A Ship with no Captain, the Yankees go down 0-2 Against LA in the World Series
Yankees OF Aaron Judge, via Jayne Kamin/Oncea/Imagn Images
After an abysmal two-game road stretch in Los Angeles, the Yankees head back home to the Bronx with a 0-2 deficit. The Yanks find themself in desperate need of a win after a disappointing start to their first World Series in fifteen years. It has all stemmed from poor coaching and poor performances from many players, specifically the Yankees Captain, Aaron Judge. I hate to be critical of a guy who had done so much for this team throughout the past 7 years, but it truly means nothing if you cannot perform in October. This ship will sink without the Captain. Yankee Legends, more specifically, Yankee Captains, are made in October. Aaron Judge's choke job will be studied for years if he does not turn it up. The poor management by Aaron Boone is worth firing if this star-studded Yankees team loses this series. The decision to put in Nestor Cortes Jr., who hasn't pitched since September 18, instead of reliever Tim Hill, who's been great this postseason, to face Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman was incredibly dumb. It cost the Yankees game one and has rapidly caused a domino effect. Ironically, Tim Hill made Freddie Freeman pop out in game two, making Yankee fans reminisce on what could've been.
They wasted a pitching gem from Gerrit Cole in game one after allowing only one run in 6+ innings pitched. And the million dollar acquisition of Carlos Rodon, is one that hasn't quite panned out this postseason. Legacies are made in the World Series, and only three have shown up. Soto, Stanton, and Cole cannot carry this team. It's going to take a group effort. Reminiscent of the 1996 Yankees championship team, they were also down 0-2. The only difference was the core four and Joe Torre. After starting the series badly, Torre pulled Paul O'Neill, Wade Boggs, and Tino Martinez from the lineup. That is not something Aaron Boone would have the guts to pull off. Wells needs to be replaced for Trevino and Judge may need to pulled down the order. I'd even consider swapping Dominguez for Verdugo. There are so many changes the Yankees could make with the depth they have. However, making the right bullpen changes is crucial. The home stretch in the Bronx is crucial. Ohtani is coming off that injury but will likely still be in play. I hope he recovers because with/without Ohtani this Dodgers team is still beatable and he’s one of the best in the world, you want to beat your opponent at their best.
The Yankees cannot afford to lose at home and enter LA down 3-2. The upcoming games are of utmost importance, and the team needs to feel the urgency to win. Despite the challenges, the potential for a comeback is still there, waiting to be seized. The Yankees have the talent and the depth to turn this series around. It's not over until it's over, and the team and the fans should hold on to this optimism, knowing that a comeback is always within reach.
This series isn't over yet. Wake up Captain, the quest for 28 continues.
