by Paul Semendinger
June 1, 2024
***
About Last Night - The Yankees continued their winning ways with a 6-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants.
The 2024 Yankees are 16-8 against teams with a .500 record or better. They are, absolutely, getting it done.
Quick Stats -
WP- Marcus Stroman
LP- Jordan Hicks
NYY HR - Aaron Judge, Aaron Judge
Game (and other) Thoughts (as the game progressed):
A 10:15 p.m. start time for a New York team (or any east coast team) is absurd and ridiculous.
Tonight's game was Aaron Judge's first as a Yankee in San Francisco. The Yankees were there in 2019, but Judge was on the IL for those games.
Aaron Judge reached on an error, it was an absolute error, a MLB shortstop has to make that play, it was hit right at him. The error was later changed to a hit. That is a joke and it makes a joke of every statistic because it beings official scoring into question. We talk a lot about bad umpiring. That was bad, terrible, in fact, official scoring.
The Yankees' batters hit a bunch of foul balls in the top of the first inning. I think that's a good sign for later in the game. They should be on those pitches the second or third time through the order.
Confession - I root for Mike Yastrzemski. I rooted for his dad too, except when they played the Yankees.
Before the game, the announcers said, "It's difficult to homer at Oracle Park." Aaron Judge didn't agree.
In the 6th, Judge didn't agree a second time.
If Aaron Judge had signed with the Giants, and kept this pace, he would have hit 324 homers last year alone. He'd already be over 500 homers for his career.
Anthony Rizzo hit his first extra base hit in 16 games in the top of the 6th.
The Yankees scored two runs on a wild pitch with, Anthony Rizzo, not a speedster by any means, scoring the second run.
When things are going well, they are going well.
A few nights ago we discussed terrible insurance commercials. I do like the Progressive commercials about "not being your parents." Those are unique and fun.
I was happy to see Marcus Stroman pitch into the 8th inning. Another great start for the Yankees.
In the 9th, YES blocked the video feed I have watched all week on the YES app. while being in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Really? REALLY? In the middle of the night, they have fans watching their team, and half-asleep, they do this to them? I am referring to the Yankees (or YES or whoever is responsible, as being half asleep, but maybe I am being too generous).
I really have to wonder, seriously, why I even care about this team. They treat their fans, so often, and in so many ways, very poorly. There is no excuse for this. None. Zero. You block a game, one the fans stayed up into the late hours of the night to watch - and you block it in the 9th inning. Really???!!!
This is what I got to see on the YES App at 12:30 a.m.:
Player of the Game -
Marcus Stroman: 7.1 innings, 6 hits, 2 earned runs.
Aaron Judge: 3 hits, 2 homers, 4 runs batted in
Better to Forget -
Trent Grisham is hitting .051 for the season. Sure, he never plays, but .051. YIKES!
My Take:
The 2024 Yankees have been extremely fun to watch. (Note - when the Yankees a kind enough to let their loyal fans watch the team.) I has been a great start to the season through May. The starting pitching has been amazing. Absolutely amazing. The key, going forward, it to keep this level of play (within reason) continuing. I am confident that this team can keep up the winning, maybe not quite at the pace they've been at, but at a good pace. If the Yankees address the bullpen, they'll be even better. Or should be.
This is shaping up as a great season. I know Hal Steinbrenner discussed the payroll last week. He said it's not sustainable. Failing to win World Series is also not sustainable. The time to go all-in, to keep the pedal to the medal, is now. This is the year. GO FOR IT! Go all the way. If players who can fill holes become available, cost shouldn't be a consideration. Flags fly forever. The Yankees would make money off a World Championship forever. Give the fans the championship they have been aching for.
Also, a note to the Yankees - If the team makes the playoffs and World Series, don't take the games away from them.
Quick Note:
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Next Up:
The Yankees continue their three-game series in San Francisco tonight at (uggg) 10:05 p.m. Cody Poteet takes the hill for the Yanks. Poteet replaces the injured Clarke Schmidt.
Agree on West Coast start times.... weekend night games should start at 5pm West Coast time and 6 during the week! The Giants look like a very good .500 ball club!
Mike is Carl's GRANDson! Feel old with me -- very, very old.
A 10:15 p.m. start time for a New York team (or any east coast team) is absurd and ridiculous.
it's not a small world after all, Paul.
perhaps Yankee fans would have been spared all this if only both the Giants and Yankees still played in the Polo Grounds.
sad that I never got to see anyone play polo there