by Paul Semendinger
July 1, 2022
***
The Yankees came back to reality a bit against the Astros. In the last four games against the team from Houston, the Yankees scored 1, 0, 6, and 1 run. It sure seemed like that 6-spot was the fluke, and it was. Three of those runs came on Aaron Judge's 10th inning blast to win it. The Astros could have swept the Yankees if not for the two very late game comeback wins. Still, in the end, the Yankees won those games and that's all that counts.
By the time the Yankees play the Astros, seemingly in the American League Championship Series, I don't think these games will have any impact save for the fact that the teams know that they are pretty evenly matched.
The Yankees offense struggled against the Astros, but their pitching was terrific. In those last four games, the Yankees allowed 3, 3, 3, and 2 runs. Against a top team, I am pleased with that.
It will be very interesting to see what the Yankees plan to do in regard to acquiring players as the month continues. There is a good argument that they should pick up at least one starting pitcher. Nestor Cortes and Luis Severino are bith, quickly, reaching some important innings totals:
Luis Severino has pitched more innings this year than 2019-2021 combined. He's already thrown the third most innings in any season in his career.
Nestor Cortes is at the second most innings he's ever pitched in a season.
The Yankees have done so well this year, primarily because their pitching has been so good. I just wonder how long Severino and Cortes can last.
Of course, if the Yankees keep running out guys like J.P. Sears (3-0, 0.00), they'll be fine. But I am always in favor of adding a "sure thing" (or as much of a sure thing as there can be). The Yankees could use one more veteran starter. In addition, if one of the starters goes down, then the added pitcher wouldn't just be a depth piece, he'd be needed.
In regard to the rest of the roster, the time came, long ago, when Joey Gallo proved that he's not the player so many thought he'd be. He's been a huge disappointment. If the Yankees weren't as great as they are this year, he'd be a lightning rod. It's time to move him out of New York before that happens. I feel badly for Gallo, but it's time for him to be traded or just released. I'm not supposing any team would offer much for him based on his performance (or lack thereof) over the last year. In the playoffs, the Yankees will need another bat. The excellent Astros pitching has demonstrated that.
Some other thoughts and some big news:
The Yankees 56-20 start to begin the season is tied for the best in franchise history with the 1928 and 1998 Yankees. That 1998 team went on to keep winning and didn't lose their 21st game until after they won their 65th game! What a season that was!
With 22 June wins, the Yankees matched the 1961 team for the most ever in Yankees June History. (Now that's a specific category.)
The Yankees are 22-1 in games when Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton both homer in the same game. They are 9-0 when that happens this year.
I am very eager to hear my former student Brendan Burke on the radio for the next six games as he sits in for John Sterling. Go Brendan! I hope that he dopes great and can earn a permanent spot in the booth.
For those who wish to attend an author talk and meet me, I have two coming this month:
On July 20, I'll be talking about The Least Among Them in Hawthorne, NJ as Passaic County celebrates baseball.
On July 23, I'll be talking about The Least Among Them in Baltimore, MD at the Babe Ruth Museum.
The Least Among Them recently won the Gold Medal for the best sports book in 2021 by Foreward Indies. I'm very pleased that my books continue to get recognized by various outlets. (Also, if you haven't read Scattering the Ashes, you should take a look!)
In other big writing news, I am very pleased and proud to announce that I am working with the great Yankee (and human being) Roy White on his autobiography which will be released by Artemesia Publishing next April. This book, From Compton to the Bronx, is going to be outstanding. Stay tuned for more information in the days, weeks, and months to come.
