mvp 78

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-yankees-have-been-bronx-bummers-so-far/ The Yankees hit bottom this past weekend, not once but multiple times. Projected to be the AL’s best team, they’re instead the worst thus far, with a 5–10 record and a five-game losing streak. On Friday, they played so badly against the Rays that Yankee Stadium fans started hurling baseballs back onto the field, and afterwards, manager Aaron Boone dressed his players down in a closed-door meeting. In terms of outcomes, the stern lecture didn’t help, as the Yankees lost again on Saturday and Sunday, making it the first time they’ve been swept this year. It was an embarrassing display that plays into stereotypes of the fan base’s sense of entitlement. The sweep marked their seventh straight series loss to the Rays dating back to September 24–25, 2019, a stretch that includes last year’s Division Series; the Yankees are 5–17 against the Rays in that span. So what’s ailing the Yankees, who at the outset of the season were projected for an AL-best 95.4 wins? First and foremost, they’re in the midst of a power outage and are scoring just 3.67 runs per game, second-to-last in the AL. Their .346 slugging percentage is in a virtual tie for the major league’s lowest, and while some of that is a function of their .210 batting average (the AL’s second-lowest, one point ahead of Cleveland), their .136 isolated power is 13th, and their 16 homers are 10th. For a team that ranked second last year in slugging (.447) and homers (94) and first in ISO (.200), that’s a nasty surprise. Then there’s the defense, which is 11th in the AL in defensive efficiency (.684, 10 points below league average) and last in Defensive Runs Saved (-7). The infield in particular is a mess right now. Torres is already shaky at shortstop, with -14 DRS in 1,096.1 innings since the start of 2019. With Bruce’s inadequate production at first base, LeMahieu has been playing there lately while Odor plays second — a significant step backwards based upon their respective bodies of work even before considering the latter’s .125/.192/.250 line in 26 PA.

Re: Vaz @byJulianMack It's now a bunt single

ChiSox should just concede at this point. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/zack-burdi/19159/stats?position=P

Did they update Vaz' scoring on the first AB? It's showing a hit now on gameday.

3 outs and 54 pitches. Doesn't sound good!

How about another 40 pitches this inning?

JD is def back, right? It's almost confirmed at this point.

JD trying to send Giolito back to bed.

Did Nate just strike out the side?

Jay Bruce announces retirement.

DFA Kiké

I've tried to convince myself that RBI is playable, but the fielding is truly awful. Also, the running mechanics are very bad. I just want the MVP 04 game mechanics back.

Modern day record of pitches in one AB is 21, by Brandon Belt. Dalbec saw 36% of Giolito's pitches this inning.

This AB....

When will Dalbec break out?

Considering how horrible my team was in week 2, don't sweat this week out.

No Switch release? RBI Baseball doesn't hold up.

Let's hit around. Sounds good to me.

Also, Renfroe shouldn't ever play against RHP. He's been horrible.

Franchy is due for a HR soon.

HR single single single single single

When you lose a double header the day before, you better come out hot the next day.

I think he goes to 2B. He only goes to 3B if they are moving Devers to DH or LF. They have enough guys to play 1B so it doesn't make much sense to transition Devers there. I bet they see how Downs plays this year and either has him take over for Xander at some point or trade him. I'm not sold on Xander retiring as a Red Sox either. I worry they trade him before his contract is up.

@redsoxstats Fangraphs has 26 balls hit into Bogaerts' zone this year and him converting 16 of them, 62%. Shortstop league average is 74%. Still a small sample, but this basic part of defense is where he needs to be good. 2016: 79% 2017: 77% 2018: 76% 2019: 78% 2020: 72% 2021: 62% I think there is legitimate concern that Xander could be moved off position this offseason. Unfortunately, there are zero guys in house that can play SS. Lots of 2B/3B guys.

I'm not a big believer in the Jays just because of their pitching. Aside from Ryu, that's a team you can score on. Maybe the Yankees are just a media driven paper tiger? Time will have to tell.