Game of the Week: June 24: TOR @ NYY

[Commissioner Erick]

Toronto Blue Jays (43-35) @ New York Yankees (40-39)


TOR: Thomas Szapucki (7-2, 4.11)
NYY: Juan De Paula (2-1, 4.66)


The American League East race has gone roughly according to plan with the Toronto Blue Jays leading the division and the New York Yankees right behind them. However, neither team has been as good as they would prefer, meaning neither team may be candidates for the American League Wild Card.

That means that today's Game of the Week between the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees takes on extra importance.

The Yankees have had a rough June, going 9-12 in the month and losing ground on Toronto despite the Blue Jays having a losing month themselves. The team has not had Aroldis Chapman for the month, and unsurprisingly, they’ve had the third highest bullpen ERA in June. Freddy Peralta has pitched 10 games and has a 12.46 ERA. Freicer Perez has worked 11 games with an 8.10 ERA. Tyrell Jenkins and A.J. Moore each have an ERA over 5.50 and each has pitched at least 16.1 innings.

The bullpen just hasn’t worked, which is rough considering the Yankees have had the best offense in the league all season. Despite trading away Gary Sanchez, who is having a great season, and despite Jered Kelenic having a terrible year, the Yankees offense has been awesome. Seven of their nine regulars have double-figure home runs, and one of the two who doesn’t, Tyler Duncan, is hitting .342, has nine home runs, and is only starting as a result of an injury to Manuel Margot.

The team may even be getting better soon. Amed Rosario has been injured for two months after a concussion. Rosario had been off to a great start with an .884 OPS in 27 games. Rosario’s speed and defense have fallen off from his peak days with the Mets, but he’s still an offensive weapon for a team filled with them.

That offense will face off against Thomas Szapucki, last year’s Wins and ERA leader. Szapucki has been terrific, lowering his walk rate and increasing his strikeout rate and going 7-2. The only blemish is with his home rate rate which has almost doubled from last year. His ERA as a result has gone to 4.11. Considering the Yankees lead the league in home runs, the matchup between Szapucki and the Yankees will be fascinating.


Questions for the GMs:


For Chris Levant, as you transition away from being Toronto’s GM, how do you think their future lies?

With Taylor Walls out, will Eric Drouet move over to Shortstop today?

How worried are you with Szapucki being more homer prone facing New York’s offense?

For Greg Masceri, your offense has really surged, but your pitching staff has struggled. Will you make any moves as the trade deadline approaches to balance your team?

Did you expect Tyler Duncan to be so good in his rookie year, after barely playing above High-A until this year?

You started the season with Aaron Judge in the minors. What caused you to begin the year with him in Triple-A and then what caused you to call him up later?


TRIVIA: What team has played in the Wild Card Game the most times in the PBA?

[gmyankees]

I'm trying to make a deal but everyone seems to want soemthing for nothing. Tyler Duncan has been a very pleasant surprise in that he's playing at the level he has so early in his carrer. Aaron Judge has been struggling with his batting average, I hope we have his attention...

[Commissioner Erick]

Yankees 5 - Blue Jays 3

WP: F. Peralta (4-2)
LP: S. Nakazaki (2-1)
SV: G. Gallegos (10)


The home crowd had a good time watching the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees get after it.

Yankees third baseman Yeison Corredera put his stamp on his team's 5-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Corredera was 2 for 3 with 2 home runs and a walk. He drove in 3 runs and scored twice for New York in the contest. New York now has a record of 41-39 with the win.

Corredera had a game-changing home run in the bottom of the sixth. On a 0-1 fastball from Shota Nakazaki, he banged a solo home run to right, giving the Yankees a 2-1 lead. It was the 19th home run of the year for Corredera.

"Winning the game is always the first objective," Corredera said.


Questions for the GMs:


For Chris Levant, T.J. Collett had his first triple of the season. How did he look to you?

Would you have liked to see Szapucki try to go six innings instead of being pulled after five?

Your team had a pair of steals. How aggressive do you try to be in the running game?

For Greg Masceri, Austin Riley got a start for you, one of a few he's made for you this year after only playing in four PBA games before this season. He had two hits for you. how do you decide when he starts?

How was Tristan Beck able to be so successful?

Freddy Peralta got the win, but walked two players and struck out only one, meaning he still has more walks on the year than strikeouts. What did you think of his game?


TRIVIA: What player is the only Yankee to hit three home runs in a game?

[gmyankees]

Austin Riley starts every 10th game to give guys some rest, he's been playing well when called upon. Tristan Beck has good stuff and a change up that gets him the upper hand. I've always had confidence in Tristan as an emergency starter. We like Peralta and even though he had a sub par performance here we like him long term especially against righty hitters.

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 1: The New York Yankees

TRIVIA 2: Gary Sanchez