The New York Yankees started this season tearing the league apart. It was inevitable that they’d return to earth, but…like this? The bombers have gone through an entire season’s worth of drama and it’s not even June.
Going into Thursday, the Yankees were tied for second with the most home runs in the league (40) and fourth in on-base percentage (.333). But players like Aaron Judge
At the same time, in twelve of the Yankees’ losses, opposing pitchers have shut out the Yankee lineup five times. Have any of the players noticed?
“I haven’t really thought much of it,” said Judge, via MLB.com. “We’ve got a great lineup. Guys are getting on base. We’re having great at-bats. It’s part of the season. Things like that happen. We never want it to happen, but all we’ve got to do is get ready for tomorrow.”
A Yankee offense that includes Judge, Juan Soto, Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo, and Gleyber Torres isn’t expected to get shutout at Camden Yards, but that’s what happened last Monday.
The pitching has been the bright spot for the Yankees. Every pitcher on the starting staff (Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes, Luis Gil, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt) has an ERA below four. But
But General Manager Brian Cashman called for reinforcements.
In March, the Yankees acquired pitcher JT Brubaker from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Brubaker is still recovering from Tommy John surgery and is slated to return this summer. In three seasons, Brubaker’s recorded a career ERA of 4.99, a 4.43 FIP, a 1.40 WHIP, and an average of 3 walks per nine innings. The deal was for a player to be named later. The player named later is, according to MLB Pipeline, a top 20 prospect in the Yankee organization.
Keiner Delgado was the player to be named later. The 20-year-old infielder from Venezuela hit .293/.414/.485 with 36 stolen bases in 49 games of rookie-league ball. The team gave up a top prospect for a pitcher whose arm won’t be ready for competition until the summer. Their number-one starter also waits in the wings.
“I know not having Gerrit Cole to start off [the season] was going to be tough, but the boys have been grinding,” Cortes told reporters. “The boys have been pitching well. Overall, I think we’ve done a decent job of going deep into games. Obviously waiting for Gerrit to get back, but we’re going to hold the fort down until he does.”
A lineup that’s not working as a unit yet. Pitching without their number-one starter and fighting with the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the American League East. New York is hanging around. But things must change soon. So while the Yankees stay near the top of their division, are they there yet? Nope.
