Bergen Record | Pete Caldera: The Yankees came out of their recent series win over the White Sox to face a 12-game stretch that would make or break their season. This Defining Dozen games comprised of four consecutive series against likely playoff teams in the Astros, Blue Jays, Tigers, and Red Sox, and the Yankees’ performance in this gauntlet had massive implications on their ability to win the division or indeed make it to October. So far, it looks like the Yankees are up to the challenge, taking
two out of three from the Astros and Blue Jays. One thing the Yankees will continue to monitor as the stretch unfolds is Aaron Judge’s ability to make throws from the outfield, the captain eschewing a pair of opportunities to try to throw out a runner at the plate in the series against the Blue Jays but instead opting for the safe route throwing to cutoff man Jazz Chisholm Jr.
The Athletic | Chris Kirschner and Mitch Bannon ($): After the Yankees series-clinching 4-3 win on Sunday, both teams confirmed that Max Scherzer was tipping his changeup in the first inning. Cody Bellinger picked up on the tendency standing on first and relayed the information to Aaron Judge at second, who signaled to the batter Ben Rice when a changeup was coming. Rice ended up winning that 10-pitch at-bat with a three-run home run that proved the difference maker in the game, the Yankees scoring just one run thereafter. It is not the first time the Yankees have benefitted from the opposition tipping their pitches, as they won a thrilling comeback in July against the Mariners after noticing that closer Andrés Muñoz was tipping his slider.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Before the game on Sunday, CC Sabathia was honored on the field following his first-ballot Hall of Fame induction. Sabathia’s influence extended beyond the field during his time in the Bronx, especially as a leader in the clubhouse almost immediately after signing for the team in 2009. Former teammate Aaron Judge in particular reflected on the invaluable role Sabathia played in the clubhouse, making many of the younger players feel not only welcome but like they belonged.
New York Daily News | Gary Phillips: Paul Goldschmidt continues to deal with the effects of a right knee sprain suffered on August 12th. Described as a low-grade injury, Goldschmidt managed to avoid an IL stint but did miss three games immediately following the injury, and lingering pain has put his recent availability into question. He was available only in an emergency situation in the Yankees 3-1 win over the Blue Jays on Saturday and only came in as a ninth-inning defensive substitution for Ben Rice at first base in the series finale. That being said, it is encouraging to note that a recent MRI on his knee came back clean, revealing no ligament damage.
