I don't know what it is with the Yankees. But it certainly is mental when they play the Tampa Bay Rays. As I said on the BleedBlueShow Dugout Podcast Monday night, "The Yankees playing the Rays is like 50 first dates...same thing every time.." By the time they figure things out, it is too late and it is the next matchup with the Rays, with the same result. That is up until Tuesday night. Something is clicking with this team as they best those Rays to kick off a three day series and it is about time.
Maybe it's the fresh haircuts the team got before facing the Rays, but the Yankees seemed locked and focused to play their modern day nemicus at Tropicana Field on Tuesday night. Likely it is the combination of many little things clicking up the chain that have helped break the cycle of 50 first dates with the Rays. Let's take a closer look.
Back in the lineup for the first time since March is Luke Voit, who had some good at bats and got hit by a pitch in Tuesday night's game. His energy alone can jolt a lineup. Is it Voit being back that is turning this team around? Probably not, but it doesn't hurt to have Voit back in the clubhouse.
How about Gleyber Torres? Things are really clicking for the Yankee shortstop who ripped his first home run of the year on Mother's Day. He has settled down defensively as well, which is good news for the Yankees. But Torres clicking is not the reason on its own.
How about starting pitching? Jordan Montgomery pitched a stellar 6 innings and struck out nine Rays in his outing last night. His change up and cutter were cruising but yet, Aaron Boone chose to relieve Montgomery in the bottom of the 6th despite his low pitch count. You could claim starting pitching is the reason why the Yankees are clicking. Certainly this rotation seems to be the most stable the Yankees have had in several years and therefore is adding tremendous return for this team.
Teams win when the chemistry is even, when starting pitchers give their teams a chance by taking care of business on the mound, when fielding keeps pitchers confident and when hitters, bat for average and don't leave ducks on the pond. The Yankees were able to execute many of these features that helped break 50 first dates, but still they struggle with runners in scoring position.
For the first time in the long time, I have no complaints about this team who took the field against the Rays on Tuesday night. They gelled, they focused, they hustled and they won. Let's make it two guys. You are the best Yankee team to face the Rays in a long time, so Aaron Boone, put the same team on the field again tonight and let them keep this momentum going.
--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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