The Yankees claimed their fourth series this week in a three-game series with the Cleveland Guardians. They are one of just three teams who remain unbeaten in a series this year along with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Rays. This was the first meeting between the Yankees and Guardians since the Yankees eliminated them in the 2022 ALDS.
The Yankees redeemed themselves in Games 2 and 3 after a rough outing and a loss in Game 1 of the series. This series revalidated several things: Gerrit Cole is dialed in, Franchy Cordero was made for the pinstripes, you can pencil Gleyber Torres in as your 2023 AL All-Star second basemen, you can pencil Oswaldo Cabrera in as your 2023 AL All-Star…anything, when the bats are hot, the bats are HOT, and this squad is vibing.
Stone Cole’d
Gerritt Cole has shown his batters no mercy this year. Cole had another solid outing in Game 2, his third start of the season. Despite giving up a few hits and runs in the first inning, Cole settled in and went on to give the Yankees seven full innings (six scoreless). Cole has been absolutely dominant in his first three starts. He’s bolstering a record of 3-0 with 19.1 innings pitched, 22 strikeouts, just 3 earned runs, and a .93 WHIP.
Who would like to face the Bombers with a side of Franch?
The Yankees picked up veteran OF Franchy Cordero on March 29 after the Orioles released him on March 27. While fans were questioning this move unaccompanied by an offloading of Aaron Hicks, it has paid off big time in the short-term. The “Franchyse” just may be giving Aaron Judge a little AL single-season homerun record competition. In his first seven games with the Yanks, he has blasted four homeruns and seven hits, and has batted in 11 runs. If your jersey has a name on the back, I don’t think you want a side of the Franch.
“Sea” you at the ASG
This year’s All-Star game will take place in Seattle and I would not be surprised to see Gleyber Torres or Oswaldo Cabrera suited up on the AL squad. Gleyber Torres is turning heads this year with his ability to put the ball in play and get on base. Coming out of this series, he has the third best on-base percentage at .522 in 12 games played just under Matt Chapman (12 games played, .538) and Luis Arraez (13 games played, .558).
Oswaldo Cabrera has now played at four different fielding positions (LF, RF, SS, and 2B) and has a perfect fielding percentage. He has established himself as an invaluable piece of this team. He has a great attitude and he’s willing to play wherever the team needs him and do it effectively. In this series, his bat came alive with a three hits and two RBI’s. He is still the Wizard of Os.
Swish is that you?
It appears the Yankees have found themselves a new Nick Swisher, aka “the life of the clubhouse party”. As for who is bringing these vibes, I’m not sure, but this clubhouse is vibing. The Bombers seem to be in high spirits. The season is early, but they’ve already overcome so much adversity. Injuries tried to get them down before the season started, but it seems they have their sights set on the long run this year. We can only imagine how dominant they will be when they get starters Carlos Rodon and Luis Severino back in the rotation and Harrison Bader back in the outfield mix. Until then, all they can do is keep taking it one series at a time, which seems to be a proven-method so far.
On-Deck
The Yankees head into their first four-game series of the year with the Minnesota Twins on Thursday with a record of 8-4, followed by a day off on Monday, then two consecutive series’ with the Los Angeles Angels and Toronto Blue Jays at home respectively.
Series 4 Box Scores
Game 1: Yankees 2, Guardians 3
Game 2: Yankees 11, Guardians 2
Game 3: Yankees 5, Guardians 3
Previous Series Recaps
Yankees shut out Giants in two of three games, take first series
Yanks knock off 2022 NL Champion Philadelphia Phillies in second series of the season
The Great Wall of Baltimore Can’t Contain the Bombers
- Yankees off to the hottest start since 2003, sweep Astros 4-0 in season opener - April 1, 2024
- Yankees' full-squad Spring Training officially underway - February 20, 2024
- Why the Yankees’ rotation may not be complete just yet - February 17, 2024
