Who Is Pumped Up?

Is there anyone who didn't get out of their seat or at least have that awesome feeling of euphoria after Stanton squared up the first pitch he saw in the 8th inning???  Those types of swings/moments make all the frustration worth it; and unfortunately, this Yankee team has been full of those moments as well (more on some of that in a bit).  

Top of the 8th inning down 2-1, Odor leading off.  First, I am not sure why he started the game.  I know DJ must have an issue with his groin, but why would Odor play over Wade when you can have much better defense with Wade at SS and Urshela at 3rd?  Should Odor hit better than Wade, yes, but the defense of Urshela at 3rd compared to Odor is a large difference in my opinion.  It looked like my opinion was wrong when Odor hit a long shot to the wall but it was caught (Judge did the same to them "robbing" HR's).  But, in the 8th inning, why have a guy with a .289 OBP lead off the inning, especially when he is a defensive liability?  Why not place Voit up there who is more likely to hit a HR or get on base?  Then if he did get on you put Wade in for defense (which they did anyway).  So Odor strikes out and Urshela gets out and we have 2 outs nobody on down 2-1 in a game we have simply been swinging the bats terribly.  Boston's pitcher, Pivetta, has been lit up recently and while his stuff was solid yesterday, he missed spots all day long and the Yankees missed over a dozen centered pitches and I thought just swing terribly.  Anyway, Gardner worked a walk after being down 1-2 in the count.  On a 1-1 count Gardner stole 2nd on a slider (outside) and then after swinging through a very hittable slider, Judge took two sliders away for another walk.  Here is where the 3 batter rule came into play as well as the advantage of having capable lefties mixed in between the righties.  I don't love the 3 batter rule, but it is easier to watch and it does reward lineups with more diversity.  Regardless, Boston hoped the lefty Hernandez would take care of Rizzo and then they would be setup for the 9th.  But, Hernandez threw 2 balls and then Rizzo might have helped him on a borderline pitch and then threw another ball before hitting Rizzo.  This loaded the bases for Stanton.  Good job by the guy in front to battle; this setup the lefty against Stanton matchup. 

Courtesy of MLB.com

https://www.mlb.com/news/giancarlo-stanton-hits-go-ahead-grand-slam-to-beat-red-sox

Other notes on this game:

• Cortes was not as sharp, but once again did a good job with the exception of not going deep at all.  Getting some of our guys pitchers back is a big deal.  King was hit pretty hard, but the ball went at our guys.  
• Severino has been a huge plus for us, pitching 2 scoreless/hitless innings.  He isn't throwing 98/99 consistently, but he was consistently 96 and did hit 98 once.  His other stuff was good including a 90MPH change that had very good down and side movement.  He also pitches 2 scoreless innings 4 days previously.  He could be a key person for us as I would have as much confidence in him as anyone on our roster now.  
• Green has been excellent with one HUGE issue and that is he has allowed an absurd 14 HR's in 79 innings.  Batting avg against is only .191 and his walks are very low so who WHIP is 0.87, but his OPS against is .620.  (.717 in the 2nd half).  Green is equal against both sides.
• The Alka Seltzer closer is similar to Green but with more wildness and is very tough on lefties (.496 OPS and .749 against righties).  He has been better of late, but he takes years off our lives...the anti Mariano Rivera.
• We need a healthy Louisiga back!

I don't want to go into some of my negative rants (I have watched every game - even if fast), but I want to quickly bring up two things.

1. I am done with Sanchez behind the plate.  I am tired of so many pitches turned into wild pitches, the normal passed balls that lead the league and the matador tag at home plate a few weeks ago was my final straw.  That should never happen to anyone with even the slightest knowledge of the position.  When a ball gets there that early you take one step toward 3rd base to ensure that NEVER happens.  I could fill this page on Sanchez but I want to get to :
2. The issue I brought up in the offseason as to why I was perhaps the only person not in love with signing DJ for so much money IS what has played out.  DJ would not keep his career years going and we were hoping Torres could play SS, which I didn't believe he could.  Now we have our great defensive 3rd baseman playing SS, DJ at 3rd and Torres in his more comfortable 2nd base spot, but at best he is equal to DJ there.  We are weaker at 3rd base and Urshela is not a great defensive SS even if he can make the plays.  When we say Velasquez play SS, it was like night and day the quickness he had.  His arm was not a rocket but he is the best defensive SS we have had since before Jeter (not going back further than that).  He should be on our (hopeful) postseason roster and can be a pinch runner as well.

I am still pumped up, but we still have work to do and this team can lose every game just as easily as win every game!!!  Let's sweep tonight!