Dear Yankees fans
After a very long offseason, it's time we unite once again, as the 2019 Yankees are set to open up their 2019 campaign on Thursday in the Bronx against the supposedly lowly Baltimore Orioles. But before I get into that, I would like to take a step back and tell you what to expect for the upcoming season.
LOTS OF HRS:
Yes, we may have not landed Machado or Harper. But this lineup is still pretty scary, and is poised to break their own record of 267 bombs this season, especially with the acquisitions of DJ Lemaihu, and Troy Tulowitzki, as those guys were great pickups, by the Yankees, and while they might not have the power that Judge and Stanton have. They can get on base and extend innings, which gives more opportunities for some more long bombs!
FEWER STRIKEOUTS:
Yankees GM Brian Cashman stressed the importance this offseason of limiting the strikeouts, as the Yankees were known last year, as a Homer or bust team at the plate. But this year, with guys like Tulowitzki and DJ, to go along with the poised improvement of Giancarlo Stanton, you should be seeing less Yankee strikeouts in 2019.
A GOOD BENCH:
Besides pitching, the Yankees addressed their infield depth, by acquiring Tulowitzki, Lemiahu and for injury purposes Mark Tachman. The Yankees will also have reliable backup catcher Austin Romine on their bench as well as the newly improved Greg Bird.
Last year, the Yankees had lots of injuries, especially in the infield and were lacking depths to those positions, which is why they needed to make some last minute trades for guys like Adeiny Hecheveria and OF Andrew Mccutchen.
But in 2019, the Yankees should be able to withstand those injuries, with this bench group.
BETTER STARTING PITCHING:
The Achilles heel for the Yankees last season was starting pitching and going into the offseason, the Yankees brass made it clear that they were going to fix that, and they did by acquiring James Paxton from Seattle, as well as obtaining JA Happ, and CC Sabathia.
The Yankees also added veteran Gio Gonzalez at the end of the offseason, but that was for injury purposes, as you will see later.
Overall, the Yankees pitching staff, which consists of Luis Severino, James Paxton, JA Happ, Masahiro Tanaka, and CC Sabathia, is not the best of rotations but is a big improvement from last year.
Expect a better Yankees rotation in 2019!
A RUTHLESS BULLPEN:
Last year, the Yankees bullpen was electric, keeping them in, and even winning them games.
This year is no different, as the Yankees added to their already fearless bullpen, by signing star Adam Ottavino. That acquisition completed a 6 headed monster, of Jonathan Holder, Chad Green, Delin Betances, Ottavino, Zack Britton, and Aroldis Chapman.
Unfortunately for the Yankees, Delin Betances will start the season after going down via shoulder inflammation, so with that, the Yankees will have reliable youngster Stephen Tarpley fill in for him.
INJURIES:
It's a long season, so expect injuries. As I've mentioned before, we already do have injuries, CC, Severino, Aaron Hicks, Delin Betances, and Didi Gregorius will all start the season on the IL ( Injured List).
Fortunately for the Yankees, they have guys to withstand those injuries, as mentioned before.
A FAST START:
The Yankees have an easy schedule to start the season, as their first 9 games are against the supposedly lowly Orioles and Detroit Tigers. in fact, 43 of the Yankees first 50 games are against teams that were .500 or lower last year. So in my opinion, the Yankees should be able to begin the season strong, starting Thursday, when Tanaka takes the hill against Orioles right-hander Andrew Cashner, at 1:05 PM from the Bronx.
A PUMPED UP FAN BASE:
Yes, I'm talking about us as a fan base. Championship- caliber teams like the 2019 Yankees, love feeding off of their fan base, especially when they are down. So if we want to ultimately capture that World Series crown, we need to get behind this team! Sure, there will be negatives during the long season, but even then, we can't give up.
Not only do the players need to keep fighting, but also us as a fan base. We need to pick each other up when we are down, and just keep pushing forward. So whether you are going to Opening Day or not, just watching on TV or listening on the radio. We need to unite, as the chase for title number 28 marches on.
Savor the wins, cherish the losses, so you can be even happier when the wins come, and buckle up!
Because here we go!
LET'S GO YANKEES!
Love
Marvin Azrak
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