BAROMETRIC PRESSURE:

Well, we’re down to the final month of the regular 2018 baseball season.  As of today, the Yankees’ record is 86 wins & 50 losses.  They are 7 games behind the Red Sox (in the loss column).  With 26 games to go, they will be facing the Red Sox six times, including three games as their last games of the season (in Boston).  Can the Yankees sweep the Red Sox during all of those six games?  In baseball, anything that’s mathematically possible is technically, well…possible.  This season, the Red Sox have certainly been the most consistent and dominating team, with the best record in all of baseball - damn, that was hard to type!

As I pointed out in my last article, the Yankees needed to improve their team and they had accomplished that feat (by the end of the non-waiver trade deadline).  What they had not accomplished at that time was recently (2 days ago) accomplished by the end of the “waiver” trade deadline.  That’s when they attained an additional/insurance outfielder, Andrew McCutchen.  They also acquired a backup shortstop who has an awesome glove, Adeiny Hechavarria.  I have been a fan of McCutchen’s for many years.  I even watched his creative and genuine proposal to his (then) girlfriend, Maria Hansloven, on the Ellen DeGeneres Show almost 5 years ago!  He has a very respectful character and, from a baseball standpoint, is similar to Brett Gardner, offensively; but, McCutchen does hit more doubles.

Unfortunately, both of these acquisitions are here mainly because the Yankees have two injuries, Aaron Judge and Didi Gregorius.  Judge was expected to be out for 3 weeks, per the Yankees - that was July 26, which is now over 5 weeks ago.  Anyone who has experienced broken bones or chips knows that it takes at least six weeks for non-athletes.  The Yankees must have consulted the Mets’ physicians for that awful miscalculation!  Hopefully, Judge will be healthy and ready to play baseball in 2-3 weeks from now.  That will give him ample time to gain some very important live at-bats, prior to the playoffs.  As for Didi, he is expected to be back by the end of this week.  In the interim, and just in case his injury also lingers too long, Hechavarria will certainly be able to play shortstop defensively.

As the Yankees are now closing in on the finish line, can the current team (even without Aaron Judge) win the division or even go all the way to the World Series?  I must admit that even I have some doubts, not about them winning the wildcard, but about them going all the way without Judge.  His presence in the lineup adds so much value.  Let’s hope Judge comes back healthy and soon!  In the interim, somebody has to prove the Red Sox can be beaten.  The Yankees failed to do that the last round (when they were swept); but, over the next few weeks, they will get a chance for redemption and, more importantly, results.  An official Yankees’ barometer would surely help us know what is supposed to happen during this very unpredictable season.  I wish I had one!