Yankees Struggle with Bench Management in ALDS Game 2
It raises the question: what’s the use of having a bench filled with right-handed hitters if only one is utilized over three innings against a left-handed reliever, especially when you’re facing a crucial moment in the season?
This was the dilemma for the Yankees on Monday night during Game 2 of the ALDS against the Rays. They found themselves down 5-1 in the sixth inning when Ian Seymour, the lefty reliever, took the mound.
Aaron Boone opted to keep left-handed hitters Luis García Jr. and Spencer Jones in the game during the sixth, and then maintained three more lefties in the seventh (Jazz Chisholm Jr., Trent Grisham, and Austin Wells), all of whom were retired by Seymour.
Only in the eighth inning did Boone decide to pinch-hit Paul Goldschmidt for Ryan McMahon. Unfortunately, that move resulted in a harmless pop-up, contributing to another disappointing offensive display, except for Ben Rice’s two solo home runs.
“I see Seymour as fairly neutral,” Boone stated on Tuesday. “Had the situation been different, like if we had runners on base, I likely would have used a right-handed hitter. But at that point, it was 5-1, and my focus turned to getting guys on base to create some opportunity, maybe set up spots for Giancarlo Stanton or Goldschmidt or Heliot Ramos.”
This season, left-handed batters had a .244 average with a .789 OPS against Seymour, while righties managed just a .217 average and a .683 OPS.
Brent Headrick, who was heavily relied upon during the regular season—pitching in 81 of 161 games—had generally performed well, allowing only 14.8 percent of inherited runners to score, which positioned him sixth among qualified relievers. Yet, as the season wrapped up, it seemed he was running low on gas, and his velocity drop appeared to follow him into the playoffs.
In Game 2, his fastball averaged 93.2 mph, a dip from his season average of 94.1. This decline was notable as he allowed a two-run single to Richie Palacios in the fifth inning, following an error by George Lombard Jr. that extended the inning.
“We’ve seen his velocity fluctuate between 91 to 94 in these last few outings, and if we can consistently keep him around 94, he should remain effective,” pitching coach Matt Blake commented on Tuesday.
“Getting the slider to strike effectively has become essential, along with using the offspeed pitches, which he managed well in the latter part of the season. He needs to focus on the splitter against righties and command his fastball effectively. At this stage in the year, he’s been used a lot; staying fresh while still making crucial pitches is vital,” Blake added.
After returning to New York early Tuesday, the Yankees held an optional workout at Yankee Stadium. Boone had suggested on Monday that he hoped most players would take some time to rest.
“Whatever the guys feel is best for them today… I hope they managed to sleep a bit and recover,” Boone remarked. “I anticipate some will come in to stretch and prepare behind the scenes for [Wednesday].”
