Game Day - April 1st - AL East Block Party
San Francisco Giants @ New York
When the Plan Doesn’t Come Together
Of the Yankees starting lineup, only 4 of the 10 hitters had a positive game score. The Giants had the same number of batters but they had 6 positive game score. The Yankees found 2 home runs in their lineup today but the Giants were able to offset with two of their own. Early in the year, the lineup will be the difference maker for the Yankees and it didn’t do enough to make up for a lackluster pitching performance
The first question I have for the next game is, how will the number three starter fare for the Yankees? Jhony Brito is scheduled to start. I saw his last start of the spring and he looked really good. Can he keep that going into the regular season?
The next question is, who are the Giants? Shut out in game one and 7 runs in game two. The Dodgers have not looked impressive in their opening series and the Padres are having a hard time with the Rockies. What is the NL west this year and can the Giants fill a role higher in the standings this season?
Baltimore Orioles @ Boston Red Sox
It was the Longerst of Years, It was the Funnest of Years
The Red Sox won a game they, against most other teams, they probably lose. The Orioles’ bats were hot early but the Red Sox bullpen made up for a poor start by Sale. I know this is one start but where does the confidence come from when the Red Sox starters were beaten up two games in a row? Does the red Sox offense make this kind of a comeback if they face a team with any competent pitching? If we could get 162 games of these teams playing each other that would be great. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, I don’t feel like they are trending upwards, I think they were able to come back against a team that is liable to give up comebacks. I hope today’s offensive display is something they can replicate for the fans. There can be a lot of fun games with the highs and lows baseball is capable of handing out. It really felt like the start of this game was going to be the norm for the season. The mood in the stadium was low and sullen. The comeback was fun, but it doesn’t look like a season-long plan for success.
The Orioles have a brighter future, but I think they have seen what this team is all about in ’23. If I’m a fan, I am going to watch the half-inning where the team is hitting and playing with the cat or dog when the team is pitching. Game results don’t matter, only players getting experience.
