The Yankees, known as one of the most analytical teams in MLB, have seen quite a few decisions backfire in falling behind, 3-1, to the Houston Astros in the ALCS. Coming on the heels of last year’s ALDS defeat that featured some questionable decisions, the Yankees have not had much go their way while being outclassed by Houston. As good as Boone has been in the regular season, his post season decisions have pretty much blown-up. Here’s a look at some of the decisions that have backfired on the Yankees. Adam Ottavino had been terrible in his previous postseason outings against the Minnesota Twins despite not allowing a run, but the Yankees liked the match-up with righty Georgie Springer at the plate. Springer homered to tie the game, a series-changing hit. Two days later in Game 3, Boone again went to Ottavino in a key moment, this time with the Yankees trailing 2-0 in the seventh. When Ottavino departed after failing to record an out, the Yankees trailed 4-0. Boone again tried Ottavino last night with the Yankees in a 6-3 hole, and Ottavino allowed a run while not recording an out, all but ending the Yankees’ chances. While a 6-3 hole is not a high-leverage spot, the Yankees were still within striking distance. Then there is the line-up. On Tuesday, with bases loaded, Gleyber Torres is 5th in the line-up. Brett Gardner, not a typical three-hole hitter, then hit a shallow fly out to center. Slumping designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion followed with a pop-out. Cole then pitched around Torres to retire Didi Gregorious and end the threat. I love Gardy, but he’s No 3 hole guy, Torres is. The Yankees tried to rectify their error in Game 4 by moving Torres into the four-hole, in front of Encarnacion and Gardner, but that did not work either. Torres went 0-for-5 and failed in two critical situations, including when he struck out in a bases-loaded, one-out spot in the fifth inning with the Yankees trailing, 3-1. The Yankees ultimately failed to score that inning. Maybe the change effected Torres. And finally, there’s the most over rated catcher in baseball, Garry Sanchez who has started every game and looks completely over matched at the plate (except for one at bat) and sluggish on defense. Yet he is “their guy”. Austine Romine may not hit home runs, but he puts the ball in play and plays a superior level of defense. The bottom line is Cashman and Boone have managed this post-season poorly, and Cashman continues to believe that hitters that hit homers against back end of the rotation pitchers and do little but strike out against good pitchers, will for some unknown reason hit the best pitchers in baseball come the post season. Good pitching almost always wins over good hitting. The Astros have really Good, no, Great pitching. So far things have backfired for the Yanks and unless we stop striking out and put some hits together we won’t score enough runs to out- score the runs our pitchers are giving up, this series will end tonight. The decisions for tonight’s game should be full of risk regardless of what Cashman’s numbers say. Anyone and everyone should be available for the game. Pull out all the stops. It’s Do or Die!
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December 2019
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