Video summary
Aaron Boone discussed Gerrit Cole's unusual early struggles against the San Diego Padres, attributing the difficulty to specific batters like Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. who managed to find their rhythm despite Cole's breaking ball staying up in the zone. Boone noted that while Cole did not get the ball to the corners as intended against power hitters like Jameson Taillon and Manny Machado, the pitcher maintained control of his motions and managed the game effectively once he settled into the middle innings. This resilience allowed the team to secure a comeback opportunity, even though the start was undeniably tough for the Yankees.
The conversation then shifted to the bullpen strategy, specifically focusing on the performance of left-handed relievers Spencer Morris and Clay Holmes against opposing lefties. Boone highlighted that Morris has been instrumental in slowing down the game and making solid adjustments, particularly during a difficult at-bat against a tough left-handed hitter. He acknowledged that while there was consideration for bringing in Jose Ramirez to replace Domingo German, he ultimately decided against it because he did not want to face a specific matchup with Miller going, noting that the opposing team had previously used their relievers successfully when they were hot.
Boone also addressed the common question regarding scoreboard watching, clarifying that he monitors the standings every single day of the year without exception. He emphasized that his daily routine involves looking at the board regardless of the situation, indicating a consistent approach to managing pressure and expectations throughout the season. This dedication to tracking performance metrics reflects his commitment to understanding the team's standing and making informed decisions based on the current reality of their position in the league.
Finally, Boone reflected on the overall strength of the Yankees' bullpen, describing Morris and Miller as part of a dynamic one-two punch among the best relievers in the league. He praised their ability to handle high-leverage situations and noted that they are right up there with other top-tier closers when it comes to finishing games. Despite the challenges faced in this particular series against San Diego, Boone expressed confidence in his pitching staff's depth and their continued ability to make adjustments and execute under pressure as the season progresses.
Read the full video transcript
Aaron really an uncharacteristic start
for Gerrit Cole in this one. Why do you
think he struggled early to get going?
>> Yeah, probably a couple missed spots.
Tatis put a long at bat on him,
eventually got the hang and breaking
ball there
that stayed up enough and put a good
swing on it. Cronenworth, you know, you
don't expect to get beat to the to that
side of the field, you know, with slug.
Probably didn't get the ball to the
corner quite how he wanted to, but
you know, good swing and then Manny
again, he probably I think wanted to get
it away. Kind of more middle down, put a
pretty good swing on it. Thought he did
a really good job of just controlling
the motions, managing the game, and and
ends up giving us seven strong, but
you know, obviously a tough start for us
there.
>> How was he able to settle in there in
those middle innings?
>> Yeah, you know,
he just kept executing, you know, you
didn't see any flinch or anything.
You know, made some subtle adjustments,
I think. Um
you know, they they put they they put
some good at bats and had some hard
contact throughout the day against them,
but I thought he managed the game really
well and and gave us a chance to make a
comeback.
>> Aaron, what did Spencer show you this
weekend, especially that left on left at
bat?
>> Yeah, I mean, Morehon is tough as it
gets, you know, it's why I ran most of
our righties up there. Um
Yeah, I mean, he's just doing a really
good job of slowing the game down.
Um
um
and and another really good at bat there
against that's as about as tough a left
on left as you're going to see. So,
thought he did a
a really nice job, continues to do that.
Continues to make solid adjustments.
>> How much do you scoreboard watching at
this point? Seems
>> I scoreboard watch every single day of
the year. It's right out there, I watch
it every day. So,
probably no more, no less, but I watch
it every day.
>> Was there any consideration of bringing
in Ramos for Dominguez?
>> Yes.
>> And why didn't you?
>> Um with Miller going, I didn't like that
match up necessarily. I don't
necessarily think they would have
brought him in though. They obviously
they did a couple innings the other day.
They had him going they had him hot. So
I was kind of taking my shot there. Um
but I did consider it yes.
>> Do you think Morohón and Miller are the
toughest lefty righty at the end of the
game in the league now?
>> They're right up there. I mean obviously
look you see a ton of great relievers.
You know they're you know they're right
up there with a with pretty dynamic
one-two punch yeah.