WHY RED HOT GARY SANCHEZ WAS LEFT OUT OF THE LINEUP

Source: Corey Sipkin NY Post

I will be the first to say I have had my hard times with Gary Sanchez. I think he is slow, lazy and cocky to name three reasons. But, he has shown me resilience and more recently, he has shown me that he can take and use feedback to help him improve. And over the last month since he initially lost his job to back-up catcher Kyle Higashioka, Sanchez is 22-for-64 with six doubles, six homers, 14 RBIs, seven walks and 19 strikeouts. So why is the hottest hitter on the team for more than three weeks riding the bench in Tuesday night's game opener against the Royals as his team begins to narrow their gap in the AL East? No friggin idea.

Source: The Athletic

Now recall that skipper Aaron Boone likes to give his players "days off." He says it keeps them fresh and healthy, which I would seriously like to see the data on that. Sanchez played Sunday, there was no game on Monday and the Yankees played against the Royals on Tuesday night. I realize that it is Gerrit Cole's start but at some point you have to say, "Listen Gerrit, we are going with Gary tonight. His bat is hot and we need him." Or, you have him DH and sit or God forbid play Giancarlo Stanton in left field if you want him in the lineup with Sanchez. But sitting Sanchez is just ridiculous, particularly now that he has made changes to his swing which is really paying off. 

Source: New York Daily News

"Last month, he ditched the leg kick, which Boone called a “real adjustment.” “Now you’re seeing a real quiet lower half and a more balanced hitter,’’ Boone said. “He’s just in a much different place than he was a month ago.” Sanchez, though, is notoriously streaky, which has left some to wonder how sustainable this recent turnaround will be," reported The New York Post. Which is another reason you play him while he is hot. 

Source: CBS Sports

I really don't get it. I have always said, play the best team you have every night. If that means you keep guys in the lineup, do it, their careers are short and you never know when it's going to be the last game. There are regularly scheduled days off built into the season. And honestly, if Gary plays the night before a day game and you want to give him a day off from time to time to keep him fresh, that makes sense. But sitting him after he already had a day off is not strategic and certainly not smart managing. Keep Gary hot by keeping him in the lineup and let that momentum give the Yankees an advantage and the chance to battle back and win the division. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof