KEEPING THE GLASS HALF FULL

Only a week into the season and the Yankees already have nearly a dozen players on the injured list. The line up, rotation, and bullpen are dropping like flies as the injuries stack up.  But there is a bright side and that is simply, guys who were not expected to be up in the majors this soon are here to contribute.  We may not like it, but at least the Yankees have a rich farm system to hopefully tide them over until guys come back from the IL.

“It’s not ideal,” Brett Gardner said. “Our depth obviously is going to be tested. But I’m confident that we’ve got the guys to step up and get the job done,” reported Newsday.

Source: Deadspin

Luke Voit was fortunate not to be the next guy added to the IL after being hit by a pitch again.  “It’s just the second time I’ve been hit in the area this year,” said Voit, who also was hit on Opening Day last week. “I get it, they’re trying to pitch up and in, but especially with all the injuries going around, it’s frustrating. I could have been the guy that’s No. 7 on the disabled list. I get it. He’s not trying to do it on purpose, but you never know what can happen. It’s just frustrating,” reported the NY Post.  Luckily he got mad enough to punch a three-run home run to beat the Orioles 8-4 in the Birds opening day in Camden Yards.

So, the glass is half full. Voit averted an injury and won the game for the Yankees- a sure sign that things will absolutely get better; the Yanks are just getting warmed up. And hey, we can't all be Milwaukee and Seattle, and who knows where they will be in a month.  

Source: The Daily News

Across the river, The Mets dropped their home opener to the Nationals yesterday. Prior to that loss, however, Jacob deGrom had an incredible start to his season. deGrom demolished the Marlins in his most recent start, earning a career high of 14 strikeouts. If that wasn’t enough, he also smacked the first pitch he saw out of the park getting the Mets ahead with a 2-0 lead.  

“I told Nimmo, I’m not taking the first pitch,” deGrom said, referring to Brandon Nimmo, the next hitter up. “I was fortunate enough to be on time,” reported the New York Times.

Source: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports 

deGrom ended his night after seven innings, extending his scoreless streak to 26 innings. I really thought that deGrom could not get any better after last season, but he continues to surprise fans with two quality starts to the season.  See, glass half full, right? 

Baseball is 90% mental and if teams can stay positive and focused on winning, they can get through the bad days and relish the good ones.  Mindfulness can go a long way and when you think about the length of the season, the dog days of summer and the cool days in the fall, everyone will forget the spring, which is arguably the most difficult season to navigate.  Stay positive, fans.  We will withstand the challenges...leading to better days ahead.

--Missy O'Rourke
BYB Contributor
Twitter: @missy_orourke