Yankee closer, Aroldis Chapman, has looked mortal. There are issues with his velocity, control, and placement of off-speed pitches.
The Baby Bombers have been on fire, exceeding all expectations–even my own–during this young baseball season.
I wrote last month about this team’s potential, But not in my wildest dreams did I think they would find a grove this quickly (21-11 as of 5/10).
Aaron Judge has 13 HRs (as of 5/10, photo, Newsday)
The Yankees’ are hitting to every part of the park. Power has been on display with Aaron Judge looking to chase the HR record–in only the second month of his rookie season!
The starters have thrown extremely well, consistently taking games into the 7th or 8th frame. And things will only get better with the return of Sanchez and Sir Didi.
But wait! The excitement for these Baby Yankees is blunted by something that could end up becoming a major league problem.
Yankee closer, Aroldis Chapman, has looked mortal. There are issues with his velocity, control, and placement of off-speed pitches.
After reviewing games against the Red Sox and Cubs it’s clear that Chapman isn’t himself. It was never more apparent than on Sunday night at Wrigley. In the 9th the Yanks gave up a 4-1 lead. Yeah, NY came back to win in 18, 5-4, but the game should have been over in regulation.
Chapman taken out in 9th against Cubs (photo, NY Daily News)
Betances did his job in the 8th (1 hit, 2 SO), driving down his ERA to .84, but Chapman blew the save in the 9th. His stats were telling: 3 hits, 3 runs, 3 earned runs, and 2 base-on-balls in only .2 inning of work. Chapman’s ERA now stands at 3.0.
I hope I’m wrong about Chapman. But we may need the pitching Gods to come down and reignite his firepower.
Let’s face it: the Yankees won’t be the Yankees unless “The Flamethrower” returns.
