New York Bounces Back While San Diego Suffers Another Setback
While one team bounced back in the Bronx in the opening game of the series that being New York San Diego meanwhile suffered yet another setback after losing the finale to Toronto the day before.
On Monday New York won their third game of the season started by Chad Green, defeating the Padres, 5-2, at Yankee Stadium.
What’s so special about those wins in Green’s starts? They’ve come with a plan that’s new for the Yankees: using Green as an opener by having him pitch two innings or fewer to start the game off, then getting to a more stretched-out reliever for the brunt of the frames before delving into the rest of the bullpen. The Yankees have tried this in 2019 with in-season injuries to James Paxton and CC Sabathia, and Luis Severino having not pitched for the team this year. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-remain-unbeaten-with-chad-green-opener
“It’s just going out there and making pitches,” Green said. “It’s not any different from pitching in the sixth, besides that you’re the first one out there.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-remain-unbeaten-with-chad-green-opener
The recipe has varied slightly in each outing, but the result has been the same: a Yankees win. On Monday, Green started the team off with a scoreless inning -- the first time he has had a shutout start in this new format. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-remain-unbeaten-with-chad-green-opener
“[The bullpen arms] were great all day. It started with Greeny,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “That’s overpowering, dominating Greeny when he’s at his best right there. Three hitters, and some good hitters in there, obviously. He set the tone.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-remain-unbeaten-with-chad-green-opener
Even with his quick inning, needing just 14 pitches to strike out Greg Garcia, Franmil Reyes and Manny Machado, the Yankees didn’t send Green back out for a second frane. Boone said that the plan was a one-inning outing given Green’s workload lately. He also started Saturday's game in Kansas City. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-remain-unbeaten-with-chad-green-opener
Green was asked after the game if he has been preparing for these opener starts any differently, a notion that he dispelled. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-remain-unbeaten-with-chad-green-opener
“I just try to treat it like a normal outing,” Green said. “Try not to do anything too crazy, not try to spend too much time getting ready. Just kind of get to the bullpen, do what I’m going to do and go out there.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-remain-unbeaten-with-chad-green-opener
Green yielded to David Hale, who pitched four frames of two-run ball. Hale allowed two runs in the second, his first inning of work, before settling down. After the game, Hale said he adjusted when he realized his pace was off in that initial inning. His improved pace allowed him to go deeper into the game. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-remain-unbeaten-with-chad-green-opener
“I knew my role was to eat as many innings as I could and give the bullpen a break,” Hale said.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-remain-unbeaten-with-chad-green-opener
Added Boone: “We needed him today, we absolutely needed him to get through the middle innings, and he did. He settled in and got real pitch-efficient, and then we’re able to roll the guys out and they did their thing.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-remain-unbeaten-with-chad-green-opener
Asked after the game if it felt like he hadn’t gotten a win in a while, Hale’s face lit up.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-remain-unbeaten-with-chad-green-opener
“I didn’t even think about that,” Hale said. When told the date of his last win, he said, “Oh wow. That’s pretty cool, yeah. It’s felt like a while.” according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-remain-unbeaten-with-chad-green-opener
With Paxton potentially coming off the injured list on Wednesday and Sabathia in a position to return if healthy on Sunday, the Yankees may not need to use the strategy again in the near future. But at least for the time being, it has worked.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-remain-unbeaten-with-chad-green-opener
As for San Diego,
Matt Strahm didn't have his best stuff. He didn't have his pinpoint command. Resolute as ever, the Padres' left-hander still strolled into the Bronx on Monday afternoon and struck out 10 Yankees in front of a packed house. “according to https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/matt-strahm-sets-career-high-with-10-strikeouts
If it wasn’t already, it’s official now: Strahm is in the rotation to stay. “according to https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/matt-strahm-sets-career-high-with-10-strikeouts
“That guy’s a starting pitcher,” catcher Austin Hedges said. “He won’t go back to the bullpen ever. He's too good.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/matt-strahm-sets-career-high-with-10-strikeouts
Josh Naylor and Hedges hit RBI doubles to give San Diego a lead in the second inning, but Clint Frazier and Brett Gardner went deep in the bottom of the frame, with Gardner’s two-run blast proving decisive.”according to https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/matt-strahm-sets-career-high-with-10-strikeouts
“Two pitches I'd like back,” Strahm said.
Ultimately, Strahm’s shaky second inning was too much for the Padres to overcome. But he bounced back emphatically. Strahm would retire all nine Yankees in his second trip through the order, and seven of his last eight outs came via the strikeout.”according to https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/matt-strahm-sets-career-high-with-10-strikeouts
Strahm, who allowed three runs on four hits over six innings, adjusted to his early struggles by relying on his breaking pitches -- which confounded overeager Yankees hitters. In short: Strahm showed the kind of mettle that a good starting pitcher needs to show.”according to https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/matt-strahm-sets-career-high-with-10-strikeouts
“He didn't come out like he has, where he's dotting corners from the get-go,” Padres manager Andy Green said. “Still, to right yourself in the right direction, to have four scoreless innings and give your team a chance to win the game, you can't ask anything more.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/matt-strahm-sets-career-high-with-10-strikeouts
After spending the 2018 season in the bullpen, Strahm has proven himself more than capable of handling a starter’s workload. He struggled in his season debut, but in nine starts since then, his ERA is 2.53. “according to https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/matt-strahm-sets-career-high-with-10-strikeouts
Strahm has also reinvented himself entirely. Last season, he was a high-octane relief weapon, relying heavily on his fastball/slider mix. This year, he has used his curveball and changeup to great success, and he has backed off his fastball significantly.”according to https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/matt-strahm-sets-career-high-with-10-strikeouts
“It's two different mentalities of pitching," Strahm said earlier this month. "I've got to be able to put that third and fourth pitch in your head. I take pride in not being able to let anyone, whether he's a left-handed hitter or a right-handed hitter, eliminate a pitch that I have.”
A season ago, Strahm’s fastball averaged 93.4 mph, and he used it for 58 percent of his pitches. This year, it’s 2.5 mph slower -- a product, Strahm says, of pitching for the long haul with a starter’s mindset. He’s using it only 41 percent of the time.
“He's a completely different pitcher,” Hedges said. “He had such a good fastball out of the bullpen. Now, he's able to mix and match so much more. When you have four plus pitches, he has so many options.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/matt-strahm-sets-career-high-with-10-strikeouts
That mix was enough to subdue the Yankees, whose bats wouldn’t come alive again until the eighth inning. Right-hander Craig Stammen surrendered a solo homer to Gary Sanchez over the short porch. Then, the Padres’ shoddy outfield defense coughed up another run.”according to https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/matt-strahm-sets-career-high-with-10-strikeouts
Center fielder Wil Myers made an ill-fated dive for a Gleyber Torres line drive, which rolled to the wall for a double. Then Cameron Maybin singled Torres home, when the ball kicked away from Franmil Reyes in right field. All of Strahm’s efforts to keep the Padres in the game had come undone in the span of three batters. “according to https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/matt-strahm-sets-career-high-with-10-strikeouts
Of course, one tough loss to the first-place Yankees doesn’t change the long-term trajectory for Strahm. He arrived at the 2017 Trade Deadline as something of a mystery, weeks removed from major surgery on his left knee. The Padres weren’t sure of it then, but they are now: He’s a starter. Potentially a very valuable one, with their rotation of the future still in flux. “according to https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/matt-strahm-sets-career-high-with-10-strikeouts
New York and San Diego will return to the diamond on Tuesday night where New York will look to win the series while San Diego meanwhile will look to even the series.