The New York Yankees are keeping it lit with another incredible week filled with diving plays, clutch home runs and memorable homecomings.
The New York Yankees have done it once again. They’ve exceeded all expectations and given the fans hope that maybe this isn’t just a rebuilding year.
Going 4-2 in the last week, they defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in a home series before heading on the road to shock the reigning World Series champion Chicago Cubs at Wrigley.
Behind the scores, though, there are some stellar plays that happened that kept the magic going for the Yankees. And what they are doing is truly magical.
Now 19-9 on the season, the Yankees are proving their hot start is not a fluke. They are defeating opponents who have some incredible talent on the field. But they’re getting the job done.
Check out this week’s top plays and let us revel in the beauty that is another winning week.
CRUSHED! STARLIN CASTRO BIG HOME RUN.@SpikeLee approves & the @Yankees are dominating the Cubs on FOX. pic.twitter.com/cvB24cbHtZ
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 7, 2017
6. Castro’s Blast
Starlin Castro has been red-hot. It was even more impressive seeing him launch a two-run home run at his former ballpark.
Castro took a Felix Pena curveball deep to left field at Wrigley Field, where he played six seasons before being traded to the Yankees. Not only was his home run impressive, but he’s been crushing the ball and leads the American League in hits.
Castro has been a key player for the Yankees and was still an asset in his time in Chicago. Sorry, Cubs, but we’re not letting him go as easily as you.
Thanks to Castro, the Yankees were able to blow out his former team. I’ll take a no-doubter like that any day.
5. Hicks’ acrobatic snag
Aaron Hicks is taking full advantage of his time out on the field with a Jacoby Ellsbury injury. Not only is he crushing pitches at the plate, he has proven he’s one of the top-caliber defensive outfielders in the league.
On a blustery Friday afternoon in the windy city, Hicks nabbed a hit from phenom Addison Russell with a stellar diving catch. That’s something we’ve been missing from Ellsbury for the past two seasons.
Hicks made the play and followed up with a nice somersault to add a little bit of flash to the effort. Well done, Hicks. He’s literally begging for a starting spot and has proven he can do it.
Hicks’ diving catch has been on replay for me all weekend long. He just makes every play look extraordinary.
4. Holliday’s 300th homer
Matt Holliday is starting to crush home runs and this one is probably the most important one on a personal note.
Holliday smacked his 300th career home run in the first inning, which helped the Yankees eliminate an early deficit to the Blue Jays. The shot to center field was just…wow.
That was his fifth home run of the young season and the Yankees are glad his power is coming back into play. He helps make the lineup far more dangerous than it looks on paper.
He’s having a Holliday this season and, in turn, he is giving the Yankees a nice little vacation from losing. I like it.
3. Aaron Judge’s Arm Cannon
Here comes the Judge. Aaron Judge’s bat has cooled down recently but his defense is just heating up.
Judge launched a one-hop laser to Ronald Torreyes at third to nab a hustling Jose Bautista. Bautista was attempting to go from first to third on a single to Judge.
The Yankees ended up dropping the game to the Blue Jays on Monday but at least we have a stellar highlight to look back on.
Originally called safe, after the replay, it was confirmed: Aaron Judge is an absolute beast. No objection there.
2. Jacoby Ellsbury’s grab at the wall
Made of glass, yet he runs full-speed into walls on a daily basis. That would be Jacoby Ellsbury. This time he made the catch but we ignore what comes after.
Ellsbury robbed Ryan Goins of another hit with a stellar, juggling catch at the wall. After, he attempted to flip the ball to Judge but tossed it over his head, allowing two runs to score.
But these are the TOP plays and that play was actually incredible. We just would like to forget what happened after that.
Ellsbury has been riding the pine for the most part after that catch due to an aggravated nerve in his left wrist. But he made the catch!
Next time you make a catch like that, let’s try and stay healthy. Okay, Jacoby?
1. The Gardner plants one!
You knew this was coming. Not just because I am a self-proclaimed Gardy Gal but because it truly was the best play of the week.
Game One against the reigning champs in blustery Chicago was not going the Yankees’ way. But when they were down to their final strike, Gardner made the Cubs pay.
Wind be damned, Gardner launched a line shot into the right-field stands, putting the Yankees ahead for good and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
That’s right, Brett Gardner crushed the shot heard ‘round the world. And it truly was the best play that has happened so far this year.
There’s far more to come this season and if these past few weeks have been any indication, the Yankees are ready to roll. Let’s see who is going to make the list after next week’s performance.
