One game in April means nothing. But a series against your main opponent... that brings takeaways!

Weird season, '21. We won't play Boston until June 4. (Yes, June Fourth.) By then, Chris Sales will be soft-tossing, Jeter Downs will be in Double A, the SI swimsuit edition will be in shreds, and unless somebody emerges, the Redsocks will be tanking - as they so artfully do in weird seasons, such as this. They're the Brood X cicadas of the AL East.  

It's the Rays and Jays that concern us, and  starting next weekend - April 9 - the Yanks play nine straight against these self-entitled, villainous frat-pigs. Six will happen in Florida - three in Tampa, three in Dunedin - where Toronto will play until Lake Ontario unfreezes and Fauci figures out Covid. Weird season, indeed, but happy days for Florida Men (and their 17-year-old concubines!) 

Which brings us to this: 

Happy Insert Religious Holiday everybody ! 

For Domingo German, this is Resurrection Day. If he pitches well - I'm thinking six innings, one run? - 2021 looks far more pleasanter. 

So... two games. One win. A million takeaways. (Distilled, for your convenience.)

1. Okay, it's great to see Gary Sanchez blasting HRs. Not complaining. This notion some people have that we at IIHIIFIIc whine about everything?... NOT TRUE! This is not a whine. It's a takeaway. I am not complaining. I'm fulminating. And in this fulmination, I would simply note that over his roller coaster career, Gary Sanchez HRs go in all directions. If he's swinging for the fences - well - another .146 batting average is possible. Can he adjust? Can he change? If not, don't be deceived by two HRs. By the way, Gary has yet to strike out this year. Not one! Wouldn't it be neat if he kept that streak going for, say, 10 games? Just keep putting the bat on the ball, Gary - that's all we're asking. And this is NOT a whine!)

2. On the other side of the fulmination fan... in eight ABs, Aaron "Hope" Hicks has struck out six times. One hit, one walk. Insert sigh here. The YES pre-season narrative went that Hicks would thrive hitting between the skyscrapers - Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton - elevating his stardom and value. Thus far, nothing. That trio has been a drain on the offense. (Stanton is 0-8.) They will surely wake up. But I'm less "Hopeful" on Hicks batting third.

3. Meanwhile, doncha leap from the bean chair whenever Clint Frazier comes into view? He is the one ascending star on this team - the hitter whose peak remains ahead of him. He is three for six. Of course, he bats ninth. (Not complaining: It's nice to start him out low in the order, so he can hit his way to a higher perch. If he keeps it up, though, Hicks must fall and Frazier needs to rise.)

4. Jonathan Loaisiga could be a breakout bullpen arm. But Aaron Boone better be careful. Loaisiga's career has always shown great talent and numerous injuries. If he becomes Boonie's Daily 8th, Loaisiga's health will be in danger. (I'm thinking of how good Tommy Kahnle looked last year, right around now - then, poof.) The Yankees must not Scott Proctor this kid. In fact, they might even make him a starter. Yes, it's more innings, but they can be more carefully planned. I leave this to the Yankee brain trust; I'm sure they're on it. (But when Boone hits a salad buffet for bullpen arms, he chooses whomever is hot. That's where we hit trouble.) 

Even in a weird season... and yes, this is one.