NFT: Yankees (12-7) @ Red Sox (11-9), Thursday Tanakatime Ed.

season...as of this morning the Yanks lead all of MLB with a 2.90 team ERA, .214 BA against, fewest runs allowed at 63, and fewest walks allowed at 51.

Wow.

In comment 13447548 Del Shofner said:

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into the season, which is a growing sample size. We're tied for second in the AL overall and are the AL leaders in run differential by a large margin. With our two best all-around position players sidelined so far. OK ... I know I'm smoking something. Could I please have some more?

I don't think you're smoking anything. To me, the key was always going to be SP. I think their offense will level off a little, but not much with Didi and Sanchez coming back. Their SP isn't likely to b as good as the last 2 weeks, but it doesn't need to be. They just need to be consistently decent and keep games close. Thear pen is still top notch to close things out or hold teams.

Continue to pitch as well with Sanchez putting down the signs.

Romine has done an incredible job with the staff.

If Holliday continues to struggle, I wouldn't mind seeing Sanchez get a healthy number of DH appearances with Romine catching.

In comment 13447711 Toastt34 said:

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Love watching this team so far.

I am generally not a fan of a 6 man rotation, but once we get into the dog days it might actually make some sense for this team. We have some good candidates for 6th starter and Tanaka and CC would both probably benefit from the extra day in there.

In comment 13447773 bigbluehoya said:

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n incredible job with the staff. If Holliday continues to struggle, I wouldn't mind seeing Sanchez get a healthy number of DH appearances with Romine catching.

I think Holliday is coming around.

Sanchez was calling good games last year.

Funny thing is, as well as Romine and Torreyes did filling in, the bump in offense will really not be that much, except the power numbers will be up. Romine and Torreyes did above and beyond at the plate. Also, while Romine and Torreyes were bottom of the order guys, Sanchez and Didi will be closer to the top, pushing Headley down and maybe Ells.

In comment 13447773 bigbluehoya said:

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Continue to pitch as well with Sanchez putting down the signs. Romine has done an incredible job with the staff. If Holliday continues to struggle, I wouldn't mind seeing Sanchez get a healthy number of DH appearances with Romine catching.

Interesting to say this after the game Holliday had.

In comment 13447820 Del Shofner said:

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In comment 13447711 Toastt34 said: Quote: Love watching this team so far. I am generally not a fan of a 6 man rotation, but once we get into the dog days it might actually make some sense for this team. We have some good candidates for 6th starter and Tanaka and CC would both probably xbenefit from the extra day in there.

I also don't normally like the 6 man rotation, but I agree with you for this team. They should at least consider it for the second half. Tanaka especially thrives with the extra day.

These are four pleasant surprises of this young season. Hicks has played well enough to supplant Gardner in left and Headley has made this HIS team.

I'm concerned that once Didi and Sanchez come back that Romine and Torreyes are going to get a hand shake for a job well done and offered a permanent 6 day a week seat on the bench for the rest of the season. They've made themselves a big part of what is happening here. Torreyes has played stellar defense, been part of almost every important rally. Romine has been masterful in his handling of the pitching staff and his situational hitting has move runners into scoring position more times than I can count. Successful teams all have role players in the every day lineup that help others shine. Didi and Sanchez are superstars in the making, it's going to be a different team when they come back, better on paper, but different and that concerns me. I like this team.

In comment 13447850 Matt M. said:

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In comment 13447773 bigbluehoya said: Quote: Continue to pitch as well with Sanchez putting down the signs. Romine has done an incredible job with the staff. If Holliday continues to struggle, I wouldn't mind seeing Sanchez get a healthy number of DH appearances with Romine catching. Interesting to say this after the game Holliday had.

It really isn't though. He has struggled. I'm not saying to bench him and never play him, but he isn't a bat that needs to play every single night right now. Given how important Sanchez is to the lineup and how well Romine has handled the SPs, giving Sanchez a good amount of rest while keeping his bat in the lineup seems pretty logical. Some of those days may be at the expense of Holliday's bat.

with Hicks and Gardy playing the OF, against righties of course. Ellsburys hitting pretty well so far and stealing some bases, what usually knocks him back to mediocrity is nagging injuries, maybe some of "half days off", as Torre used to call them, would help him stay healthy.

Yay to him for filling in successfully while Sanchez was hurt, but he's not actually a good hitter.

giving 6 innings each time, 7+ consecutively now for Sev, CC and Tanaka. Pineda the ??, but he's looked good the last 2 times.

AND they make their starts every turn.

Didi back tonight, Sanchez next week. Bird looking better. Judge cooming ino his own. This is shaping up to be a fun season.

Inexplicably, two Yankee castoffs have been absolutely dominant in the White Sox bullpen. Anthony Swarzak has thrown 9.2 IP, allowed only three hits, struck out 12 and walked 1. He has not allowed a run in seven appearances. Tommy Kahnle had pitched 7 innings, 6 H, 1 BB, 15(!)K. One run allowed.

David Robertson has been excellent for them as well.

but this has been the most fun I've had watching the Yankees in a while

against lefties this season. WOW.