A lot was discussed on the Sweep Thread yesterday that also served as the Rays-Astros game thread.
I think arc brought up Hicks has declared himself ready to play in the ALCS. About three weeks ago most thought he was done until February because any further damage now might lead to TJS..
If Hicks were activated it would probably knock Wade off the roster. The Yanks will almost certainly deactive Voit to activate another pitcher and go with a three man bench. CC is the guy, if the shoulder has recovered to take the 13 slot for pitchers. Basically CC for Voit. Not sure who the 13 pitcher would be if CC can't go. But I'm certain they go with 13 pitches for the 7 games.
If we just focus on the bench it is probably easier to look at. Hicks activated would mean two of three bench would be OFs. Can't see that. I doubt they drop Maybin to keep Wade. Wade is too versatile to drop as he can play IF and OF.
At this point, I doubt Hicks is activated. His bat would be questionable and would you really start Hicks in CF and sit Gardy? Gardy is easily Hicks equal in the field except for Hicks' arm. They could play Gardy in LF, Stanton to DH, EE to 1B, DJLM to 3B and sit Urshela, who isn't hitting. So in effect you are swapping Hicks probable weak bat for Urshela's currently slumping bat. That would upgrade the Yanks outfield defense with Gardy-Hicks-Judge. Not sure that DJLM at 3rd and EE at 1B is the equivalent to Urshela, Didi, Torres and DJLM. I would not want to upset what we saw of the infield in the ALDS.
I think the Yanks do not activate Hicks, but what would Cash do?
Neither would I seeing what that lineup did against the Twins and what that infield looked like the other night. You might strengthen the OF defense, but you weaken the IF defense. Also, I think you slightly weaken the total offense. While Urshela has been as cold as Voit, Hicks just takes too long to get going.
I don't think so. He had three hits vs the Twins and batted .250.
I'm ok with activating Hicks but don't want the lineup changed.
I think as a late inning replacement in the OF he would make their D stronger by taking over CF and moving Gardy to left for Stanton but that's about the only spot I'd be comfortable with Hicks right now.
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Been as cold as Voit?
I don't think so. He had three hits vs the Twins and batted .250.
I'm ok with activating Hicks but don't want the lineup changed.
I think as a late inning replacement in the OF he would make their D stronger by taking over CF and moving Gardy to left for Stanton but that's about the only spot I'd be comfortable with Hicks right now.
Totally agree. Wonder what section225 was thinking.
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In comment 14620681 Jay in Toronto said:
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Been as cold as Voit?
I don't think so. He had three hits vs the Twins and batted .250.
I'm ok with activating Hicks but don't want the lineup changed.
I think as a late inning replacement in the OF he would make their D stronger by taking over CF and moving Gardy to left for Stanton but that's about the only spot I'd be comfortable with Hicks right now.
Totally agree. Wonder what section225 was thinking.
Thinking about what? Urshela being cold? Yeah he has been cold. BA dropped from .329 to .315 in Sept. Now if he had 3 hits against, they were quiet.
Urshela batted .189 last 30 days.
That said I'd trust Urshela before Hicks at this point.
Yanks stats last 30 days - ( New Window )
I think anything they get from him at the bottom of the order is gravy as they have plenty of O, and it's his glove at 3rd that I'm counting on and I think the Yanks do too.
If he was a late season call up, had a good month then slumped in September I'd be worried about his bat but he's hit well all year, even with the September dip. .319 is not too shabby for a #9 hitter, and I think he's got a few more hits in him.
I think anything they get from him at the bottom of the order is gravy as they have plenty of O, and it's his glove at 3rd that I'm counting on and I think the Yanks do too.
If he was a late season call up, had a good month then slumped in September I'd be worried about his bat but he's hit well all year, even with the September dip. .319 is not too shabby for a #9 hitter, and I think he's got a few more hits in him.
I think you are splitting hairs on cold, yeah numerically Voit was colder. Fact is he was cold and dropped to the 9 hole. Yes, he had three hits and batted .250 vs the Twins. No RBIs despite being up several times with RISP. Believe me I'm a Gio fan and sometimes little hits get a player going. And hopefully if Hicks makes the roster it is to relieve Stanton late and the IF is left alone. But if Hicks is starting, then Urshela is sitting because there is no way Encarnacion or Stanton is sitting for him. The IF has to be DJLM, Didi, Torres, EE with Stanton as DH. There is no doubt I'd rather have either Urshela or Maybin at the plate over Hicks at this point this year.
I still think if CC is added, Voit sits. If Hicks is added Maybin sits.
Anyway I noticed this morning that this is the first decade in 100 years where the Yankees don’t have a World Series appearance. They made it in the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 00’s. I’m sure you all were aware of that and I guess it’s not a total shock but as someone who otherwise doesn’t really care that’s enough of a reason to pull for the Yankees a little bit. Cool streak and they have one shot to keep it going.
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Quiet or not three hits in his first three playoff games is still three hits. Voit has had what, one hit in weeks? No way is Urshela as cold as him despite his September numbers.
I think anything they get from him at the bottom of the order is gravy as they have plenty of O, and it's his glove at 3rd that I'm counting on and I think the Yanks do too.
If he was a late season call up, had a good month then slumped in September I'd be worried about his bat but he's hit well all year, even with the September dip. .319 is not too shabby for a #9 hitter, and I think he's got a few more hits in him.
I think you are splitting hairs on cold, yeah numerically Voit was colder. Fact is he was cold and dropped to the 9 hole. Yes, he had three hits and batted .250 vs the Twins. No RBIs despite being up several times with RISP. Believe me I'm a Gio fan and sometimes little hits get a player going. And hopefully if Hicks makes the roster it is to relieve Stanton late and the IF is left alone. But if Hicks is starting, then Urshela is sitting because there is no way Encarnacion or Stanton is sitting for him. The IF has to be DJLM, Didi, Torres, EE with Stanton as DH. There is no doubt I'd rather have either Urshela or Maybin at the plate over Hicks at this point this year.
I still think if CC is added, Voit sits. If Hicks is added Maybin sits.
Fair enough and I didn't really mean to split hairs there it's just for me, the way I remember Voit finishing out the year he was more than just cold. He was freezing and really going bad. He even look out of it mentally.
Gio to me just looked like he was scuffling. He clearly wasn't going as good as he was during the year but I never felt his struggles were close to Voit's. Just how I saw it and if you or anyone else saw it differently that's fair. Different strokes.