Editor's Note: All my graphics going forward will come directly from my new website, Stat Soldier. Go check it out by clicking here.
Overall Takeaway
First, I want to speak about the way I had to watch the three games from this weekend. First, I was stuck watching on Apple TV. Second, I was stuck watching on “Gotham Sports”. Lastly, I was stuck watching on ESPN.
I can dream up no worse trifecta in all of sports.
On Saturday, I just stopped watching and listened to the radio feed on the MLB App. I don’t know if there is any solution for the streaming issues that MLB is facing. All sports are seemingly facing the same problem. When I say “problem,” it is them figuring out how to get as much money as possible from us. All I want to do is watch the NESN broadcast, that’s it. I will pay double whatever MLB TV costs right now just to eliminate having to sit through an Apple TV or ESPN Broadcast. Like seriously, Aaron Judge just hit a home run, and I thought the announcers were going to run on the field and let Aaron hold them in his arms.
Now, is all of this just a way to deflect and avoid talking about how bad the Red Sox looked this series? Maybe, but everything I said above still applies.
Game 1: Yankees 4-1
Game 2: Yankees 5-3
Game 3: Red Sox 6-4
What I Loved
Garrett Crochet
Crochet did not come out and put together a start that would propel him back into the Cy Young conversation, but he was able to piece together a quality start on Sunday. The fourth inning was his kryptonite as his pitch count racked up, causing him to go over 100 in the 6th inning. With him already pitching more than ever in his career, it made sense for them to pull him.
Lucas Giolito
Since August 3rd, Giolito has a 2.45 ERA over 45.1 IP with 36 SO. He was not very efficient, but he only gave up one walk. Similar to Crochet, he racked up a lot of pitches early and was unable to go deep.
Carlos Narvaez
Narvaez wasn’t great on Friday, but made up for it on Sunday with his homer in the first. Narvaez has also moved up to 2nd in DRS amongst all catchers—top 5 catcher in MLB next year.
Bregman and Duran
Both homered in Saturday’s game and contributed again on Sunday. Bregman is slowly coming out of a slump that saw him hit .161 over a number of weeks, while Duran has only hit three home runs in his last 30 games.
What I Was 'Mid' About
Bullpen
Four home runs over three days, one being Chapman on Saturday in a game that he really shouldn’t have been in. He redeemed himself on Sunday.
Offense
Friday was a missed opportunity after a great Giolito start, and while they were “mid” Saturday, they came out guns blazing on Sunday. Rafaela was the only starter on Sunday not to get a hit (typical for his post-All-Star Game production)
What I Didn't Love
Brayan Bello Not Being The Yankees’ Daddy
Bello ended his scoreless streak against the Yankees as he gave up 4ER over 5 IP. Still have faith in him for the playoff run. His ERA in September is now 5.63 after a stellar summer where he averaged a 2.64.