By Paul Semendinger
August 29, 2023
***
Last night, the Yankees (62-68) played a team, the Tigers (59-71) who were having a worse year than they are. The Tigers proved to be toothless and the Yanks prevailed in this game with a 4-1 victory.
Quick Stats:
Luis Severino: 7 innings, 5 hits allowed, no walks, 8 strikeouts, no runs
Gleyber Torres: 2-for4, HR, 2 rbi's
Aaron Judge: 1-for-3, 2 runs, 2 walks, homer
Clay Homes: 1 inning, 2 hits, 1 run
Big Story:
There were two big stories, both about Yankees who, if things had gone differently these last many years, would both be Yankees icons because they would be the pitching and hitting homegrown stars who brought the Yankees their latest World Championships.
Aaron Judge, the captain, the reigning MVP, is, of course, a superstar. 2023 hasn't been his year though. Judge missed a ton of time after injuring his toe in a collision with a wall at Dodger Stadium. Since returning to the lineup, while he has has some flashes of greatness, including a three-home run game, he is batting only .221. Judge's homer last night snapped an 0-for-17 slide he was suffering through.
Luis Severino pitched as the Yankees imaged he would on most nights since his debut many years ago. Luis Severino was supposed to be the homegrown star starting pitcher. Unfortunately, for him, and the team, injuries derailed his would-be brilliant career. Last night, Severino showed what could have been. He pitched a gem. But, even with seven shutout innings last night, his ERA for the season still sits at 6.64.
Better to Forget:
The Yankees are now hoping that the young would-be future stars of today live up to their hype and potential.
Anthony Volpe, who is hitting better of late, was 0-for-4. Everson Pereira was also 0-for-4, striking out three times.
My Take:
My take is well-known. The 2023 season has been a huge disappointment. The Yankees have played bad baseball. The team is firmly situated in last place. There are only 31 games remaining in the 2023 Yankees season. I am sure, they all cannot wait until it is over. Sadly, many (if not most) of their fans feel the same way.
Also, this makes no sense. Until last night, the Yankees had not played the Tigers all season. They are in a streak, where they'll now play them in seven of ten games.
Next Up:
At 6:40 tonight, the Yankees play the second of four games against the Tigers in Detroit. Michael King will start for the Yankees.
And there was lots of 0.0 exit velo last night.
Paul, Severino’s after 2 good outings ERA is still over 6.50. The Yanks won’t shut Judge down until they are mathematically eliminated from the playoff race, he reinjures himself or possibly Judge goes to them saying he is hurting. Hal gave him $ 40 million to play and draw fans to the park so he can make back some of the money he spent. Right or wrong that’s how Hal thinks. It’s always about the money!
Personally, I'm happy for Sevy. He is one of the good guys in baseball.
What do you want when it comes to Judge's .221 BA? The Yankees have a very different definition of what healthy to play is all about that anyone else. I sm convinced a bean counter or another mon baseball guy is making these decisions.
Coaching based on the anslytics doesn't make fir hood basebsll players. Develop guys using this system, what do you honestly expect? Pereira has the bat speed, but still looks like he goes up there with no idea what they are trying to do to him. He was like that in AAA too. Prraza hasnt been the same at the plate since his oblique injury in June. Would anyone really be surprised if he's plsying hurt/compromised at…