After a weekend series that contained TWO rainouts and a mini-sweep of the Baltimore Orioles, the Yankees have now moved on to a quick stop in Detroit make-up doubleheader from two previous rainouts this season. Today is only June 4th, and the Yankees have already been rained out/suspended SEVEN times! Adding all sorts of doubleheaders to their schedules. The number of doubleheaders is going to be out of control... not that I am complaining, because who doesn't love an entire day of baseball? But, from a manager's standpoint - I can see how this could create an issue with fatigued players and the increasing chance of injury. You can already sense Aaron Boone's frustration. Now, I am not 100% sure of the order in which this unfolded, but yesterday ESPN pushed back a previously scheduled day game on July 8th against the Toronto Blue Jays to Sunday Night Baseball starting at 8:00 pm - in Toronto. I know what you're thinking - Blue Jays are must see baseball this season as they are currently sitting in 4th place in the AL East with an astonishing 26-33 record. Well, following yesterday's postponed game with Baltimore it was announced they would make the game up with a split-doubleheader on Monday, July 9th. For those of you that are not familiar with what a split doubleheader is, I shall clarify. Today's doubleheader against Detroit will be played at 1:00pm and 7:00pm, respectively. Those start times shall allow players plenty of time to play both games with some rest in-between. The scheduled split-doubleheader on July 9th with Baltimore is slated for 4:00 and 7:30 - basically meaning the second game will start almost right after the first game ends. Now, if the Yankees had an off-day before this, or a day game there would likely be no complaints. BUT, now that ESPN has pushed their Sunday tilt with Toronto from a day game to a late-night game, it has manager Aaron Boone already frustrated. Boone wants ESPN to change the game time back to a day game simply quoted as saying "unlock it" in referring to his former employer. I mean, think about it - if the Yankees play will have to play a night game in Canada, then fly to Baltimore and play two more games - if you're counting at home, that's three games in a 24-hour span - what could possibly go wrong? No safety concerns whatsoever! (That was sarcasm...). Is the Yankees/Blue Jays game the most interesting game ESPN could choose from that day? Some might argue the Dodgers/Angels matchup would be better, or based on their record today - Atlanta (35-24)/Milwaukee (37-23)... Think it's coincidence that from deep in the heart of Red Sox nation, ESPN selected this Yankees/Blue Jays game? Maybe... but I certainly don't think it was. I know, the Yankees are a big draw, and that's what you get for being a very popular team - but, something just seems off and I hardly believe MLB and the MLBPA will and ESPN will not compromise on something for the safety of the players. What do you think of these shenanigans? Do you think it was purely coincidental? Do you agree with Boone about his concern for the health and safety of his players? Even if this wasn't the Yankees, this scheduling arrangement is not right and should be fixed...
So, as I have already mentioned there is a lot going on in Yankee Land today. Today they make a brief stop in Detriot to play a make-up doubleheader that was originally postponed on April 15th. The Tigers have been playing much better of late, going 7-3 in their last 10 games, and currently sit in second place in the AL Central division with a 28-31 record (I know, 3 games below .500 and in second place - the AL Central is arguably the worst division in baseball this season). The Tigers just finished a 3-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays, taking the series 2-1. They also have won their previous two series against the Angels (3-1) and the White Sox (2-1). Their offense is basically carried by Nick Castellanos (.336/.378/.527) and the rejuvenated Miguel Cabrera (.320/.395/.495), eventhough the power numbers are down - both in the midst of very good seasons. A lot of people were writing Miggy off a year ago, after arguably the worst season of his career.
Isn't that crazy? Five teams in the AL Central, and only one of them has a winning record, Cleveland (30-28). I know at the beginning of the season, that was such a concern with so many teams supposedly "tanking" this season. But, several of these teams are just simply underperforming (notably the Minnesota Twins). It will just be interesting to see if these teams float around mediocrity the rest of the season, or one of these teams goes on a run. The Indians are more than capable - as we've seen over the past few seasons with their abundance of talent. I think it's only a matter of time...
For the doubleheader today, the pitching matchups will be as follows:
Monday 06/04 - Game 1: NYY (Luis Severino, 8-1, 2.31 ERA) @ DET (Drew VerHagen, 0-1, 6.30 ERA)
Monday 06/04 - Game 2: NYY (Domingo German, 0-3, 5.45 ERA) @ DET (Mike Fiers, 4-3, 4.45 ERA)
I would look to Severino to carry on in his dominant ways, but I am more interested in tonight's starter's performance. Domingo German. I know I have said a few times that this experiment has gone on for too long - but his last start really wasn't that bad. He gave up the early home run and really settled in afterwards. I really would like to see him build off of it and Detroit could be a good team to do that against. I am not expecting him to dominate - however 5-6 innings of a few runs and locating his pitches would be nice.
Another nice note about today's doubleheader is that the Yankees have called up OF Clint Frazier to be their 26th man - and he will be starting in Left Field in Game 1 today. Teams are allowed 26 players on the roster only for doubleheaders.
Also, today marks the first day of the 2018 MLB Draft, and the Yankees have the 23rd overall pick. There is much speculation that the Yankees will stick with a simple approach by drafting what they believe to be the best player available when their number is called. I would expect the Yankees to take a pitcher, because you really can never have too much pitching. Other areas I would expect the Yankees to improve is with their corner-infield spots. I believe there isn't much depth beyond Andujar and Drury, nor behind Bird and Austin... The Yankees still have the #6 ranked Minor League system, but you can always get deeper.
Last year, with the 16th overall pick, the Yankees selected RHP Clarke Schmidt out of University of South Carolina. If I remember correctly, it was their highest first round pick in the draft in quite some time. Schmidt had fallen due to his rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery. Schmidt is currently on the 60-DL with Class A Tampa - he has yet to pitch in a game for the organization.
Let us know your thoughts about the draft! What areas do you think the Yankees need to address?