In Between the Pinstripes #37

In Between the Pinstripes_37: It all comes down to this
What a way to bounce back at home in a do or die game in the Bronx. Luis Severino pitched as well as he needed too to pass it on to Tommy Kahnle, after of course, Dellin Betances threw 12 pitches and gave up two walks.

The offense just took everything it was given with the Indians making four errors. Cleveland is usual sure-handed in the field, and just had a lapse in a game where they could have stepped on the Yankees throat and kill the beast that is the Bronx Bombers.

Joe Girardi after getting boo’d in the Game 3 introductions hasn’t let his impulse to pull his starters get the best of him. Girardi’s ability to trust his starters and pull the right strings in the bullpen have saved this series, and deserves some applause. Girardi has made sure he isn’t the reason the Yankees lose the series, and has left everything up to the players. The Yankees will win or lose this series on whether or not they can produce, not because they are being out managed. Even though Game 2 was one of the worst losses I have ever witnessed, it seems like a good lesson has been learned from Girardi and his staff. I still don’t know what is wrong with Matt Holiday—if he was healthy why wouldn’t the Yankees use him? And, if he is hurt, why wouldn’t the Yankees bring someone else on the playoff roster and utilize them?

For the most part, the Bronx Bombers weren’t bombing 400+ foot homers out of the bandbox that is the new Yankee Stadium. Gary Sanchez gave the Yanks a big insurance run that gave them a comfortable lead and even more confidence closing off the Indians and sending the series back to Cleveland, having all of the momentum.

The Yankees bullpen has been well rested in both of the home wins that has sent this series back to Cleveland. Both Tanaka and Severino have shut down this Indians offense, and gave every opportunity that wasn’t given to them in the first two games.

Looking ahead, the bullpen will be fully available with C.C. Sabathia taking the mound. I could not be more confident in any of our starters going back to Cleveland. Not only has Sabathia been clutch this season and throughout his Yankee career, he also seems to have not forgiven the Indians for trading him back in 2008. The ultimate revenge would be breaking the heart of his former team to give him maybe his final chance at a championship.


I understand that the opposition is Corey Kluber (the soon to be AL Cy Young Award winner) and how hard it will be to beat him, but if the Yankees can work the counts, and play smart they will have the opportunity to sneak out of Cleveland with a hard-earned victory. Game 5 will have to be the best game the Bombers have played all season, and if it isn’t well we might be coming back home instead of going to Houston for Game 1 of the ALCS on Friday.   

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