Nestor Cortes (#65, 29, LHP, 0-0, ) vs. Framber Valdez (#59, 30, LHP, 0-0, )
YANKEES
2B G. Torres R
RF Juan Soto L
CF Aaron Judge R
DH G. Stanton R
1B A. Rizzo L
SS A. Volpe R
LF Alex Verdugo L
C Jose Trevino R
3B O. Cabrera S
ASTROS
2B Jose Altuve R
DH Y. Alvarez L
RF Kyle Tucker L
3B Alex Bregman R
1B Jose Abreu R
LF C. McCormick R
C Yainer Diaz R
SS Jeremy Pena R
CF Jake Meyers R
I gotta say, it sure is nice to see Juan Soto and Aaron Judge batting back-to-back.
It would be nicer if I had any faith in Nestor Cortes whatsoever, of course, but hey, better than nothing!
Welcome to the regular season, everyone, I hope you survive the experience!
And a new season begins today! Will they keep the consecutive winning season streak? I feel like that’s more likely to fall than a new banner is to wave.
I think this offense will be plenty to ensure a winning season.
I think you’re probably right, but I wouldn’t be stunned if Nestor and Rodon were both so garbage this year that it’ll be close. Hopefully they’re not garbage!
Yeah, if the pitching totally collapses, it could be ugly. I don’t think it will be that bad though.
What’s that L next to some of the players’ names?
Two letters it’s always good to see!
The one next to Nestor?
rodon and gil, a formidable tandem!
Either could be good or terrible. Gil had a good Spring and he was good here when he threw strikes. Rodon was good and if his back is still a problem will suck. I fear Cortes’s future is in the past.
yea I have little faith in cortes, but a lot of faith in beeter and weaver. gil just looks explosive – extremely high fb velon and spin rate paired with excellent control. rodon, imo, was fucking around with grips and pitches in many of his st starts. I nother words, he was doing what a high aav sp should be doing in spring training.
“Gunnar” is a dumb name.
I appreciate Trout already having a homer off of Burnes.
fudge ya
Too bad Pablo Sandoval is Pablo Sandoval.
Baseball!
Gleyber working the count.
EDITED TO ADD: And then struck out on a ball.
No David Cone on opening day?
I like this soto chap
I can knock Judge for the DP, I guess, but not for swinging first pitch.
Womp
Soto walk, Judge GIDP. Yankee baseball at its finest.
Nestor is better than most of you seem to think. You’ll see!
Big #99
Nestor was bad before he became good. We’ve been expecting a pumpkin. Is this the year?
I, for one, prefer Good Nestor to Bad Nestor.
Battle Nestor or bad Nestor?
crappy command for Nestor so far
That was a pretty pathetic 2-2 pitch, and an even worse 3-2 pitch.
Suboptimal
Wish I were surprised.
Good to see they’re wasting no time in showing us they’re a 4th place in the AL East team. Don
In all seriousness, this is just some bad luck in terms of when Cole got hurt. Had he gotten hurt earlier in the Spring, Nestor wouldn’t have gotten this start. Nestor is obviously not at the top of the Yankee rotation, and they can live with him being a mediocre #4. Starting him as a #1, though, is going to have some shitty results like this.
I think it was just timing. I think they consider Rodon and Stroman 1/2.
Oh, agreed, that’s what I mean, though. Nestor was never intended to be more than a back of the rotation guy this season. They should have went out and gotten another guy to make him less necessary, but the main thing is that this is more like Carl Pavano starting Game 1.
No off days first 7 games. Thats got to be a first and dumb.
bring in… the clowns
Rodon is the much more important guy. If he and Nestor BOTH suck, then yes, they’re fucked, and really, it makes them look like complete assholes going into the season with Rodon and Nestor both as HUGE question marks.
id be surprised if cortes wasn’t replaced by warren somewhat soon
Choke up, drop in a blooper. Little League and high school coaches the country over are doing the Leo/Once Upon a Time move at their TVs right now
Well, THAT sucked.
At least they have Trevino’s better game calling to help Nestor.
Was there ever a more predictable outcome than that?
NO.
Consistency!
Also, why is Cabrera batting BEHIND Trevy?
Lefty, right, lefty that is Boone’s mantra. Trevy is a 9 hitter.
The new line up construction fad is putting your worst hitter 8th so if/when you turn the lineup over, the top of the lineup has a higher chance of hitting with a man on.
Nestor just needs Altuve to bat more often
I mean, come the heck on, Nestor.
But nothing matters.
Forget I said anything.
cortes should try throwing knuckleballs, and as we all know, there’s no better time than now
Should Nestor have even started the second
With no off days, I think it’s probably more important to just let him soak up some innings.
Yankees have more depth than that. cortes is a marked man
If this pattern persists, Nestor will only allow a third of a run in the third!
That 1-0 strike by Valdez was one of the best pitches I’ve ever seen.
this ump is pretty good.
Right before he calls Soto out on a ball.
Oh man, now there can’t be a double play this inning.
Looking at this inning, and it’s just shocking to me thinking back to just HOW poorly Nestor approached Abreu and McCormick in the first inning. I mean, holy shit, was it bad.
“Hmmm…go at guys, or fuck around with shit until it fucks me? I guess the latter!”
He had no control after the first two abs that inning
I’m excited for Cortes to settle down for the next inning or so only to totally fall apart if the Yankees make it close
He’ll fall apart next stop.
Also, batting Stanton fourth today was a nice gesture, but it better be Rizzo batting fourth going forward (until Gleyber gets to take the spot back once DJ returns to suck in the leadoff spot due to his hurt foot).
Double play is alive again!
I’m kinda surprised neither Judge nor Stanton have managed to get hurt yet.
Giancarlo wanted a DP so badly, but just couldn’t pull it off.
How do you let that roll? You probably don’t get Stanton, but you have a CHANCE. There was NO chance that ball was going to roll foul.
Very odd play
Fuck, Rizzo gave that a ride for a moment there.
At least Rizzo looks like his normal self again.
That looked nice off the bat, but I guess he just missed it.
Here comes the DP. The only question is HOW will the DP happen? Thrown out at the plate on a flyball? Oooh…maybe Judge also gets hurt trying to score on the flyball!
Volpe looking good so far. But he did to start the season last year too.
I’m surprised Verdugo was taking 2-0.
In-fucking-sane.
Credible
It’s good that Framber at least looks like shit, too (doesn’t help TODAY, but maybe he’ll have an off season overall).
Just getting a TON of luck from the DP ball.
Nice pitch to try to pull Vertigo.
That was a really nice piece of hitting by Pena.
Don’t know if I like the newer comments/older comments.
The only options are that or no page break at all. I think we don’t want no page break, right?
I’m starting to warm on Cortes. He just pitched like a complete moron to Abreu and McCormick. Otherwise, he’s been fine today (solo home runs happen, can’t complain about that too much).
Seven baserunners in 4 innings,0 runs, 3 DPs
I’ve moved the page limit to 75 comments before a break.
Holy shit, Waldo, what the fuck 1-1 swing was that?!
Waldo desperately tried to make it four GPs right there.
Gleyber or Judge – who will get the DP this inning?
Perhaps Soto, instead.
No dp? How?
Again?!
Soto!
3-0 to 3-1 to 3-2 to DP would be a pretty normal Gleyber at-bat.
Now Soto and Judge both have chances for DP. Perhaps a TP for Soto.
This could be interesting.
What’s the count on Soto? 2-1 or 1-2?
Keeping the TP alive for Judge.
Nice 0-1 pitch to Judge. He knew what Judge was looking to do.
This ump is having a night
Some terrible calls helping the Yankees too
Wow, what a shitty at-bat by Judge. Now Stanton for the DP.
Worse AB by Gianni
Got fucked on strike one.
Okay, that was a really nice 1-2 pitch by Valdez. Stanton is dumb, but that was a nice pitch. No DP this inning, though!
Fuck, where did that hit Rizzo!?
i wish I loved anything the way Stanton loves hacking at pitches low and outside.
No chance for either once the ump opened the zone to right below the knee
Yep!
Rizzo to DL?
It miiiiiiiight be okay.
They’re going to have to amputate both his hands. It’s the only way to be sure.
That’s how you love the other team’s relievers to pitch when they enter the game.
Verdugo not exactly endearing himself so far.
Cue Cortes’ second melt down
You gotta love that Nestor hustle.
Honestly, you gotta love that Yordan hustle, too!
I’m not thrilled with the idea of using Lo in a game they’re trailing.
I’ll be honest, my concern about Nestor has been his health. That he just never fully healed from his major injury last year. So when he sucked in the first, I was ready to say, “Okay, the injury ruined him.”
However, I think that’s not the case. I think he just pitched really terribly to Abreu and McCormick. Otherwise, he’s been pretty darn normal today. Not amazing, but decent enough. Two bad at-bats isn’t that big of a deal.
I’m now much more bullish on Nestor being a decent pitcher for the Yankees (not a #1 or a #2, but at least a decent #3/4).
I didn’t see the last inning, but cortes’s command looked terrible from what I did see. no bite on his twoseam or cutter
It WAS terrible, and I was afraid that that was just who he is now, but he’s been SO much sharper in every other inning that I think it was a bad job by him that inning.
Like how Framber had a bad game, even though he’s a good pitcher.
Yeah totally lost it about 1/2 through the Alvarez ab
Waldo!!!
Boy, if only Waldo was up in the second with the bases loaded instead of Trevy.
Oswaldo!
There’s Waldo!
You don’t normally see Soto fooled by THAT much. Wow.
Total number of home runs Waldo-1, Soto plus Judge plus Stanton-none. You can’t predict baseball.
Two really nice pieces of hitting by Pena today.
I hate when good Yankee relievers have innings like this, where it’s not like they’re getting hit hard, but they’re just falling in.
I did NOT get that Singleton pinch hitting choice there. Meyers already had a home run today.
Everyone loves lasagna night.
Wow, this is bold to use Pressley in the 7th. Good for Espada.
Man, the junk Pressley is going to throw Stanton…
Holy shit, Giancarlo, could you do a worse job of hitting than that?!
Rizzo better be in the cleanup spot tomorrow. He looks like himself.
hmm.
good ol show bunt take strike. nothin beats it!
very nice volpe
It really was a hell of an at-bat after the silly fake bunt.
Here comes the Dugie DP.
Outside of that stupid show bunt, great pa from Volpe
Yep this is what was missing last year.
Vertigo TYM
Tym, verdugo?
If Vertigo makes out pinch hit Wells?
pressly looking pretty crappy
Thank goodness Judge didn’t hurt himself coming home.
Good enough
Good job.
Volpe seeing a lot of pitches and not trying to do too much. If he stays this patient he belongs at the top of the lineup.
we want wells!
It’s fascinating that Boone really is THAT much more confident in Trevy than Wells.
I think, I hope, if it were still tied Boone would’ve gone to Wells.
Altvue would probably have reached even had Gleyber gotten to that, so it’s no huge deal.
nice start to alvarez
Alvarez’s timing seems off. swing seems loopier than normal
Verdugo looks like he probably sells loosies to his teammates after the game.
Dugie made that look easy, and it was NOT easy.
great jump there
That would have been waaaaaaaay over Aaron Hicks’ head.
nice slash contact by Tucker though
Agreed. Really nice swing.
It was a lot to expect an oh-fer from Bregman.
can you add a comment refresh button after the last comment?
If Lo is going to be a multi-inning every few days guy, should he just pitch the 8th, as well?
Do NOT get using Scott here.
Scott’s made me look foolish, as he’s pitched really well so far.
Scott seems like a tough ab
The Yankees sure have a lot of guys who will expand the zone for you. Soto must blow the other pitchers’ minds when he comes up. “Uhm, aren’t you supposed to be swinging at my shit in the dirt?”
Diaz is having himself a game.
I Love You
TadIan Hamilton.Shit, the movie was actually called Win a Date With Tad Hamilton. Oh well, that wouldn’t have worked.
Holmes vs. a pinch-hitter and then Altuve, Alvarez and Tucker in the ninth?
Gulp.
Could they please score, like, 17 runs this inning?
Hader vs. Stanton is going to be high-larious.
Can you strike a guy out on two pitches?
That was the most perfunctory strikeout ever.
Hader’s already a beast without the ump giving him more than the plate. Volpe had no chance.
Yep!
Not gonna use Grisham up 1?
Yep, Holmes’ command is spotless tonight. This will be simple.
Fucking Holmes.
Awesome start, Holmes, awesome start.
Can you imagine trusting this dude in a fucking playoff game?
Are there any good closers available this year on the trade market?
It was fun having the lead for a while.
Oh fuck me. Bad Holmes?
At least Altuve won’t beat us.
alright, good stop
Boy, Gleyber sure does suck defensively.
Gleyber, what the fuck was that?
“Oh, I’m sorry, Gleyber, was it too hard for the ground ball to go right to you?”
The Guardians are always cheap, right? Maybe they’d trade Clase.
That was very surprising.
Nice throw and tag
Trevy, you expect that from, but wow, what a throw by Soto.
Maybe
He IS out, right?
Too close to overturn
Great play. Love to see Soto pumped about it. But if they had a natural CF and Judge was in right that wouldn’t have even been that close.
That’s what I said before that Grisham should be in OTOH do they run on Judge?
The angles yes has are not good for this play
The main thing, of course, is that Holmes and Gleyber are both terrible.
What a great closer Holmes is. Never had any doubt in him.
Nice win. Really nice recovery by Cortes.
Holmes please
Those gritty, gutty Yankees.
Sure, winning is great and all and beating the Astros at home is nice, but not really gonna juice the Pythag this way.
I love Kay’s “One of the most underappreciated players in the Majors, 5th in the AL MVP voting last year.” If you’re fifth in the AL MVP voting, how underappreciated are you?
Espada challenging that Trevy was illegally blocking the plate was such a silly challenge. I mean, I get it, no point in NOT challenging it, but still pretty silly.
But that’s exactly it.
In their place, I’d challenge.
But I had no doubt of the outcome.
I’d challenge the tag. I wouldn’t challenge the thing I knew he clearly didn’t do. You could at least argue he missed him with the tag.
I suppose. Amazingly, there was no camera view from the left field line.
Best win of the year so far.
And that’s why you don’t pinch hit for Trevi up a run
Wow. A come from behind win to open the 2024 ‘Season of Gloom’©. Gotta win once in a while. Oh, and it is always nice to beat the Cheatstros. Don
Fantastic first game.
Except for the part that they totally didn’t deserve to win it. At this rate they’ll lead the league in every offensive category except runs and finish just under .500.
https://x.com/mlb/status/1773486271245005273?s=61&t=fhOaqwtc8q2TMSXUDRjPeg
Yay win!
Yay Battle Mario!
Story of the day is the plate discipline. Would love for the team to keep seeing 4 P/PA…
What’s the record for double plays in a season and when in August do we expect it to fall?