Just For The Record

I watched the play-offs between Tampa and the Cheaters and, of course, between The Braves and Dodgers ( LA ). 

It worked out pretty well, although I hyperventilated at the thought that the Astros might come back from three down, taking away our record.  It is nice to " own" this humiliating failure. 

So here are my observations;

1.  The Tampa team won because of extraordinary defense,  team speed, excellent pitching and a rookie who makes Judge's rookie year look like amateur hour. 

Quietly, they hit more home runs than the " Bronx Bombers," although they score by every means available. Huge offensive displays are not common for them.. They win 4-2; 4-3. 

Their defenders are worth watching.  The plays are Jeter-like, and beyond. Everyone on that team is like Urshela at his best, all the time  Only faster. 

2.  The Dodgers are also excellent at defense ( a notch below Tampa ), have excellent pitching, and can hit. They can score 11 runs in the first inning. 

The thing about the Dodgers is that they have a deep line-up and bench.  In these Covid series' ( 5 games in a row, 7 in a row, etc ), depth ...quality depth...makes a difference. When the Dodgers needed fresh blood it was first string stuff.  They didn't put up a bunch of slow fat guys who strike out, and can't run or play their position very well.

3.  It made me realize how far below these teams ( and the opponents who lost...Atlanta and the Cheaters ) the Yankees reside. 

Our pitching is basically one starter and everyone else. I saw better rookie starters from the competing teams than Garcia, King, Schmidt or whomever we trotted out, combined.  Our bullpen is 2-3 reliable guys but no one whose star shines above any of the pitchers the Dodgers or Tampa trot out. Every pitcher throws 98-100, so El Chappy is no longer unique. 

In our infield, we have two great fielders ( Urshela and DJ ) and two below average...including SS and first base. What I am saying is that Torres and Voit are not even close to the SS and FB play of any of the four finalists.  They make game winning plays.  We make game losing plays. 

Our catching doesn't measure up at all.  The Dodgers and Tampa each have two guys that are better in every way than either player we suit up with the big glove. Maybe they don't have the "potential upside" of Sanchez.....but maybe we don't either. 

Judge is a quality outfielder and, if he could hold his average up in the .280-.300 range, and remain healthy, he could start for at least one of the finalists.  Hicks is several notches below the CF for any of the four final teams. He doesn't have their speed, their arms, their athleticism, and he doesn't hit as well. And while Gardy is a decent defender, the package pales by comparison.

And when we go to the bench, we are reaching for AAAA guys.  Not potential all stars. Not future starters. 

So the Yankees are not in the class of any of these four finalists...and, by the way, those teams are loaded with youth., energy and enthusiasm. And I don't even know about other teams hiding in the weeds. 

When next season rolls around, I think we must seriously consider," making the wild card round," the top of our game.  Don't give me all the HR stats and that crap.  Don't tell me of our " beastly " line-up showing up together. 

Sure, we'll beat the dogs of the league. But that is it.  That is wild card level. 

As for the big time, we have no chance as presently constituted. 

None at all.