Yankees Stumbling into Playoffs as they Face Identity Crisis
In extra innings, with a free go-ahead runner on third, the Miami Marlins’ trade deadline pickup Starling Marte hit a hard ground ball to Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres. Torres, not known for fielding prowess, fielded the ball cleanly with a throw home that was just as sharp. The Yankees had trapped speedster Monte Harrison in a run-down that seemed like a guaranteed out until catcher Kyle Higashioka threw the ball into Harrison’s back. Higashioka had chased Harrison most of the way back to third base, and seemingly had a clear lane to throw him out. A look at the replay only brought more questions, with his target at third base being at a different angle than Harrison’s back. The missed out cost the Yankees, who gave up a sacrifice fly to the next batter to give Miami the lead. The Marlins, who hadn’t put together much of an offense since a loud first inning, took the lead in the tenth inning due in part to the fourth Yankee error of the game.
If the top of the tenth wasn’t hard enough to swallow, the Yankees offense was given a strong opportunity due to poor Miami pitching. With the bases loaded, tying run at third and winning run at second, D.J. LeMahieu came to bat. It seemed like it was all going to work out; LeMahieu, the MLB leader in batting average with a massive clutch gene had gone 0–4 on the day and was due for a hit. But a weak ground ball up the middle turned into an easy double play, and the Marlins clinched their first playoff birth since 2003. The Yankees, on the other hand, eliminated themselves from having home field advantage for next week’s Wild Card Series.
It was a tough loss, but not atypical from the Yankees this year. Four defensive errors. Hitting into five double plays. No sense of urgency, no trademark home run power, and the Yankees had lost their fifth game out of the previous six.
And then on Saturday, it seemed like it was happening again. Miami took another early 3–0 lead, running all over the Yankees defense, stealing bases and scoring runs from first base. And then in the fifth inning, the low-power bat of Tyler Wade hit a two-run homerun, and the Yankees got another run across to tie. It was a massive momentum shift, and nobody felt the shift stronger than the Yankees themselves. The bats came alive in the 6th inning, scoring seven runs, and adding another in the 7th inning. Luke Voit hit his league-leading 22nd homer, and LeMahieu went 4–5, cementing his lead in the MLB batting title race. The Yankees held on and won 11–4.
In two days against the Marlins, the Yankees demonstrated the dichotomy of their performance this season. The Yankees season has been made up of offensively explosive win streaks and quietly disappointing losing streaks. They hit five home runs in one inning, and then went several games without hitting one. Pitchers like JA Happ, Devi Garcia, and Gerrit Cole have thrown gems and been the victims of large scoring affairs.
With the playoffs a couple of days away, it seems the Yankees have little sense of who they are. The talent and potential is certainly there, as exhibited by Saturday’s 11-run performance. But the errors, pitching mistakes, and general malaise have slowed down the Yankees, and their postseason prospects, significantly.
Manager Aaron Boone said on Friday that the Yankees had “plenty of time,” a quote that comes off extremely loaded to the observers who have identified a lack of urgency among the Yankees. This lack of urgency cost the Yankees the division, which in July would’ve been considered locked down, as well as the ability to play at Yankee Stadium for the Wild Card round. The Yankees have played significantly better at home than on the road this season, and now face a best of three series against the red hot Cleveland Indians.
Sunday Addition: The Yankees malaise returned again Sunday, getting bested 5–0 by the Marlins, with Yankees pitching, offense, and defense struggling again. The Blue Jays loss to Baltimore and White Sox loss to the Cubs secured the Yankees the five seed against Cleveland and the four seed. Tuesday will be a matchup between AL Cy Young and MVP favorite Shane Bieber and first-year Yankee Gerrit Cole. The Indians also feature strong young pitcher Zach Plesac, and another MVP contender in infielder Jose Ramirez.
M.J. Benenati, Sports Throne Contributor
