YANKEES NEED TO STEP UP AGAINST HOUSTON

Source: CBS Sports

The Yankees are on pace to win 122 games this season with a record of 52-20, but from the looks of the last two games, you wouldn't know it. They played submissive to the forever cheaters, the Houston Astros, losing 3-1 and 3-0 respectively on Friday and Saturday at home. Saturday was worse than Friday because the Yankees were no-hit—totally deflating. As we move into the final game of this four-game series, the Yankees need to redeem themselves and step up against the Astros. 

Source: CNN

As Fox News reported, "Coming into their Saturday matinee against the Astros, the Yankees had looked like a juggernaut that could not be stopped, holding the best record in MLB. But on any given day, it could be your time. And on this one — at Yankee Stadium — it was time for New York’s No. 1 ranked offense to get no-hit. It was the Astros, led by RHP Christian Javier, who would blank the Yankees in the hit column for just the first time since 2003 and the second time in 64 years." It makes me just sick to re-read that quote. 

Source: MLB.com

If we want to call this a blip or a fluke, fine. But against the Astros? Why did it have to be them? A friend asked if it hurts more to lose to the Red Sox or the Houston Astros. I have to say, they both hurt, but more recently, likely since 2017, it hurts more to lose to the Astros. 

Sunday's game needs to put the Yankees on top with Nasty Nestor Cortes leading the charge from the hill. And speaking of the hill, the Yankees are about to get some more ammunition from the pen, which has been beaten up in the last few games.

Source: AP

NJ.com reminds us,  "Aaron Boone will soon have Aroldis Chapman, Jonathan Loaisiga, and Domingo German fully healthy and ready to be activated. No need to overstate the obvious: the three relievers would give the Yankees a nearly-untouchable late-inning presence." Hopefully, this much-needed boost will give the Yankees the mental capacity to go in there and knock the Astros on their asses Sunday afternoon. 

The Yankees need to get back in the ring and start throwing punches against the Astros today. No more caving to this team. Go after it. Step up, Yankees, and even out this series. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof