After another loss to the Rockies (6-3, this time), the Yankees have been swept to start what was supposed to be a two week stretch against a pair of very easy teams to beat. Although Wednesday’s game was significantly less crazy than Tuesday’s, it still ended with a tough loss.
Like most games the Yankees have played this season, it ended with more questions than they started with. Likely on the forefront of these questions is Ivan Nova’s fate. He’s now allowed 21 runs over his past five starts, and the early-season success looks more and more like a fluke. Nova only has two pitches he uses, and that may not be enough for him to start. Luis Severino has looked better in Triple-A recently, and we’re nearing the point where Severino replacing Nova seems like the best decision.
The offense has been better, but after a ten run explosion last night, three runs at Coors Field against bad Rockies pitching just isn’t good enough. Didi Gregorius has been playing well of late and Dellin Betances looks to be back in track after a weird stretch of games. Still, it wasn’t enough, and this hurts even more against what was supposed to be an easy team to beat.
The Play: Nolan Arenado hits a two-run home run (.176 WPA)
The fifth inning is when everything fell apart for Nova and the Yankees, as he allowed four runs to surrender a 2-1 lead. Arenado’s home run would make it 4-2, giving the Rockies a lead they wouldn’t surrender.
Top Performers
Yankees: Didi Gregorius (2-3, RBI)
Rockies: Nolan Arenado (2-4, HR, R, 3 RBI)
The Highlight: Aaron Hicks drives in Chase Headley
Not a whole lot happened in this one to celebrate, but Aaron Hicks is now hitting .304 in June and went 2-3 on Wednesday. He was also responsible for one of the Yankees’ three runs, knocking in the now-not-horrible Chase Headley.
Up Next
The Yankees look to bounceback against one of the worst teams in baseball: the Twins. CC Sabathia, who has a 0.71 ERA in his last six starts, will face Kyle Gibson. This should be a very winnable game, given Gibson has a 6.49 ERA on the season and is not a lefty.
Photo: Isaiah J. Downing / USATSI; Videos: MLBAM