Weekly Yankees Recap: Home Runs, Key Players, and Manager Decisions

Get the Latest on the Yankees' Week in Review and What to Expect Ahead

As part of my weekly Yankees blog, I’ll provide a quick update on the games from the previous week and highlight any key matchups or players to watch in the upcoming week.

Game 3: Yankees vs. Milwaukee Brewers

The last game against the Milwaukee Brewers on 3/30, was another homerun-filled affair. Jazz Chisholm hit two home runs, and Aaron Judge added another to his already impressive homerun tally this season. The Yankees would go on to sweep the Brewers, enjoying a weekend full of power-hitting. It was an exciting display of Yankees offense, with both Judge and Chisholm leading the way!

Game 1: Yankees vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

In the next series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, it was Corbin Burnes' first game with his new team. It was a surprising matchup, with the D-Backs sending their ace to the mound while the Yankees had their sixth starter. Despite the disparity, it turned into a pitcher's duel. Will Warren pitched 5 innings, allowing 1 hit, 2 earned runs, and 4 strikeouts. While he struggled with 4 walks, his pitches were sharp and looked unhittable at times.

After Warren, Fernando Cruz came in and looked impressive. Cruz, who mentioned in the offseason that he loves being a Yankee, could become a key part of the Yankees bullpen. His strikeout ability is exactly what the Yankees need. In a recent Yankees social media post, Cruz shared an emotional moment about wanting to have dinner with his late mother, showing the deep meaning of being a Yankee to him.

Jasson and Ben Shine in Game 1 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Jasson Dominguez hit his first home run of the year. It’s amazing to watch how well he handles top-tier pitchers. Two years ago, in his first MLB at-bat, Jasson hit a homer off future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander, so it makes sense that he took Corbin Burnes deep. It just shows that Dominguez isn’t intimidated by any pitcher.

Meanwhile, Ben Rice continues to impress with his bat, showing a real potential to be a Rookie of the Year candidate this season. He’s been a crucial part of the offense, and his ability to hit consistently will likely make him one of the Yankees’ most important hitters this year.

Aaron Boone’s Managerial Decisions: A Look at Early-Season Moves

Manager Aaron Boone has already come under scrutiny in my opinion for his managerial decisions early in the season. In Game 1 against the Diamondbacks, Boone made a curious call in the 8th inning. Instead of leaving lefty Tim Hill in the game after just 4 pitches, Boone pulled him and gave the ball to Mark Leiter Jr., who walked two batters and eventually gave up a grand slam. Boone’s trust in Hill has been questionable, dating back to Game 1 of the World Series, when he brought in Nestor Cortes instead of Hill. Boone also kept Leiter in too long when it was clear he didn’t have his best stuff. Why not bring in Luke Weaver to preserve the lead?

Additionally, Boone made another questionable move when he chose to have Pablo Reyes pinch-hit with the Yankees trailing 7-4. Reyes was a non-roster invitee during spring training, and while he had a good showing, it’s always important to remember that spring training stats don’t always translate to the regular season.

Game 2: Yankees vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

The next game saw Zac Gallen on the mound for the Diamondbacks. Gallen entered the game with a 2-0 record, a 0.00 ERA, and 14 career strikeouts against the Yankees. In this game, Gallen pitched 7 innings, striking out 13 and allowing zero runs. He proved to be a true Yankee Killer, as he dominated the Yankees’ hitters. Fortunately for New York, they won’t face him again this season—unless it’s in the World Series.

Game 3: Yankees vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

In Game 3, the Yankees offense exploded once again. Jazz Chisholm and Aaron Judge both hit home runs (once again), helping the Yankees secure a win. One key takeaway from this game is Ben Rice—this guy could very well be the Yankees' third-best hitter this year. His performance so far has been nothing short of impressive, and it’s exciting to see how he’ll continue to develop. The only question I have for him is how well he can adapt. Other teams will figure out how to pitch to him so I want to see how he can adjust back to them. 

Game 1: Yankees vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Yankees began their three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday afternoon. As expected, Aaron Judge hit another home run. The Yankees relied on small ball to win the game 9-4.

Game 2: Yankees vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Yankees offense continued to shine in this game, but the main talking point is Marcus Stroman. He struggled once again in his second outing of the year, and it's starting to look like this may be his new normal. In previous seasons, you could always count on him for a strong start to the year, only for him to fade in the second half. This year, I’m hopeful that Stroman can turn it around sooner rather than later, as the Yankees will need his consistency to remain competitive throughout the season.

Next Week:

The New York Yankees will finish up their series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. After that, they’ll head to Detroit for a three-game series, followed by another three-game series in New York against the San Francisco Giants. These six games will serve as a significant test for the Yankees' offense, as they will face the Tigers' top three starters and the Giants, who are known for their strong pitching staff. I’m intrigued to see how the Yankees handle these challenges and how their offense performs against top-tier pitchers. 

Final Thoughts - The Yankees continue to dominate with their powerful offense, but managerial decisions and pitching adjustments will be something to watch as the season progresses. With players like Jasson Dominguez and Ben Rice stepping up, this team has a bright future. Stay tuned for more updates on Yankees games, player performances, and what to expect in the upcoming week!