From Bryan Hoch:
Alex Verdugo eyed a lineup card with his name in the cleanup spot on Saturday, marking the first time it appeared there as a member of the Yankees. His immediate thoughts were about keeping what he described as “a humble approach,” reminding himself to see the ball well and try to use the whole field.
It took just one pitch for Verdugo to make an immediate impact, cracking a three-run homer in the first inning that sparked his team to its biggest offensive outburst of the season. Gleyber Torres added a big three-run double as the Bombers rolled to a 15-3 victory over the Brewers on Saturday at American Family Field.
“That four spot is a great spot in the lineup to come up with guys on the bases,” said Verdugo, who flipped his bat and gestured toward his teammates as he rounded the bases following his fourth homer of the season. “Today we just got it done.”
So, I guess Clay Holmes could have pitched a second inning last night?
In all seriousness, great win. Let’s hope that they have leads big enough this season to get Jose Trevino more pitching opportunities.
So, Cronin, are you a Rodon believer yet? I don’t know if I really am, but he doesn’t seem like a 6th starter so far.
I no longer believe he’s total trash, which is something.
Which is a lot, because the level of certainty was high.
This start was especially promising – it was disturbing how few men he was striking out until now. Of course, it’s just one start.
Judging by people I’ve seen with back problems, the main thing isn’t that it’s all over the minute the problem occurs – it’s that it can recur, and that recurrence is unpredictable. It seems eminently possible that he could be every bit as good as he ever was, but it also seems possible that it could suddenly end – or at least pause – at any moment.
David Wells, 2003 WS game 5.
I saw the Sox scored 17 and thought it would be fun if the Yankees did that… an hour or so later they came close.
I’m cautiously optimistic that Rodon has his mechanics sorted out. Now he just needs to stay healthy.
8 ks
But although he’s had a few decent games, this the first one where he could really strike batters out. Until yesterday, he’s looked pretty lucky. I’d love to think he’s back, but I’d like to see a few more like this one first.
How are you guys feeling about Verdugo?
He’s been good with the second highest OPS, 91 points higher than Volpe, on the team. I was wondering if he changed his swing now that he’s no longer looking to pepper line drives off the Green Monster?
Volpe last 14 days OPS 509.
Huge improvement over 2023 LFers. Of course that’s a pretty low bar.
Yankees are undefeated with a huge Pythag in games that both Trammel and Grisham play the outfield.
Statistics question: I’m thinking that any given pythag number should approach meaninglessness the higher the numbers are? +45 is a lot more impressive if you’ve scored 46 runs than if you’ve scored 700 runs.