Another week of baseball in the books. Can you believe that the season is already a quarter complete? We keep saying this, but: this is all so weird.
This past week was one the Yankees would like to forget. Games at Tropicana Field seem to do that to the Bombers. After beginning the week with a victory against the Phillies in the Bronx, things went south (literally and figuratively). The Yankees dropped two of three in the City of Brotherly Love and then three of four in Tampa Bay. At 10-6, the Yankees are still in first place and have a two game advantage on the Rays.
Before we get to the voting, let’s get into the latest on manager Aaron Boone:
- Air horns in Philly: A few fans outside of Citizens Bank Park apparently got under the Yankees’ skin last week. Some ill-timed air horns were a nuisance during the team’s series in Philadelphia, and the Yanks’ skipper wasn’t too happy about it. He had an animated conversation with the umpiring crew, but was told there was no recourse. (Marly Rivera)
- A Misunderstanding? Boone and hitting coach Marcus Thames were ejected in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader. Thames went first and Boone was livid (see video at top). Boone didn’t get into details regarding what was said, but he did indicate that Thames did nothing to deserve an ejection. (Brendan Kuty)
- On Miguel Andújar’s role: The Yankees sent down 2018 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up Miguel Andújar. There haven’t been at-bats for Miggy and he didn’t do much in limited opportunities. Like with Clint Frazier before, Boone noted how difficult it was to demote Andújar. He also mentioned that he may have been pressing in his few chances to shine. Finally, Boone also discussed the challenge that Miggy (and any player) faces in going from full-time to part-time, but didn’t think it was out of the realm for him to get comfortable as a role player. He cited how Mike Tauchman was an everyday player in Colorado’s system and it took him some time to find his sea legs with the Yankees. (Randy Miller)
- Down goes Giancarlo: Boone had to pinch hit for Giancarlo Stanton on Saturday. We later learned that Stanton is dealing with a tight left hamstring, apparently suffered while running the bases earlier in the game. He’s getting an MRI today and is going on the injured list. Boone expects him to be out “at least the next week or so”. As for Stanton’s absence in the DH spot: the manager says he’ll get a little creative. (Pete Caldera)
- On Gary Sánchez’s struggles: It’s been a brutal start to the Yankees’ backstop’s season. Gary is at .103/.222/.205 (30 wRC+) through 45 plate appearances. The skipper is well aware of his slump, of course, but he reiterated his confidence in Sánchez offensively. Boone seemed to indicate that Gary is pressing: “…just a little bit racing out there, kind of chasing that hit a little bit” (Brendan Kuty). Additionally, Boone held Gary blameless for the wild pitch Zack Britton uncorked yesterday. (Howie Kussoy)
- Chirp chirp: There was a bit of back-and-forth between the Yankees’ and Rays’ dugouts in yesterday’s series finale. Players on both sides were asked about it. Boone didn’t have too much to say about it, though: “Intense series, quiet stadiums, there’s back and forth all the time”. (Ken Davidoff)
And now, to the polls:
Last week’s results after the jump:
