This Week in the Bronx - Week 11
How the Turn Tables? - Michael Scott
What a whirlwind of a week. Going from sweeping the Kansas City Royals (34-38) to being swept by the Boston Red Sox (37-36). I’ll start with the positive. The Yankees looked sharp against Kansas City. They allowed five runs through three games. The other good news is that they kept every game close with Boston. They just could not put up runs against stellar pitching from Garret Crochet, Brayan Bello, and Hunter Dobbins.
Series 1: Kansas City Royals (Away)
Game 1: W 10-2 | Game 2: W 6-3 | Game 3: W 1-0
Series 2: Boston Red Sox (Away)
Game 1: L 2-1 | Game 2: L 4-3 | Game 3: L 2-0
The starting pitching was solid again this week. Clarke Schmidt had a brilliant start against Kansas City in a 6-3 victory for the Yankees. Max Fried received no support in his 7-inning, 9-strikeout performance in a 2-0 loss to Boston. He was able to deliver twice this week. Not only did he earn two quality starts, but he also picked up a win. This man consistently earns every dollar of his paycheck.
Devin Williams has been outstanding over the last month, and the timing couldn’t come at a better time with Luke Weaver on the injured list. Williams is pitching to a 2.38 ERA across 11.1 innings to pair with five saves, sixteen strikeouts, four holds, and a win.
Arms to Highlight:
Max Fried —> 14 IP | 13 K | 2.57 ERA | 1 W | 2 QS | 1.00 WHIP
Devin Williams —> 1.2 IP | 2 K | 0.00 ERA | 2 SV | 0.00 WHIP
Clarke Schmidt —> 6 IP | 7 K | 0.00 ERA | 1 QS | 0.83 WHIP
Notable Team Pitching Statistics Thru 6/15:
+ 2nd in H (499)
+ 3rd in SO (640)
- T-15th in QS (25)
+ 10th in ERA (3.63)
I don’t know what to say. The Yankees' offense is good. There is no questioning that. Boston just seems to have their number. Outside of starting pitching depth, I would really like to see the Yankees go after another infield bat at the deadline. I think one or two additions to the team could pay handsome dividends come October.
Names to consider at the deadline:
2B Brandon Lowe (Do we trust the Rays not to fleece the Yankees?)
3B Nolan Arenado (If price is right)
3B Eugenio Suarez (If Diamondbacks become sellers)
Merrill Kelly (Same situation as Suarez)
Reliever David Bednar (Again…if the price is right)
It is great to have DJ LeMahieu back in the lineup and contributing. He is batting almost .270 now for the year through twenty-five games. Anthony Volpe is also starting to get me more excited. Across the last two weeks, he is batting .300, with two bombs and six RBIs.
Bats to Highlight:
Aaron Judge —> 5 HR | 9 RBI | .318 BA | 6 R | 2 BB | 1.375 OPS
Austin Wells —> 1 HR | 7 RBI | .250 BA | 4 R | 1 BB | 0 SB | .857 OPS
DJ LeMahieu —> 1 HR | 4 R | .294 BA | 1 RBI | 1 SB | 4 BB | .929 OPS
Notable Team Hitting Statistics Thru 6/15:
+ 2nd in AVG (.257)
+ 1st in BB (278)
+ 3rd in R (370)
- T-9th in SO (603)
New York needs to take advantage of the schedule this week. They take on the Los Angeles Angels (33-37) and then the Baltimore Orioles (30-40), both at home. New York is losing ground in the American League East as Tampa has won seven of its last ten and now stands only three and a half games behind the Yankees in the division, with the Blue Jays nipping at their heels.
As you may or may not have heard. The Red Sox made a blockbuster trade after sweeping the Yankees. Listen to the latest episode of The Skipper’s View Podcast in the links below!
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