The Yankees are on a roll right now, after their win yesterday they have won EIGHT consecutive series. And because of their extra “off-days” last week, they are technically in first place in the AL East, holding a .017 better winning percentage than Boston (.698 to Boston's .681).
There are lots of things to talk about in Yankee Land today, as the team travels to Arlington to start a three game series against the Rangers (18-30, 5th place AL West).
Here are the scheduled pitching match-ups for the series:
Monday: NYY (Masahiro Tanaka 4-2, 4.73 ERA) @ TEX (Bartolo Colon 2-1, 2.82 ERA)
Tuesday: NYY (Domingo German 0-1, 4.26 ERA) @ TEX (Cole Hamels 2-4, 3.48 ERA)
Wednesday: NYY (CC Sabathia 2-1, 2.41 ERA) @ TEX (Doug Fister 1-4, 3.43 ERA)
Should be an interesting series, let's see if they can keep the offense going and snag another series win.
As of yesterday, following the 10-1 blow out of the Royals the Yankees sent Clint Frazier back to AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. I was a little disappointed that he didn’t stick around a little longer. I was secretly hoping he would get a chance to prove himself and slowly steal playing time away from Aaron Hicks. In his only appearance of his call-up Clint went 1 for 2 with a double and two walks as the DH on Saturday. Unfortunately for Red Thunder, Aaron Hicks actually showed up this series going 7 for 12 (.583) with a triple and his second inside the park home run - Hicks has four home runs total this year. Not sure if Hicks had sensed the Frazier call-up as a threat to his playing time, but he certainly silenced any doubt that he belongs in this lineup... at least for now. I’m still not 100% sold on Hicks, but as long as he produces, you won’t hear any complaints from me.
First baseman Tyler Austin is stating his case to stick around. Saturday, Austin had his second multi-homer game of the season, belting his 7th and 8th of the season. He leads all rookies with home runs (Yes, due to service time he is still considered a rookie). He struggled a little when he returned from his five game suspension, but has now seemed to work through his struggles, getting his average back up to a solid .261. If he continues this upward trent, it would defintely make the roster situation a little more interesting. Greg Bird is due back soon, as his recovery stint has sent him to AAA to continue his rehab. With Bird on the verge of coming back and Austin producing... what happens with Neil Walker? My guess that because Tyler Austin still has options, they will send him down to get regular at bats, which is unfortunate if he is productive and playing well on the big league level. I hightly doubt the Yankees will release someone like Neil Walker this early in the season. I may be in the minority here, but I am looking forward to Bird coming back. I really hope he can stay healthy and on the field, as he is the left handed power bat they desperately need right now, especially with Didi’s continued struggles. If Bird can come back strong, he would be nice to have split up Judge and Stanton. Or Stanton and Sanchez.
Sonny Gray easily had his best outing of the season (if not his Yankee career) on Sunday, tossing eight innings and only giving up one run on four hits. Gray had very good control only walking one batter. For someone that relies on control, movement and the changing of speeds - walks have been a bit of an issue, walking at least two batters in each of his previous starts. The key with Gray is his rhythm; if he can establish a good pace, it keeps hitters more off balanced in the batters box. I know I said this before, but I would love to see him build off this start and use this performance as a turning point to his season. I know this was against a very bad Royals team, but he needs to start somewhere. I see Gray as a very vital piece to this rotation, especially with the 5th starter spot in limbo. The Yankees need him to perform consistently, and need him to give them innings. Eight innings of one run ball in every start is a tad unrealistic, but 6-7 solid innings consistently would be a major help to this team.
With both Tyler Austin and Aaron Hicks heating up over the last series, it has me wondering (with the Yankees having depth in the outfield and at first base) could either of these players become trade pieces to help the Yankees acquire a proven starting pitcher? I fall under the belief that you can never have too much pitching - especially with the rate of which pitchers are injured these days. With Bird getting healthier by the day, and with Clint Frazier playing well (and the possibility of signing a player like Bryce Harper or AJ Pollock in the offseason) would you use Austin and/or Hicks to acquire a pitcher like Cole Hamels at the trade deadline? Or even now while their stock is rising? There has already been lots of clamoring about a potential Hamels swap, as the Rangers are in last place in their division. They're the only team under .500. According to multiple sources, the Yankees, Phillies and Braves are all interested in Hamels. I am on the fence with this one, Hamels (34) is a proven starter and brings a veteran presence to the clubhouse, but if you are going to give up Hicks and/or Austin for someone, shouldn't it be to invest in a young and proven arm for the future and not just a rental?
What do you think? Should the Yankees hang on to Austin and Hicks for depth purposes? Or should they use them as trade pieces? Should they go after Hamels? Or take aim at a younger starter?
What do you think will happen when Bird is ready? Do you ride out Austin's hot streak and let Bird stay in AAA? Or bring in Bird immediately? Would you release Walker and keep Austin as the backup?
What are your thoughts about Aaron Hicks? Do you think he has the staying power? Is he a legitimate everyday centerfielder? Or is this just a quick hot streak?
I am curious to hear what you have to say! Please share your thoughts in the comments below.