photo credit: Corey Sipkin
Based on the way things have gone since April 15th, it’s reasonable to hope the Yankees’ can have a big homestand to generate momentum. The Yanks welcome the rebranded Cleveland Guardians to the Bronx for the weekend as they look to gain separation from division rivals in the AL East standings.
New York Yankees (7-6, 2nd AL East) vs. Cleveland Guardians (7-5, 1st AL Central)
The Cleveland Guardians, a team most expected to be in the basement of their division this season, have surprised most with their promising start to 2022. With the charge led by none other than Jose Ramirez, Cleveland looks as if they can prove some people wrong this season and make some noise within their division. Though it’s hard to believe the Chicago White Sox won’t be storming forward to claim the division at some point, The Guardians surely will not make it easy. With support from surprise players like Steven Kwan, who has 13 hits in 34 at-bats and 7 RBI, and support from more well-known cast members like Franmil Reyes and J-Ram, who have combined for 24 RBIs thus far, will be the players the Yankee’s pitching needs to keep silent for this series to sway in the bombers favor.
Players to watch: all of them
There’s no joke here. The Yankees have been borderline abysmal at the plate. Runs are not generated in critical situations. The big bats are not showing up when needed most, and it will cost the Yankees their season down the stretch. In reality, we all know what Josh Donaldson, Giancarlo Staton, Joey Gallo, and Aaron Judge are capable of when red hot. We’re talking 25-30, even 40 home runs and nearly 100 RBI. But this also comes at a cost. That cost is roughly 650 strikeouts (based on the combined strikeout total for 2021). Yes, we know that power hitters come with more strikeouts, but 600?! Come on now. Doing some quick math, striking out 650 times is the equivalent of striking out 27 times in a row for roughly 24 games straight. That’s absolute insanity. And when you factor that each of these players strikes out 2-3 times a game, it’s a recipe for disaster, and the Yankees’ sluggers have to figure it out. It hurts me to do this, but I have the Guardians taking this series 2-1. The Yankee offense hasn’t proven that they are not as lethal as we all hoped it would or could be. Again, I want to be wrong, and I hope I am. But sitting here at 4:03 AM on Friday, I just don’t see it. There is work to be done at the dish for this clubhouse, and all any of us can do is sit back, wait, and hope.
