The Yankees started a 7 game home-stand by losing a series to the 53-80 Chicago White Sox. The Yanks lost 2 of 3, and in fact, if not for a dramatic comeback win in the middle game where they were down 4-0, they would have gotten swept.
Yes, the rebuilding White Sox have played well of late, winning 11 of 15, but this was their first series win in the Bronx since 2005.
The Yanks are 9-3 in their last 12 games but have now slipped back to 7 1/2 games back of 1st place Boston, after cutting the lead to 5 1/2 going into the White Sox series. The Yankees played sloppy and uninspired ball vs. Chicago. How sloppy? Through the first 14 innings of the series the Yankees had more errors than hits. That’s sloppy!
The Detroit Tigers come to the Bronx next with the same record as the W-Sox (53-80), before the Yankees go on a road trip to the west coast that includes the A’s & Mariners. The Yanks are injured, tired & beat-up, and feeling the effects of the 90+ degrees dog-days of summer, but must take advantage of the remaining 4 games of a soft part of their schedule before heading out west.
One interesting off-the-field issue to keep an eye on .. will the Yankees make a move before tomorrow’s (August 31st) waiver trade deadline? Many have pointed out that Justin Smoak would be a good addition at 1B, with Greg Bird continuing to struggle. Even though that seems like a logical option (he’d be too costly), if the Yanks do make a move, I would target an outfielder. Why? 3 reasons 1) Aaron Judge has not even picked up a bat yet. 2) Stanton has been nursing a hamstring strain & needs to go back to spending more time at DH 3) Neil Walker is the best bat off the bench to play the field in Judge’s absence, but he is not a good fielding right-fielder. He however is a good defensive first-baseman, and can fill-in at 1B if Bird’s struggles continue, along with Luke Voit.
Two outfielders that have cleared waivers: Andrew McCutchen and, a familiar name .. Curtis Granderson.
As Frankie Valli would say .. See you in September.
Go Yankees !!
