Pinstripe Press
By Editor at April 19, 2024 | 8:15 am | Print
By Robin Vinci
At 7-5 and only a game and one-half out of first place, right now there is a lot to feel good about as a Yankee fan. Yes, the Boston Red Sox are in first, but in light of the bombings at the marathon we are forgiving of anything Boston related right now.
Second baseman Robinson Cano has carried the team. He has shown that he really is a top notch player. His laziness always frustrates me, but his hitting has been the best out there right now. Without him the Yankees would be in trouble. He is young and we need to give him whatever contract he asks for. He presently has 4 home runs, 11 RBI’s, 9 runs scored and is batting .327.
According to Yahoo sports, Cano said, “I haven’t realized that. I’m in the top of the lineup, and you want to get on base for your guys. The team has been really good lately. It means a lot when you hear it from your manager. That’s what you want. You want to be here and the guy that they can count on.”
Who else is looking good? Kevin Youkilis leads hitters with a .348 average. Travis Hafner is batting .324 with 3 home runs and 7 RBI’s. He’s an older guy and I did not expect much from him so I am feeling good about his production.
Vernon Wells leads the team in RBI’s with 11 and 3 home runs.
CC Sabathia, Andy Petitte and Hiroki Kuroda all have 2 wins. Sabathia has 18 strikeouts and Petitte has an ERA of 1.20.
Due to Petitte’s age he was held back one game. I worry about how many innings he can throw. I guess holding him back when you can is the way to go.
Ivan Nova also pitched a great game on Tuesday night going 5 innings with 6 strikeouts and allowing 2 runs. He did give up 7 hits and 2 walks, but we still won 4-2.
Of course Mariano Rivera already has 3 saves.
I have very little bad news in the Yankees this week. It is finally great to feel optimistic.
But alas, not all is well. Derek Jeter’s arrival on the field has been pushed back to some time in May. It really will be June before this team resembles what we know of them. But, frankly as long as they are winning I don’t care.
It was also a great tribute to hear the Yankees play “Sweet Caroline” for the Red Sox at the end of the third inning Tuesday night. It really is about people in the long run.
Right now the Yankees are playing Interleague Ball, not something I particularly like, but the Yankees win a lot against the National League. I guess it’s a good time to play it then.
This weekend we take on Toronto. That will be very telling as the Blue Jays are most people’s choice to win the division. Presently the Jays are only 6-8, but this series will mean a lot for both teams. Kuroda, Petitte and Nova will be on the mound for the Yankees. If we can take 2 out of 3, it will put New York in good standing in the AL East.
