Daily Report – 8/3/26
Yankees
Somehow, the Yankees managed to win six of 10 games on their road trip despite scoring three runs or fewer in seven of them. They also took two of three games from the Chicago Cubs this weekend despite scoring just two runs in each.
It’s remarkable. Miraculous, even. And it’s all a testament to the Yankees’ starting pitching. Will Warren, Max Fried, and Gerrit Cole combined to allow just two runs over 17 2/3 innings this weekend, while the lineup went a combined 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
It figures that the Yankees’ best performer was Spencer Jones, who homered on Friday and Saturday despite heavy wind at the Friendly Confines. Behind him, José Caballero went 2-for-3 yesterday with a two-run home run in the third inning that held up.
Gerrit Cole’s command wasn’t excellent, but his stuff was good enough for 5 2/3 one-run innings and a 2-1 Yankees win. He gave up four hits, struck out five batters, and walked three.
“It was just a bit of a scrappy day,” Cole said. “Command was a little fleeting. Stuff was, I think, affected by the wind. I would’ve liked not to have walked some guys, but at the same time, we were going for it and just missing. Sometimes that happens, and that’s what you’ve got to work with.”
In the sixth inning, with two outs, Cole walked Ian Happ, loading the bases and ending his outing. Aaron Boone called Brent Headrick out of the bullpen. In the seventh inning on Saturday, he allowed his first run since July 9, after Nico Hoerner homered off Fernando Cruz to tie the game.
With two outs, Cruz walked Pedro Ramírez, turning the lineup over, and Headrick entered the game. With a 2-2 count, he couldn’t hide a slider from Pete Crow-Armstrong, who laced a go-ahead triple to right field because Jasson Domínguez misplayed the ball.
The next batter, Seiya Suzuki, slid a fastball through the infield grass, scoring Crow-Armstrong and putting Chicago ahead 4-2.
But yesterday, Headrick bounced right back. With two outs and the bases loaded in the sixth inning, he overcame a 3-0 count to Hoerner. The first strike was a lucky call, and on the next pitch, Hoerner flied out to center field.
In the seventh inning, Headrick struck out the side. Paul Blackburn and David Bednar then combined for a scoreless eighth inning, and Bednar completed his four-out save in the ninth, despite walking his second batter. With this win, the Yankees improved to 13-16 in one-run games, and 4-3 since the All-Star break.
“We’ve been playing rather effectively in close games,” Cole said. “The reality is, they scored one. We made it stick. We’ve just got to meet the game where it is that day, keep pushing, keep a positive mindset, and keep trying to play crisp ball.”
With the trade deadline approaching tonight at 6 PM, the market is moving rapidly. After yesterday’s win, the Yankees, desperate for offense, traded for Luis García Jr., whose .560 slugging percentage leads the National League and ranks third in the Majors behind Ben Rice (.561).
García owns a .283 batting average with 23 home runs and 76 RBI, the fourth most in the NL. The Yankees traded right-handed pitchers Jake Bird and Yovanny Cruz, along with right-handed pitching prospects Ben Grable and Jack Cebert, to the Washington Nationals for García, whom they will control through the end of next season.
When asked about García, Boone initially said, “He rakes.” Once the trade became official, he added, “He’s been a hitter that’s really come of age this year. Really one of the best left-vs.-right hitters in the National League this year. We think he fits our ballpark very well and should help.
“Hopefully, give us a little jolt to our offense, which has, obviously, scuffled here a little bit over an extended period. So, we’re excited about him, hear great things about him, and can’t wait to see him impact our lineup.”
In the last 30 days, the Yankees rank 26th in MLB in runs scored (90), 27th in hits (183) and RBI (85), and 29th in batting average (.218). It remains unclear when, or if, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton will return. For now, García (.918 OPS vs. righties) will likely platoon with Paul Goldschmidt (.988 OPS vs. lefties) at first base, with Ben Rice serving as the designated hitter.
Speaking of Rice, the Yankees still have to fill their massive hole at catcher, but Rice will not be that guy. He can catch, but his defensive metrics are mediocre, which the Yankees feel matters more than having an extra bat in their lineup.
What this means, though, is that trading for a catcher remains a possibility. Position players haven’t moved as much in the trade market as pitchers yet, so the Yankees should do whatever it takes to fill that gap today. Austin Wells and Ali Sánchez aren’t cutting it.
Happy deadline day to those who celebrate. To those who don’t, please send the Yankees a catcher, a swing-and-miss reliever, and a right-handed-hitting outfielder by 6 PM sharp.
Thank you.
Tonight at 7:05 PM, the Yankees will begin a three-game set against the St. Louis Cardinals, part of a nine-game homestand featuring St. Louis, Atlanta, Seattle, and two off days.
RHP Cam Schlittler (10-6, 2.04 ERA) will toe the slab for the Yankees tonight against RHP Michael McGreevy (4-9, 3.57 ERA) (YES, Gotham Sports).
Schedule
7:05 PM: NYY vs. STL; YES, Gotham Sports; SP: RHP Cam Schlittler (10-6, 2.04 ERA) vs. RHP Michael McGreevy (4-9, 3.57 ERA)
5:00 PM: Yankees Lineup – Trade Deadline Special; YES
6:00 PM: Audi Batting Practice Today; YES
6:30 PM: FanDuel Yankees Pregame; YES
Cover Image Courtesy: New York Yankees
