Today on Pinstripe Alley - 8/6/21

The situation looked pretty dicey on Thursday night. The Yankees had already lost Gary Sánchez to the COVID-IL, the Mariners had a late lead, and considering that New York had no planned starter for Friday, the team was staring back-to-back losses in the eye. Thankfully, Joey Gallo picked a good time for his first homer in pinstripes, a beautiful, arcing 331-foot poke into the short porch. It didn’t even rank among the five furthest-hit balls on Thursday (condolences to Jonathan Davis’ 380-foot fly out), but it didn’t matter. The Yankees were up, and they held that lead despite a very shaky Aroldis Chapman.

The win puts the Yankees a game and a half back of the A’s for the second AL Wild Card spot, four behind free-falling Boston, and 5.5 games in back of the AL East-leading Rays. The playoff hunt is on. We can only hope that the Yankees continue their recent winning ways, and they’re going to need all the help they can get tonight. With Gerrit Cole and Jordan Montgomery still on the COVID-IL, they will ask the recently-returned Wandy Peralta to be the opener in a bullpen game. Gulp.

In the meantime, peruse the site! Emma will discuss DJ LeMahieu’s return to standard (but still solid) form, Josh will explore why blowout wins are so important to MLB teams, and Andrés will talk about the unlikely origins of new bullpen phenom Stephen Ridings. Later on, Jesse will praise the rock-solid Aaron Judge, and Ryan will answer your mailbag questions.

Today’s Matchup:

New York Yankees vs. Seattle Mariners

Time: 7:05 p.m. ET

TV: YES Network, ROOT NW

Radio: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280

Venue: Yankee Stadium

Fun Questions:

1. Were you glad that Aaron Boone left Aroldis Chapman in to face Mitch Haniger for the final out? Or would you have turned to Jonathan Loaisiga?

2. Acknowledging that surprise July 21st starter Asher Wojciechowski is no longer an option, if he was, would you rather he start tonight’s game, or Wandy Peralta as an opener?