The second game of the Blue Jays and Yankees series is being started by the Yankees’ ace Max Fried. He was the first ten-game winner in the major leagues and has been pitching outstandingly this season. He is opposed by Kevin Gausman, the ace of the Blue Jays’ staff. This should be a good afternoon game on Canada Day. With their ace going in this second game, the Yankees have a very good chance of winning. Do you think that the Yankees having their ace pitcher gives the Yankees an excellent chance of winning?
Second Game in Toronto Presents an Opportunity for Yanks
In the second game in Toronto, the Yankees have their ace Max Fried starting for them. He has pitched great this season, and this is an essential game for the Yankees to win. It will be tough going up against Toronto ace Kevin Gausman. That will be a particular challenge given that the Yankees are struggling to hit against even mediocre pitchers. Nevertheless, Fried, who is 10-2 with a microscopic 1.92 earned run average, gives the Yankees an advantage. He goes against Guasman, who himself has pretty good statistics. He is 6-6 with a 4.21 earned run average.
Judge Falters
The two home runs hit by Judge on Sunday against the Athletics did not spark him in Toronto. He was intentionally walked with a runner on first base, a rarity (moving a runner up on the bases in a baseball no-no). He had a couple more strikeouts in this game. It’s interesting how the Yankees seem to hit like he does. With that being the case, he needs to hit. The judge was intentionally walked in the eighth inning as well. That was the second intentional walk of the game.
Injury to Wells Presents an Opportunity
As is often the case, injuries to starters present opportunities for other players. Austin Wells and his injured finger are not yet on the injured list, but his absence from the lineup does present some opportunities for other people who can catch. The first beneficiary is J C Esacarra, who is nominally the backup catcher.
The second beneficiary is Ben Rice, who proved he could play catcher on Saturday when he made several nice plays. With the return of Giancarlo Stanton, there is a bit of a playing time crunch on the Yankees. The fact that Rice can catch will help him stay in the lineup. Given Escarra started at catcher for the Yankees in the first game of the series, it is likely Rice will catch the second game of the series, a day game after a night game.
Also interesting is the injury to Trent Grisham. Jasson Dominguez came in for him last night and is likely to receive more playing time in the future. Maybe if Grisham has to go on the injured list, the Yankees will call up super prospect Spencer Jones. He was promoted to AAA Scranton just last week, and he hit a home run in his first at-bat. He has been rumored to be called up to the Yankees, but he strikes out a lot. He should fit right in with the Yankees. It is right to wonder whether he could catch a quick flight and play for the Yankees in this second game.
Conclusion
With Max Fried starting for the Yankees in this second game of the series, the Yankees have a good chance of winning. Fried has been excellent following Yankee losses. There are also some opportunities on the roster with a few key injured players. Things may get exciting for the Yankees if they call up big-time prospect Spencer Jones.
