A LIST OF AWFUL YANKEE LOSSES

This is a classic post. Our guy Doug Solomon with a breakdown of all the awful Yankee losses this year.  Very, very interesting stuff. take a close look.

I don't always post here at BYB... but when I do, I like to share some glaring concerns I have. The latest is this list of horrible losses by the New York Yankees... and it keeps growing. These are the ones that stand out so far this year, although there were others too. Check it out.

April 7th vs. Baltimore: 

After Baltimore scored the Manfred Man in the 11th, the Yankees got theirs to 3B with 1 out for LeMahieu, who hit a line drive to right. But it was caught by Santander, who threw a strike to home and nailed Gio trying to score the winning run to end the game. Any loss to Baltimore hurts.

April 14th vs. Toronto: 

Bo Bichette hits a walk-off dinger off Chad Green leading off the bottom of the 9th in a 4-4 game to end it.

May 28th vs. Detroit: 

The Yanks took a 2-1 lead in the top of the 10th and somehow were using Justin Wilson to close it out in the 10th. Wilson got the first out and appeared to get the second out on what should have been called strike 3 to Robbie Grossman, but it was called a ball. The next pitch, Grossman hits walk-off homer and the Yanks lose 3-2.

June 10th vs Minnesota: 

The Yanks were going for the sweep of the Twins and took a 5-3 lead to the bottom of the 9th. Chapman entered the game with a 0.39 ERA, but gave up a single and a game-tying HR to Josh Donaldson. Then another single, followed by a walk-off 2-run homer to Nelson Cruz.

June 30th vs. Angels: 

Yanks led 8-4 in the 9th after scoring 7 in the first inning off Ohtani. Chapman walks the leadoff batter, then after a forceout, walks the next 2 batters to load the bases. Boone leaves Chapman in and he proceeds to give up a game tying Grand Slam to Jared Walsh. Chapman is pulled (too late) and Luetge replaced him and he walked the first batter, then gave up a single sending the go ahead run to 3B. After a strikeout for the 2nd out, he gives up a 2-run single to Luis Rengifo and Angels take a 10-8 lead and win 11-8.

July 4th vs Mets: 

The Yankees led 5-4 going to the 7th of a 7-inning game. Despite Chapman’s meltdown vs. the Angels 4 days earlier, he comes in for the save and immediately gives up the game-tying HR to Pete Alonso, then puts the go ahead run on base by hitting Conforto. After a walk to McNeil, Chapman is pulled and replaced by Luetge, who promptly allows a single and (after a strikeout) a go-ahead double to Jose Peraza to essentially win the game (Yanks didn’t score in the bottom of the 7th). Mets win 11-5 with 7 runs in the 7th inning.

July 11th vs. Houston: 

New York was going for the sweep in their first series in Houston since the controversial 2019 ALCS. Yanks had a 7-2 lead going to the bottom of the 9th and tried to allow Domingo German to start the inning after 2 innings of relief. After first 2 batters reached on German, Green was brought in and promptly gave up a 2-run double to Chris McCormick to make it 7-4. Then Abraham Toro doubled in McCormick to make it 7-5 and Castro singled to put runners on the corners before Green got the first out. But with 2 on and 1 out, Altuve ended it with a walk-off HR off Chad Green. Houston had scored 6 runs in the bottom of the 9th to win 8-7.

July 22 vs. Boston: 

The Yanks took a 3-1 lead to the 9th and brought in Chad Green. After a strikeout, Verdugo singled and Dalbec singled, but then Plawecki flied out, so the Yanks were 1 out away. But Enrique Hernandez doubled off the wall and both runners scored to tie the game. Yanks were able to score the Manfred Man in the top the 10th to take a 4-3 lead, but Yanks (with Loaisiga out due to COVID), had to turn to rookie Brooks Kriske in the bottom of the 10th and Kriske was terrible. He walked the leadoff batter, then threw 2 wild pitches allowing the tying run to score and the winning run to move to 3B and a Hunter Renfroe SAC Fly ended it.

July 25 vs Boston: 

Yanks had a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the 8th in this one and Domingo German had a no-hitter through 7 innings (including having struck out 4 batters in the 7th). The no-hitter was broken with a leadoff double by Verdugo and Loaisiga came in and promptly allowed a double to Renfroe, scoring Verdugo to make it 4-1. Vazquez singled --- 4-2. Cordero singled and then Enrique Hernandez doubled to make it 4-3. Britton came in to try to save it and got a groundout, but that scored the tying run 4-4. Bogaerts then hit a SAC Fly to make it 5-4 Boston and they held the Yanks in the 9th to win 5-4.

August 12 vs. White Sox: 

The Yanks have an amazing comeback in Iowa after training 7-4 with 2 outs in the 9th. Judge 2-run HR makes it 7-6, and after a walk to Gallo, Stanton hits a dramatic go-ahead HR into the cornfield off Liam Hendricks to make it 8-7. Britton comes in for the save, but after getting the fist out, walk Danny Zavala after starting out ahead 0-2. Tim Anderson then promptly hits a walk-off 2-run HR for a 9-8 White Sox win.

And why are these losses happening? 2 things... bad decisions & a shaky bullpen.  Think about it.

--Douglas Solomon

   BYB Guest Writer

DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE TWINS!

"There is no greater danger than underestimating your opponent." -Lao Tzu

History is just that....history. I know we are all excited about postseason baseball. It's nice that we are finally division champs again. It's been a long time. It may be nice to face the very familiar Twins to start the postseason, but some people are too complacent. Confidence is good, but like ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, never underestimate your opponent.

The Yankees have a long successful history against the Twins....but that's all it is, history. It doesn't matter anymore. I've heard a lot of people talk about THESE stats:

2003 ALDS: Yankees win series 3-1
2004 ALDS: Yankees win series 3-1
2009 ALDS: Yankees win series 3-0
2010 ALDS: Yankees win series 3-0

2017 AL Wild Card Game: Yankees win eventually, but the Twins did jump out to an early 3-0 lead.
*The last time the Twins beat the Yankees in a postseason game was 15 years ago on October 5, 2004 and the Yankees have gone 10-0 against Minnesota in October since then.

Those are all nice historical facts, they are nice confidence builders. The Yankees have success against the Twins but they are a good team too. These aren't the same TWINKIES anymore. They hit home runs like the Yankees do, in fact hit one more than we did for the season. The Yankees and Twins match up on paper in many ways. Not only do they hit home runs, they have a good bullpen, they have the same concerns with their starting rotation as we do AND they are banged up just like we are.

This is going to be a battle of two very evenly matched teams, it's not going to be a walk in the park for either team. The Yankees won the regular season series with a 4-2 record and both teams hit a ton of home runs this season, so we shouldn't expect the ALDS to be any different. The Yankees will have to be strategic pitching against Eddie Rosario, Max Kepler, Nelson Cruz, Miguel Sano and Mitch Garver all of these guys hit over 30 home runs whereas the Yankees only had Gleyber Torres and Gary Sanchez hit more than 30.

The pitching is going to be key here. The Yankees have a strategy in mind for the first three games even if we don't know it yet. I wonder if the Twins rely more on an opener after Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi. The Yankees need to win games one and two at home, it takes off a little bit of the pressure. This will probably be a tighter series than some think it will be. Tight games will be decided by pitching mistakes, and both teams know how to hit dingers. The Yankees have been hurt this season by home run mistakes, so hopefully we don't make many of them and are able to overcome them.

The start of the postseason isn't going to be easy for the Yankees just because we have a consistent record against the Twins in the past. The Twins are hungry, just like we are. Remember, they are ready to "slay the dragon" so we have to show them what happens when they poke this dragon. We have to be hungrier and live in the present, not the past.

If we are hungrier and play better baseball, then we win. Simple as that. Stay hungry, Yankees.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

THE YANKEES WAR ON BASEBALL

Source: The New York Times

With every war, there is intel, logistics, a plan and unfortunately, wounded.  And for the Yankees April and now May feels like a war.  We have tanks like Luke Voit and Gary Sanchez engaged in all out bat combat, we have jeeps warring through the infield terrain like Gio Urshela and Gleyber Torres and we have an outfield that is trying to keep launched baseballs in front of them and away from the fences.  Yep, folks, the Yankees are in an all out war on baseball and right now, baseball is winning.

Source: Yahoo Sports

Falling to the Twins and tying the series at one, the Yankees seemed lifeless yesterday at the stadium, despite their desire to conjure up the force on Saturday's May the Fourth Be With You Day.

"Every time the Yankees clawed their way forward, however, the Twins pushed them back in the hole. Minnesota added runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings, the last coming on a long solo shot by Nelson Cruz to effectively put the game away. Gary Sanchez made things interesting by launching another monster shot to left to start the eighth inning," reported SB Nation.

Source: SNY 

Luke Voit lost his 42-game on-base streak yesterday as well, adding to the Yankee loss column.  Despite having Miguel Andujar and DJ LeMahieu back in the lineup, the Yankees have lost their de facto ace James Paxton to knee inflammation.  The Yankee pitcher will be shut down for 7-10 days after receiving a cortisone shot and allowing time for the knee time to heal.  But that means another hole to fill in the starting rotation, one that has been the glue for the Yankees but certainly has been taxed this season.

Source: MLB.com

With Paxton's exit to the IL, the Yankees wasted no time making adjustments and Ubering Jake Barrett who has been considered a pitcher's version of a utility player and now a part of the Yankee clubhouse.  "Barrett, 26, was claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates in early April, and is 0-1 with a 1.50 ERA and 16 strikeouts in eight appearances with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. After showing flashes for the Arizona Diamondbacks as a rookie in 2016, the right-hander has tailed off and turned into a semi-journeyman. He adds insurance to the back end of the bullpen for now, as the Yankees weigh their options to replace Paxton the next turn in the rotation," reported the NY Post.  He gave up one hit yesterday shorty after his call up- a solo home run to Twins slugger Nelson Cruz, sigh.

As their war on baseball continues, the Yankees will likely shift Jonathan Loáisiga into Paxton's rotation slot and 5-1 Domingo German will pitch later today in the Yankees' rubber game against the Twins at 4:05 p.m.  Bringing in more ammunition while trying to hold their own, the Yankees continue to use strategy and will power to win ball games.

Since the loss of their big guns in Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees have had to rely on more situational hitting, small ball and the almighty bunt.  It's been a magic formula but now that the game is starting to impact their starting rotation more severely, the Yankees may need to make more shifts, potentially to offset guys down.  This could include an opener strategy lead by someone like Tommy Kahnle or even Chad Green, who is expected back in the Bronx soon.  But let's not get ahead of ourselves.  The Yankees war is right now against the Twins and let's hope we can win this battle and then bring on the next opponent, the Seattle Mariners on Monday.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

OHTANI'S AGENT GIVES MLB A TOUGH HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

The Yankees and anyone else interested in signing Shohei Ohtani all want to woo Otani and it's not going to be easy. This sales pitch will also have to come in writing and not just in English but also in Japanese. Yikes! This sounds like one hell of a homework assignment.

While some of us were out shopping on Black Friday for those holiday gifts, the commissioner's office sent communication to all 30 teams from Ohtani's agent asking all interested teams to explain what role Ohtani would play on each team and what makes each team an attractive match for him. Details come from YAHOO! sports below:

"The memo from Nez Balelo, co-head of CAA Baseball, was distributed to all 30 teams by the commissioner’s office late Friday along with materials for the Dec. 1 vote on a new posting agreement between Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball. If the deal is approved, the 23-year-old is expected to be put up for bid later that day or the following day.

Balelo’s memo asks for a team to evaluate Ohtani’s talent as a pitcher and as a hitter; to explain its player development, medical training and player performance philosophies and facilities; to describe its minor league and spring training facilities; to detail resources for Ohtani’s cultural assimilation into the team’s city; to demonstrate a vision for how Ohtani could integrate into the team’s organization; and to tell Ohtani why the team is a desirable place to play.

Each team was asked to provide its answers in both languages as soon as possible. Clubs were told not to include any financial terms of a possible contract."

Photo: Getty Images

This is a very unusual request, but Ohtani is a very unique player and clearly interested in how he fits in with a team on a long term commitment. I actually dig this proposal. It's clear that Ohtani wants to play for a team that will allow him to pitch and hit and a wordy sales pitch isn't enough for him. He wants those words in writing too and when he makes a commitment to someone (it would be nice if it were the Yankees!) he wants an equal commitment in return.

I previously wrote that while the Texas Rangers have the most money to spent on Ohtani at $3,535,000 and the Yankees are right behind at $3.5 million the Seattle Mariners will fight hard to sign him. No other team has been as vocal about how they will give Ohtani time to pitch and hit as the Seattle Mariners.

Photo: Getty Images

GM Jerry Dipoto even said they would move Nelson Cruz between DH and the outfield as needed in order to give Ohtani more opportunities to hit, read more on that HERE.

So Ohtani's agent means business and Dipoto so far has the best pitch....but this is far from over. I just hope the Yankees go above and beyond on their homework assignment. Things are getting interesting. 

Are the Yankees still the favorite or do the Mariners win this with extra credit?

Stay tuned.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

MLB CUBA GOODWILL TOUR PLAYERS ANNOUNCED & MORE

The MLB is about ready to go to Cuba for the first time in 16 years. MLBPA executive director Tony Clark, Chief baseball officer Joe Torre, and special advisor to the executive director, MLBPA, Dave Winfield lead the group of baseball players in the tour which will include children's clinics and charity events.

The players headed on the tour includes Cuban-born Jose Abreu, Brayan Pena, Yasiel Puig and Alexei Ramirez. Clayton Kershaw, Miguel Cabrera, Nelson Cruz and Jon Jay also join the. This goodwill tour is an incredible opportunity for the players, and the league itself. It allows them the opportunity to enlighten and encourage children that would otherwise not have that opportunity.


The MLB will also provide Friends of Carita Cubana with a $200,000 grant. They are a US based, non-governmental provider of humanitarian, social and emergency services. A piece on the MLB site described the organization.

"Caritas Cubana focuses on assisting Cuba's most vulnerable citizens, including the elderly, children, single mothers, people with disabilities and people living with HIV/AIDS. In addition to conducting programs for these populations, Caritas Cubaa distributes medicines and provides emergency relief as needed."

The organization is also included as one of their stops during this Goodwill tour.

I like the idea of taking the game of baseball to other places. The MLB going to Cuba is huge. It's been 16 years since the last time since the Baltimore Orioles played against the Cuban National team in an exhibition game. Baseball is huge in Cuba. I think it's smart to make this trip to Cuba now. It opens up new ventures for the MLB and brings a new perspective to the game for those in Cuba.


 

--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer 
Twitter: @e_morales1804


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FROM YANKEE STADIUM... WITH LOVE

It's never a bad day at the ballpark when you're there with friends. That's what I think anyway. So when the opportunity came to spend a Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium with my fellow BYB writers, of course I jumped at the chance. Who wouldn't want to spend a day hanging with baseball writers, at a baseball game, talking baseball?

After the opening festivities and Roll Call, we got to baseball. I'm the type that likes to get into the details of the game, like batting stances, pitch selection, the position of players in the field. I've noticed that for the casual fan this can get annoying sometimes. Not so when you're sitting next to a baseball genius like Jeana Bellezza. We got to talking about pitching arm angles and noticing how a slight drop was producing base hits and home runs. Then when Brett Gardner came to bat and his entrance music was blaring over the speakers, I said something about how it reflected the fact that he grew up in the South. "Holly Hill, South Carolina". You can't make this stuff up. I imagine that Jeana's house has a war room filled with player profiles pinned to the walls, but I digress. We endured the lack of Yankees hitting and the Robinson Cano home runs, though we did enjoy the serenading of Nelson Cruz toward the end of the game.

We got the families involved in the day too. Jeana brought her mom Linda and I brought my wife Heather. It was Heather's first time at a BYB gathering, and having her meet the gang was extra special for me.  Linda is a great lady who is always ready to share her thoughts and has decades of experience watching the Yankees. Erica Morales, another baseball genius, along with her husband Richie joined us later for dinner. It's hard to put into words what it was like sharing war stories, talking baseball, talking fantasy baseball, talking more baseball, and just sharing life.

It was the kind of day you hope to recall years later in a moment of nostalgia, of time spent with family and close friends that you admire and care about. Here at BYB, we talk a lot about family. Whether it's about coaching our kids' Little League, or supporting those in need, we believe in family and the values that go along with that. It impressed me how much it was true in our little group of writers. A bunch of great people, who I met through a common love of baseball and Yankees. I know this wasn't one of my typical pieces. And it wouldn't be an Ike piece without some stats, so here goes. The temperature almost reached 90 degrees, and the humidity reached close to 80%. It was a hot, humid day and it was brutal to be outside. The Yankees didn't even win. But it was a great day to be at the ballpark. I was there with friends.

--Ike Dimitriadis, BYB Senior Staff Writer
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon
My blog is: Shots from Murderer's Row






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WHERE WILL YOU BE WHEN AROD HITS 3000?

Is Alex Rodriguez forgiven? Have you allowed him to play and contribute to the Yankees this year and actually rooted the guy on? OR... are you still pissed... still holding a grudge because he's done what many of the others have done... cheated and lied. Ryan Braun is back in Milwaukee and it's like nothing happened.

Nelson Cruz is back to hitting homers, and it's like he just went on a short vacation.  Bartolo Colon was suspended. Melky Cabrera was and everyone is back now, and it's business as usual.

Guess what... I'm over it.  I've done my job as a parent. I've explained why it's wrong to cheat to my now 12 year old who loves baseball more than anything. I think I've made it clear that it's wrong and he understands that these players, while they are back, did something "illegal".  If I'm asked why they still get to play, I explain that I'm not on those meetings and then follow it up with, "Let me be very clear with you... it's not about them, it's about you.  Keep clean, keep your head down and work hard.  If you do that, you will be a success and everyone around you, you cannot control. You can only control you." That's it, end of story.

There is a milestone coming up though and it involves Alex Rodriguez.  And I ask you... where will you be when Alex hits his 3000th hit?  It's a big deal, whether he dabbled in PEDs or not and I'll tell you why;  PEDs makes you stronger, maybe you hit the ball further, but it can't make you hit the ball, and if you want to argue that that record is tainted too... I'll just shrug and suggest, I give up.

Call ARod a creep, a dick, a douche or a PEDs taking "ARoid".... pick the name... it makes no difference... 3000 hits is big. With 2987 right now, it's coming this season, and like him or hate him, you need to respect the achievement.  So I ask you... will you buy a ticket? Will you stand and applaud from where you are? Will you turn your back on the guy that looks like he's doing his job and then going home every night, trying to stay our of trouble?

No one is perfect, you're not either.  ARod is a role model that turned bad.  I won't allow my kids to admire this man for his wrongdoings, it was disappointing, but hitting a baseball is hard as hell, and 3000 is kind of a big deal.  You don't have to like him... but I would hope you at least tip your cap.

Remember, I'm not an ARod fan. I'm a baseball fan and I respect the game very much.  As a fan, I have my moments of frustration and happiness, but in the end, I just like great baseball.  3000 hits is great baseball, and on the night it happens, I'll smile witnessing that achievement. That's because it's big.

I'll be there.  Where will you be?

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!  Also, don't forget to check out the BYB Hub!

REDEMPTION CAN BE SWEET!

I think we remember all too well the struggles of the Yankees from the past two years and in particular last season after spending a half a billion dollars in the Steinbrenner's money to bring some veterans in. With the exception of Jacoby Ellsbury, none of the other newly signed players lived up to the expectations. As I thought about the recent Yankees games and took a peek at their stats though, I noticed something... Something we have been waiting for.

Carlos Beltran had an awful 2014 and started 2015 out in much the same manner. But in May, Beltran has shown a glimpse of the very good ballplayer that he is. For the month he is hitting .316 with three home runs and 11 RBI. He has also added a solid seven doubles and scored eight runs. His season average has crept from the .170 range all the way up to .245, where it stands following the Royals series. I'm thrilled for the guy. He was catching a lot of grief but he stuck it out and has really come back to play well. I love it.

Mark Teixeira has also come back in a huge way producing 14 home runs and 35 RBI over the first two months of the season. Not even two full months! He trails just Nelson Cruz in home runs in the AL and is tied for fourth in RBI. His .245 average could improve but the shift is killer for him. So screw the average, keep driving the ball! .245 is just fine to go with the power numbers in the latter years of his career.

When Brian McCann was signed prior to the 2014 season, he was seen as a great defensive catcher and one of the best hitting catchers in the game. He performed decent in 2014 at the plate, but we wanted more. His .239 average is below par, the shift doesn't help, but his six home runs and 29 RBI, including four and 17 respectively in May, are just what the middle of the order needs. He is on pace for over 100 RBI and that works!

Then there is Alex Rodriguez. He did not play a competitive ballgame for over 18 months but has come out in 2015 showing he still has some game. He started off on a tear in the first two weeks of April, cooled off some, but has come back alive as of late. For the month of May, ARod is batting .313 with six dingers and 13 RBI, plus five doubles and 14 runs scored. Not bad for a guy pushing 40! While I'm not the biggest ARod fan, I'm a Yankees fan so I root for his success because it's what's best for the Bombers.

On top of their recent successes, and I'm sure they all want more and more of it, they've all beaten adversity to get here. Whether it be injuries, suspensions, change of teams, age or the damn shift. But don't tell them that. The success must feel that much sweeter knowing that many felt they were done. No more glory days, no more moonshots, no more winning...

But even after a rough stretch, followed by a dominate sweep of the Royals, here are the Yankees, atop (a very mediocre) AL East. Not bad for a "washed up" team with no pitching.

  
Dan Lucia
BYB Writer
Twitter: @DManLucia

 






You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!  Also, don't forget to check out the BYB Hub!