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New York Post | Ken Davidoff: Over the past decade, Yankees fans have complained about the team’s struggles in clutch-hitting spots. This year, however, that story has changed as the Yankees own the highest team batting average with runners in scoring position in the league at .286. Luke Voit. who is hitting .300/.455/.620 in 66 PA with runners in scoring position, attributes his and their success to the coaches. their preparation, and self-awareness:
That’s me doing my homework, too. Pitchers do pitch a little differently with guys in scoring position than they do if there’s nobody on. They attack me. They’re throwing me sliders. They know I can hit a fastball, so they’re throwing me their best secondary pitch. [...] Sometimes, with runners in scoring position, I’m trying to get that three-run homer. And that’s when I strike out.
Voit failed to mention any connection between the inverse ratio of hits and undone buttons on his jersey.
ESPN | Coley Harvey: Big, large, humongous reinforcements are on their way. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are entering the final phase of their rehab assignments as both injured outfielders will be playing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday. Aaron Boone thinks that after this full weekend series and an off-day on Monday, Stanton could return to the big league squad by Tuesday. Judge’s timetable is a bit longer.
Regardless of actual return dates, it’s time to start readying the canoes in the Long Island Sound—home runs are coming.
NJ.com | Brendan Kuty: At only 20 years young, the Yankees’ top pitching prospect, Deivi Garcia, is impressing with the Double-A Trenton Thunder. With a 3.50 ERA and 52 strikeouts across 36 innings, Garcia is putting on a show in a league where he’s four-and-a-half years younger than the average player. He’s caught the eye of Thunder manager Pat Osborn, who said of the young righty:
I think the reason that he is able to be an above average starter at Double-A as a 20-year old is his pure stuff and competitive ability. He has got the makings of a kid who is pretty special.
Dear Brian Cashman, please don’t trade this one.