"There’s no way to sugarcoat it: The Yankees put forth one of the sloppiest defensive performances in their franchise’s postseason history Monday night against the Rays in Game 2 of the American League Division Series at Tropicana Field.
In what was effectively a must-win game, the Yankees lose, 5-2, in large part because of four errors -- and that’s just the mistakes that were counted by the official scorer. There were other blunders that won’t show up in the box score."
I am relieved somebody said that. I've been saying that for years. Counting up errors and relying on an official scorer does not fully explain the defensive ineptitude and lack of professionalism of the Yankees.
"It was a game that recalled memories of New York’s disastrous fifth inning in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series. Except this was arguably worse."
The World Series was worse because it was the World Series. But a good callback.
"Chisholm said if he could do it all over again, he would probably still try to make that play. Boone said his second baseman probably should have held on to the ball, but he didn’t have a problem with the attempt: 'We've got to play catch. It's the big leagues,' he said."
This is the essence of the problem and the reason why I can't defend Boone.
Sure, Boone won't criticize his players harshly to the press. You have to read between the lines and this is Boone's idea of a criticism.
But Boone continually confuses mental errors with physical errors. Even if Jazz had made a perfect throw, the runner is safe. No upside to making that throw.
Why did Wells try to run to third base? Why did Sanchez try to pick off that runner?
How far do I have to go back?
Why did Donaldson go into a home run trot when the fly ball hit off the wall?
Why was Gleyber Torres allowed to play second base?
Three out of four of the preceding eye-scorching plays were in the playoffs.
In yesterday's game, Jazz didn't fully run out a ground ball to second base. Jazz dogged it. He never even reached the base.
I was thinking, "Go ahead and pull him. Send a message."
But it's way too late. That message conceivably could have been sent 18 months ago when it happened in a nondescript mid-June game vs. Oakland.
"Schlittler allowed four runs (two earned) over 4 1/3 innings. He struck out only two batters on his 76 pitches (56 strikes). The errors drove his pitch count up, and Boone said that might have affected his ace’s effectiveness."
Schlittler wasn't particularly sharp and the Rays were putting the bat on the ball. But that's the strategy. Don't strike out, foul off the tough ones, and put the ball in play.
We'll just never know what would have happened if the defense had played well. Schlittler may have thrown seven shutout innings. He'd be receiving praise for getting the win in a must-win game and for efficiently pitching to contact.