It’s not that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy the Yankees’ 8-0 beatdown of the Red Sox last night, but watching Sale look utterly lost on the mound was puzzling. He’s 0-4 this season and the Sox’s “ace” hasn’t been very ace-like. He says he doesn’t know why. Usually, players are hurt when they suddenly forget how to pitch and don’t want to say anything or they get paid a ton of money and start feeling the pressure of their big contracts. But Sale always seemed immune to all that. Oh well. Not my problem.
On our end, James Paxton pitched like….the former Chris Sale! He was brilliant and whatever nerves he felt going into his first Yankees-Red Sox contest must have settled down. No longer tipping his pitches, he owned their offense. I’d love to see him maintain that kind of dominance throughout the season.
The hitters feasted on Red Sox pitching, even guys like Tauchman, and it was fun.
I was sorry to read about Greg Bird yesterday and his latest malady, but as talented as he is, he’s just too injury prone and I’m afraid we’ve seen the last of him in pinstripes.
Also sad – and this has nothing to do with baseball – my local hockey team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, had the best record in hockey by far this season and yet they were swept last night in the playoffs by the Columbus Blue Jackets, whoever they are. I honestly don’t know how these things happen but I’ve seen it time and time again: teams suddenly go cold. Weird.
Hey Jane. I missed last night’s game unfortunately but it wa a joyous watching the highlights and the condensed game earlier today. Paxton was brilliant. This is the pitcher that we need consistently to carry our rotation while we remain unsure how Severino will return or even if he does. Even better was that it was against the Sox. The rivalry is no longer what it once was but I get just as happy anytime we beat them nonetheless. Sale isn’t our problem as you said. Let’s beat him again and again. The offense scoring 8 runs was encouraging with a depleted lineup with surprising contributions from guys like Tauchman. Let’s do it again tonight! Oh yeah and sorry to hear about Bird but now it’s time to find a first baseman. I still don’t have complete faith in Voit on his own to carry the high offensive bar that we should expect from first base.
If you missed the game, you missed a touch of the rivalry reborn, Leo. Gardner was buzzed near the head with a pitch and he took a LONG stare at the pitcher (a reliever, not Sale). I was sure he was about to charge the mound but he walked to first. No brawl. Whew.