THE GRIND STARTS NOW!

Well, we stopped the slide, for now. We all knew the Yankees were going to drop a series at some point after they had a hot start. So now, we take the win yesterday and get ready for the next.

I hate losing more than I love winning.... call me Billy Beane. I also really hate losing to division rivals and I do think the Blue Jays have a lot of talent on their team. This was the first test. We didn't do as well as I had hoped for but there's a long way to go in the season.

The grind starts now. I know there is a lot of hype surrounding the Yankees right now. Yes, they had a great start. They did better than what I expected for sure, but now this is where the real test begins and the Yankees have a few things to fix.

I'm still concerned with how the starters don't pitch deep into games. Luis Gil lasted five innings but gave up three runs and seven walks. Carlos Rodon didn't do any better with four innings five hits, three earned runs and four walks. If we keep doing this, our bullpen is going to be gassed. It's too early to tax the bullpen and if these guys get overworked early in the season it's an injury risk.

The offense is better with Juan Soto in it, but it still has some of the same old problems. When you look at Monday's game the 1-5 and 8 and 9 hitters had one hit in 20 at bats! Tuesday's game the 1-5 hitters had one hit in 20 at bats. That's the same Yankees of prior seasons and a sure way to lose games and drop series. I think Soto is a great addition, but after that the Yankees lineup looks very similar. Okay, you added Alex Verdugo too.... but it's still a very similar lineup to last season.

It was good to see Aaron Judge make the game winning hit, but we also need him to get in a groove. This .182BA isn't going to help the Yankees. I know it's early, and he's in a slump.....I know all of the logic people are going to say about it BUT it doesn't change the fact that we need Judge to find that consistency and all of these guys need to stop with the strikeouts.

This team looks like it has more swagger so far.... but some of the same challenges exist. The Yankees need to get back on track and dial it up. The Rays are up next, and the Orioles are waiting at the end of April and that will be a BIG test. 

The Grind starts now!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj