New York Yankees Beat Boston Red Sox 4-0 As Luis Gil Pitches Well
The Yankees beat Boston 4-0 tonight, and Luis Gil pitched well. He always seems to pitch well against the Red Sox. The Boston bullpen is depleted, as they exhausted it yesterday. They needed a big start. The Yankees came into this game in first place in the dog-eat-dog American League East. Meanwhile, the Red Sox are getting buried in the division. Speaking of bullpens, Elmer Rodriguez is doing great in AAA. He could get called up and add to the Yankee bullpen.
The Red Sox started Connelly Early. He is noteworthy because he was the opposing pitcher when Cam Schlitter pitched his amazing game in the playoffs last season. He has been pitching well this season, and he pitched well tonight, but ran into predictable problems. The Yankees are lucky that they missed Garrett Crochet, though he has been awful. Do you think he is hurt?
Yankees and Red Sox Game Summary
Both Gil and Early pitched well. Giancarlo Stanton hit a home run in the second inning. His launch angle matched the cold temperature, 41 degrees. Because it was so cold, the pitchers had the advantage. Early benefited from two double plays in the first five innings. Both were pretty. Gil benefitted from a double play as well.
However, in the sixth inning, the third time through the Yankees lineup, Early ran into some trouble. He walked three batters and gave up a two-run double to Stanton. He was removed after five and a third innings, and the Yanks got into the Boston bullpen.
Road Trips
The Yankees were off yesterday, but they play 9 consecutive games, starting with this one on the road. The play at Boston, then at Houston, then at Texas. This looks like a fearsome road trip for the Yankees. However, the Red Sox are struggling, Houston has an earned run average over six runs per game, and Texas is very inconsistent.
Fortunately for the Yanks, they have their aces pitching, and Carlos Rodon could be back for this series. A note about the Yankees and Red Sox: they are playing early this season. Last year, the rivals did not play until June 22.
What Happens When a Left-Handed Pitcher Starts?
The Yankees barely faced any left-handed pitchers in the first 15 games. However, they faced two left-handed pitchers in the last two games against the Kansas City Royals, and they faced left-handed starting pitchers in the first two games against the Red Sox. So, what happens when a left-handed pitcher starts? Generally, managers want to put right-handed batters in the lineup because they have a better chance against left-handed pitchers.
Specifically, for the Yankees. Amed Rosario not only plays but also leads off. Trent Grisham sat in favor of Randal Grichuk. That move means Cody Bellinger, a left-handed batter who hits left-handed pitchers, played center field. Ryan McMahon also sat, though he generally comes in during the late innings when the opposing team brings in a right-handed reliever. McMahon is an excellent defender.
The Third Time Through the Lineup
The third time through the batting order is proven to be a difficult period for starting pitchers. They are getting tired, and the hitters have seen all of their pitches by that time. Generally, they are removed from the game nowadays. In today’s analytically-driven game, managers prefer to remove starting pitchers. Except when they have been using their bullpen a bunch.
This happened in tonight’s game. Early pitched five great innings. Then, he faced the Yankees lineup for the third time in the sixth inning. He walked three batters and surrendered a hard-hit two-run double to Stanton. Interestingly, that did not happen to Gil. He only needed five pitches to retire the Red Sox in the sixth inning. That was the third time he faced those batters.
