Yesterday was a Janer, as we call it when an offense hits 10 or more runs in a victory. The score against the O’s was 15-3 – my kind of game. No stress. No nonsense. Just homer after homer. Clint Frazier is fulfilling the mantra of “guys will step up with all the injuries.” And Gary Sanchez is making up for all his defensive woes (except I still get mad when he makes errors). The boys needed a game like yesterday’s to at least boost their confidence after a dismal first week or so. Torres, in particular, has to feel good about the way he’s contributing. And all the offense has to alleviate some of the pressure on Judge to be the strong man.
Tonight’s matchup of Tanaka vs. Verlander should be a good one.
A Janer! What fun! Jane, I’m not sure about you but I fully embrace the homers and I think some fans that complain about it are crazy! And sure, it was against the unrecognizable O’s but it’s still an impressive feat from an injury riddled team like our Yanks. This is exactly what I need to boost my spirits in the morning. I smile a little harder and always get a little extra pep in my step. Sanchez, Torres, Frazier, etc all stepping up to carry the offense. Now I just need to see Voit and Bird to also step up as I don’t know if I could handle another season with bad production from first base. The real test begins tonight. The Astros are the first great team we are facing so hopefully we can keep up with them.
You don’t know I love homers? How much clearer could I be? Lol.
Lol of course. I should’ve been more clearer. I meant more on the narrative that I hear so many times about the Yanks hitting too many homers and rely on them too much and can’t be clutch without them. Do I want to see more clutch hits that aren’t just homers? Yes of course because the best pitchers rarely give up homers. But I’ll continue to embrace what makes us the Bronx Bombers. This is how Cashman built the team. Homers are NOT a bad thing!
Hi Jane,
It’s been a very long time since I’ve written – probably a few years – but I check your website every day and eagerly awaited your 2019 entries.
My daughter Barbara and I have been suffering through a most disheartening start of the season. The older I get (I turned 90 last October) the more it seems to me that there is growing tendency to overrate the team. The vaunted relief staff has been almost worthless and has cost us game after game. The injuries, of course, are tough but that’s part of sports and the really good teams battle through. It does not seem to me that this years team will be a serious contender. Will Bird ever hit consistently? Sanchez is a threat at the plate but he is als a threat behind the plate. Judge, as good as he is, can’t carry the team on his back.
Sorry to sound so pessimistic – maybe I’ve been spoiled by the great teams of the McCarthy, Stengel and Torre years and I don’t have 10 years to wait for another dynasty
All the best to you and please keep posting even if there aren’t as many correspondents as you would like.
Harold
Harold, how wonderful to hear your thoughts. The only positive response I can offer is that the Red Sox may be overrated too. They’re off to just as miserable a start, for example. I think we’re all spoiled by teams from other eras and I’m not a fan of Boone’s management (the bullpen in particular), but the players seem to like him better than they liked Girardi, so that’s something. Would things be different if all the injured were healthy? Probably. We need to keep in mind that having Severino and Didi would have given us a boost, not to mention Hicks. Tulowsiski? Eh. I have to think Cashman could have done better (and no, not by paying $$$ for Machado). So give it time. See where we are around Memorial Day. Meanwhile, take care of yourself and happy belated 90th!
Hey Jane. And now more new injury news as if we didn’t already have enough already. Severino is now down for a minimum of six weeks more with the Grade II lat strain. That news was worse for me than losing the series to the Astros. What are your thoughts of going after Keuchel? He’s not the dominant force that he was back in 2015 but if he’s willing to accept a 1 year deal, I don’t see why we shouldn’t go after him. I don’t know about you but the thought of relying on Loaisiga and German for an extended period scares me a bit as they’re still unproven. I’m confident the pen will turn it around but the starters need to start pitching at least 6 quality innings. Preferably more when possible. We have a deep pen but I don’t want to overuse them or we risk having them tire out come the playoffs. CC’s coming back but he’s older and as of last year, usually can’t go the distance when he pitches.
Severino’s setback was tough, Leo, and I do think Cashman would be wise to sign either Keuchel or just about any viable starter. Limping by for weeks or months with German, who’s been great and shows potential, and Lasagna (can’t help it) or even Cessa isn’t the way to go over the long haul. He needs to trade for another Happ or Paxton.