Over the weekend the New York Yankees succame to a series sweep for the first time in the 2018 season. They were swept by the AL East division foes Tampa Bay Rays at the Trop in St. Pete. The worst of it all came in the final game of the series when Gary Sanchez pulled up lame trying to beat out a double play.
For most of the season, the Yankees have had smooth sailing through the terrain of the MLB. They have run roughshod over most clubs, slugging them to death. While also getting relatively good pitching performances. No team likes getting swept, but it’s baseball and that happens sometimes. Sometimes stronger teams just get beat, as was the case this weekend with the Yankees. The Yankees starters gave up 12 runs (11 earned) in 15 innings pitched. Yet, that wasn’t even the biggest problem, the offense was.
Where the Bats At Though?
Over the first two games of the three-game set, the Yankees offense mustered only one run. During the first two games, the Yankees were 9-60 at the plate. The measures out to a .150 batting average. The Yanks offense rebounded somewhat during the final game of the Tampa series scoring six runs. However, those runs were in vain as the pitching staff gave up seven. Although this series the runs were somewhat dormant, the Yankees offense can easily be expected to rebound.
DL Bound
Gary Sanchez has struggled this season, that’s no secret. Yet, he remains a threat when in the lineup. But after trying to beat out a double play ground ball that playing time is in question. As more than likely Sanchez is headed to the Disabled List. Which comes at a terrible time for Gary as his at-bats were getting better. An MRI today should reveal more and just how long Sanchez will be out.
MRI for Sanchez tomorrow. Won't know the timeline until then but Boone says likely a DL situation no matter what.
— Lou DiPietro (@LouDiPietroYES) June 24, 2018
A look at the play that forced Gary Sanchez out of today's game. #YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/so4eqdHoA3
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) June 24, 2018
New Opportunities
This DL stint will also mean more playing time for Austin Romine and his newly found offensive game. Romine has been the Yankees backup catcher for several years and has never amounted to much at the plate. That was until this season when Romine switched to a more closed off stance. It will be interesting to see just how Romine does playing every day.
Clearing Hurdles
This Yankees team just like every other in MLB must go through adversities in order to achieve the ultimate goal of winning the World Series. How the Yankees respond to this blip in the radar of their 2018 season will determine a lot moving forward. We’ve covered how this team is reminiscent of the 1998 team. And this team has the potential to rebound from this weekend’s setbacks if they come together as a team.
