photo credit: Wendell Cruz-USA Today Sports
The Yankees had a successful yet nerve-racking series with Toronto this week. Though they would split the series two games apiece, some Yankee weaknesses were exposed throughout. The pitching at points was tough to watch. Monday’s matchup featured Jameson Taillon, who struggled as a Yankee in 2021 and battled injuries down the stretch. Despite allowing a two-run home run to George Springer, he had a spectacular outing. Allowing five hits, striking out six, and not allowing a walk. Though he surrendered a handful of hits to the Jays, he made their lineup work for them, as his location skill showcased in full effect Monday evening. Unfortunately, the Yankees lineup would run into current-and-future Yankee killer Alek Manoah. Manoah was lights out on the bump, allowing one hit and striking out seven, walking four. In total, Yankees’ sluggers would strike out nine times for the game and never generated real momentum after the first inning of work.
Tuesday’s matchup would showcase fan-favorite, Nasty Nestor. Nestor Cortes proved on Tuesday he is more than just a fifth starter to a rotation, but a key piece to the pitching success of the Yankees. Through 4-⅓ innings, Cortes would only allow three hits and sit down five, which would put him at the best pitching outing this series by a Yankee. Along with offensive assists from Aaron Hicks and Giancarlo Stanton, the Bronx Bombers, would claim the second of four matchups by a final score of 4-0.
Wednesday may have been the matchup that begins the worries for Yankee fans. Gerrit Cole would receive his second start of the season, and though he would not claim the decision in this game (maintaining his perfect 0-0 record), Cole was struggling. Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made sure he was aware of it by taking him deep twice. Cole still went on to strike out six and only walk one but surrendered three runs. To make matters worse, Vlad Jr. would have his way with Jonathan Loaisiga in the eighth inning, going yard for the third time that night and putting the contest out of reach for the Yankees. The third home run for Vlad Jr. would ultimately be the game-winning run for the Jays, as the final score was 6-4, giving the Blue Jays a 2-1 series lead.
After the weather-related theatrics on Thursday, the Yankees and Blue Jays would finally face off approximately 90 minutes after the game’s original start time. They would feature Luis Severino on the mound for the pinstripes. Sevy would dominate the Jays, going a full five innings, sitting down six, and walking two, allowing no runs. So far, Jose Trevino has had his best appearance as a Yankee, going two-for-three with two singles and two RBI. Both runs would be scored by Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who also went three-for-three with two singles, a double, and two runs scored. To close out the game, Aroldis Chapman would find a way to make the game interesting as only he could, allowing three straight walks to load the bases with no outs. Thankfully for Yankee fans, Michael King came to save the day and made quick work of the Jays, securing the save and tying the series with Toronto 2-2.
In this series, Aaron Judge (somewhat) found his groove, going overall 3-for-15, with a home run, RBI, a run scored, six strikeouts, and two walks. Though we all know Judge can and will be better than that, Judge looked more comfortable at the plate each appearance, which Yankee fans could hope is a good sign for things to come in the near future. Gerrit Cole is somewhat a concerning case. He hasn’t looked like himself, dating back to the AL Wild Card of 2021. Under the assumption that he will get the starting nod for Sunday’s matinee with Baltimore, Yankee fans can only hope he will get back to his Cy Young ways sooner rather than later and help the Yankees increase their early lead in the AL East standings.
Above all, what may stand out most is the alarming number of strikeouts for the entirety of the Yankees through this series—striking out 33 times over a four-game series doesn’t seem like much. When you do the math, that’s nearly a 31% strikeout rate over 108 plate appearances. Although Yankee fans are all very, very, VERY well aware of the strikeout totals that come with this lineup, that doesn’t make it acceptable. Although this series managed to finish as a split, it could have easily been a 3-1, even 4-0 sweep if the Yankees’ plate discipline was even a half percent better than it showed these last few days.
The Yankees moved up in the overall standings of the AL East so that the series could be classified as a success. However, they are in the first place by a technicality of run differential, tied with the Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays. These next three games in Baltimore are crucial to extending their lead in the division. With the Blue Jays taking on the struggling Oakland Athletics and the Rays taking on the Chicago White Sox, the Yankees need to bring their A-Game to Baltimore.
