Hours after the New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox in an epic 16-inning affair, the two teams prepare for the doubleheader that is actually on the schedule.
Good Morning Yankee Family! As you get ready for your day, know that whatever you have planned to tackle this Sunday pales in comparison to the arduous task that both Yankees manager Joe Girardi and Red Sox manager John Farrell have on their plates following last night’s near six-hour contest.
For starters, the Yankees have announced that C.C. Sabathia will take the mound for game one this afternoon and not Bryan Mitchell. Prior to the series in Fenway, Sabathia was said to be in good health, but would not pitch in the series in Boston.
Pitching Change:
LHP CC Sabathia will now start Game 1 of tomorrow's doubleheader. RHP Masahiro Tanaka will start Game 2.— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) July 16, 2017
But with both Aroldis Chapman and Dellin Betances having pitched on two consecutive nights, it makes the most sense to have Sabathia start and use Mitchell to help a taxed out New York bullpen.
Speaking of which, another potential problem to keep an eye on during today’s double dip is the question of who will serve as closer for both teams.
Not only has Chapman thrown in high-leverage situations the previous two nights, but Boston closer Craig Kimbrel threw 26 pitches during last night’s wild game. So, it will be interesting to see what each manager decides to do when given a late inning lead in either game today.
The pitching won’t be the only thing to watch out for today either; as the other large storyline of this doubleheader is how the everyday players will respond to playing 16 innings last night, only to be thrown into the fire for another 18 today.
Didi Gregorius didn’t start yesterday’s game because Girardi wanted him to play both ends of the doubleheader today. As you know by now, Gregorius entered the game in the late innings of regulation and came up huge when it mattered most in the 16th.
Didi Gregorius is the first Yankees player to have the game-winning hit in the 16th inning or later of a game at Fenway Park. pic.twitter.com/UzVc0eewKw
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 16, 2017
Similarly, Starlin Castro was activated from the disabled list prior to yesterday’s game. With Tyler Wade and Rob Refsnyder down in the minors and Ronald Torreyes’ recent struggles at the keystone, Castro may have to go hard and go often in Boston this afternoon and evening.
In any event; if game management is your thing and/or you enjoy meticulously breaking down game theory and strategy, then get your thinking caps on because today is bound to be full of managerial mastery and blunders to be scrutinized alike.
That’s all from Yankee Universe for now. Be sure to stay locked in right here at Elite Sports NY for all of your latest Yankee news and updates.
Like Ernie Banks famously coined, “Let’s Play Two!”
