Now that the Yankees have an injection of new blood, Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo, it’s time for them to get it going.
Friday night in Miami, Rizzo made an immediate impact in his debut with a huge solo home run to help lift his new team to a 3-1 win over the Marlins.
The win for the Yankees improved their record to 54-48. They’re 7.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the American League East division.
With the trade deadline now in the rear view for baseball, it’s time the Yankees lock in and make a run.
The division is still within reach for this team despite all their struggles this season. It’s time to go after it.
And the Yankees know it. That’s why you get aggressive at the trade deadline and bring in Gallo. It’s why you double-down and then go get Rizzo.
It’s moves, like this, which send a message to Boston and Tampa Bay that we’re coming for you. We’re coming to claim what should be ours in the first place. It’s a message to Toronto that, hey, we see you coming, but it’s still our time.
No more excuses, it’s time the Yankees play up to expectations
The lineup, with the left-handed bats of Rizzo and Gallo, is much improved with better balance. Now, it’s time to produce.
Easier said than done with this team.
The Yankees, this season, have mostly underwhelmed. The optimism they can turn things around is tempered, as it should be.
Gallo and Rizzo, as talented as they are, can’t and won’t do it alone for this lineup. They’re here to help shake things up.
No one has to tell this to general manager Brian Cashman or Chairman Hal Steinbrenner. They know from this moment on, with these moves made at the trade deadline, it’s about going on the field and getting it done.
The Yankees, right now, have an opportunity to get back where they belong. Now’s the time to go on a winning streak. Now’s the time to get back to the top of the division.
Image: AP
