Post by Commissioner Erick on May 11, 2019 12:56:06 GMT -5
New York Yankees (32-18) @ Toronto Blue Jays (19-33)
NYY: Nathan Eovaldi (4-3, 3.90)
TOR: Clarke Schmidt (0-6, 5.32)
The New York Yankees roared through May and now find themselves back in the division lead in the AL East. They'll look to continue their hot streak when they face the Toronto Blue Jays in the Game of the Week.
The Yankees have won 19 of their past 26 games, and have won seven of their past eight series. They've surged thanks to a bullpen that's back to performing at a dominant level. Aroldis Chapman worked 10 games in the month, winning two games and saving six of seven contests. Chapman did walk five hitters in 9.2 innings, and allowed nine hits as well. However, he recovered his strikeout form, blowing away 19 hitters to get out of trouble. After three home runs allowed in April, Chapman hasn't allowed any in May, another indicator of his return to form.
In May, Dellin Betances was able to navigate the tightrope he walks every outing. Betances' control has fallen apart the past few years. Once a dominant force at the back of the pen, Betances' stuff is still dominating and Betances has no control over where the ball goes. He walked 12 hitters in 12 innings in May, but struck out 11, allowed only seven hits, and surrendered just one home run. Hitters can't hit pitches that aren't close to the zone after all. As a result, Betances has an outrageous 21 walks in 16.1 innings on the year, but also has just a .193 average against, and only one home run off him. It's an absurd profile, but one he navigated well in May.
After a rough April, Nick Runeblow rebounded with a steady May. He fanned 16 in 11.1 innings, walked just three, and won three games. With Giovanny Gallegos leading the AL in Shutdowns, the Yankees finally have the bullpen to hold leads and conquer late innings.
They'll face an offense that's scuffling hard. Toronto is 12th in the AL in runs, forcing Brian Violette to make changes. Jake Burger has been removed from the lineup, as has Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Burger drove in 125 runs last year, but is running a .604 OPS thus far. It was assumed Burger would be a superstar, but this season has sewn doubt into his future.
Kole Enright, who was acquired in the same trade that brought Burger to Toronto, has taken Burger's place. Enright has decent pop and a good glove at the hot corner. He played about half a season last year and popped 10 home runs with a respectable average, though he didn't get on base much. He still doesn't have much patience, but he's doing better at identifying pitches he can hit and doing damage. As a result, he has eight home runs thus far and has increased his OPS+ from 10 points below average to 10 points above average.
Just as disappointing as Burger's poor performance is the start of the year for Guerrero Jr. The Canadian native is batting just 207 with a .270 OBP and little power. Guerrero Jr. held his own last year, but hasn't looked prepared for the majors this year. This doesn't change the long-term outlook, necessarily, but the young right fielder hasn't shown yet that he can be a solid major leaguer. Only 22, Guerrero Jr. has a lot of time to develop, but Toronto's timeline to get back to relevance in the division may have to be postponed slightly while the kids develop further.
Eric Jenkins has been the recipient of playing time in right field with Guerrero Jr. underperforming. Jenkins came over in 2018 in the trade that brought J.A. Happ to Texas. Happ suffered elbow problems immediately on arrival and contributed virtually nothing for the Rangers, so Toronto essentially won that deal by default. Jenkins, however, has struggled this year. He profiles as a speed-and-defense backup, but he contributed 20 doubles and seven home runs in almost 400 plate appearances last year, while stealing 25 bases in 28 attempts. This year, he hasn't been as prolific on the bases, and his bat has fallen apart. Jenkins only has a .265 OBP in 167 plate appearances. With such an inept performance with the bat, Jenkins has a -0.5 WAR thus far.
With so many struggles, we may see another option in right field before the season is over.
Questions for the GM's:
For Greg Masceri, Tyrell Jenkins has struggled this year and now has a bit of a bad back. Will you put him on the DL or allow him to pitch through this?
Ji-Man Choi is due off the DL in a couple of weeks, Yeison Corradera and Greg Bird are hitting a bit better, and Jorge Polanco has been outstanding hitting .323. How will the playing time for DH and corner infield shake itself out when everyone is healthy?
Esteban Robles appears to be more comfortable being selective with pitches to hit. He's walking more and stinging the ball when he makes contact. How different is your lineup when he's producing like this?
For Brian Violette, you're in a tough spot with several key young performers scuffling. Do you send Guerrero Jr. to the minors if he can't turn his year around?
Jake Burger had 42 home runs last year though he's riding the bench now. When will we see him in the lineup again?
Luis Alexander Basabe has hit well in Triple A. Will we see him up this year?
NYY: Nathan Eovaldi (4-3, 3.90)
TOR: Clarke Schmidt (0-6, 5.32)
The New York Yankees roared through May and now find themselves back in the division lead in the AL East. They'll look to continue their hot streak when they face the Toronto Blue Jays in the Game of the Week.
The Yankees have won 19 of their past 26 games, and have won seven of their past eight series. They've surged thanks to a bullpen that's back to performing at a dominant level. Aroldis Chapman worked 10 games in the month, winning two games and saving six of seven contests. Chapman did walk five hitters in 9.2 innings, and allowed nine hits as well. However, he recovered his strikeout form, blowing away 19 hitters to get out of trouble. After three home runs allowed in April, Chapman hasn't allowed any in May, another indicator of his return to form.
In May, Dellin Betances was able to navigate the tightrope he walks every outing. Betances' control has fallen apart the past few years. Once a dominant force at the back of the pen, Betances' stuff is still dominating and Betances has no control over where the ball goes. He walked 12 hitters in 12 innings in May, but struck out 11, allowed only seven hits, and surrendered just one home run. Hitters can't hit pitches that aren't close to the zone after all. As a result, Betances has an outrageous 21 walks in 16.1 innings on the year, but also has just a .193 average against, and only one home run off him. It's an absurd profile, but one he navigated well in May.
After a rough April, Nick Runeblow rebounded with a steady May. He fanned 16 in 11.1 innings, walked just three, and won three games. With Giovanny Gallegos leading the AL in Shutdowns, the Yankees finally have the bullpen to hold leads and conquer late innings.
They'll face an offense that's scuffling hard. Toronto is 12th in the AL in runs, forcing Brian Violette to make changes. Jake Burger has been removed from the lineup, as has Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Burger drove in 125 runs last year, but is running a .604 OPS thus far. It was assumed Burger would be a superstar, but this season has sewn doubt into his future.
Kole Enright, who was acquired in the same trade that brought Burger to Toronto, has taken Burger's place. Enright has decent pop and a good glove at the hot corner. He played about half a season last year and popped 10 home runs with a respectable average, though he didn't get on base much. He still doesn't have much patience, but he's doing better at identifying pitches he can hit and doing damage. As a result, he has eight home runs thus far and has increased his OPS+ from 10 points below average to 10 points above average.
Just as disappointing as Burger's poor performance is the start of the year for Guerrero Jr. The Canadian native is batting just 207 with a .270 OBP and little power. Guerrero Jr. held his own last year, but hasn't looked prepared for the majors this year. This doesn't change the long-term outlook, necessarily, but the young right fielder hasn't shown yet that he can be a solid major leaguer. Only 22, Guerrero Jr. has a lot of time to develop, but Toronto's timeline to get back to relevance in the division may have to be postponed slightly while the kids develop further.
Eric Jenkins has been the recipient of playing time in right field with Guerrero Jr. underperforming. Jenkins came over in 2018 in the trade that brought J.A. Happ to Texas. Happ suffered elbow problems immediately on arrival and contributed virtually nothing for the Rangers, so Toronto essentially won that deal by default. Jenkins, however, has struggled this year. He profiles as a speed-and-defense backup, but he contributed 20 doubles and seven home runs in almost 400 plate appearances last year, while stealing 25 bases in 28 attempts. This year, he hasn't been as prolific on the bases, and his bat has fallen apart. Jenkins only has a .265 OBP in 167 plate appearances. With such an inept performance with the bat, Jenkins has a -0.5 WAR thus far.
With so many struggles, we may see another option in right field before the season is over.
Questions for the GM's:
For Greg Masceri, Tyrell Jenkins has struggled this year and now has a bit of a bad back. Will you put him on the DL or allow him to pitch through this?
Ji-Man Choi is due off the DL in a couple of weeks, Yeison Corradera and Greg Bird are hitting a bit better, and Jorge Polanco has been outstanding hitting .323. How will the playing time for DH and corner infield shake itself out when everyone is healthy?
Esteban Robles appears to be more comfortable being selective with pitches to hit. He's walking more and stinging the ball when he makes contact. How different is your lineup when he's producing like this?
For Brian Violette, you're in a tough spot with several key young performers scuffling. Do you send Guerrero Jr. to the minors if he can't turn his year around?
Jake Burger had 42 home runs last year though he's riding the bench now. When will we see him in the lineup again?
Luis Alexander Basabe has hit well in Triple A. Will we see him up this year?
