the trade deadline on Tuesday at 6 p.m., the team’s captain responded with the expected professional response.
“It’s beyond our control,” Aaron Judge commented on the front office’s decisions, emphasizing that the current 26-player roster needs to stay focused on their daily responsibilities.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
After witnessing Severino’s performance in the series’ rubber-game, it’s apparent the Yankees’ front office is folding it’s tent on the 2023 season.
Sitting Judge for the game, along with allowing Severino to reach his pitch count in the bottom of the first inning, was all Yankee fans should need to see what Hal and Cashman think about improving the club this year.
Anyone who thinks 2024 is going to be much different than this year should seek professional psychiatric help immediately.
Steinbrenner is still raking in the dough (to the tune of a half-billion dollars every year) so why change anything? When he gave Cashman a four year extension on his contract this year, we should have read the writing on the wall: “mediocrity will not only be accepted, it will be encouraged”.