Aaron Boone’s latest gameplan shows he has no idea how to manage

Aaron Boone is proving he will do whatever it takes to stand in the way of the New York Yankees succeeding in the postseason.

The New York Yankees‘ painful Game 3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians that puts their backs against the wall can be attributed almost entirely to Aaron Boone, and it has fans calling for his job. Sadly, he doesn’t seem to understand that his mismanagement of the team’s pitching strategy is what lost them the game.

The Yankees entered the bottom of the ninth inning with a two-run lead. Instead of going to the bullpen, Boone opted to let Wandy Peralta continue after a perfect eighth inning. Peralta got the first out and then let two men get on base.

Flying too close to the sun with Peralta was mistake No. 1. Then, with an opportunity to go for his closer in Clay Holmes, he decided to let him rest and instead brought in Clarke Schmidt to get the final two outs.

Get them he would not. The Guardians loaded the bases and ended up winning the game on a walk-off hit.

Ouch. Now, the Guardians need one more win to take the series.

Does Boone understand what he did? Nope.

Aaron Boone is the problem, and his latest strategy explanation proves it

In regards to that pitching strategy, Boone said he didn’t want to use Holmes on back-to-back days since he had pitched Friday, but he would be willing to use him in Games 4 and 5:

Look, it’s easy for me to be critical of Boone after I’ve seen the results. I understand as a manager he has to be thinking about the long game and managing resources and arms beyond just two outs. And we have the benefit of knowing about the implosion when making our critiques.

But it’s absolutely hilarious to me that Boone says he’s OK using Holmes in Games 4 and 5 considering there is zero guarantee there will be a Game 5. Boone might be an OK regular-season manager (and I’d argue that, as well), but you have to know that in the postseason, pretty much all that matters is the here and now.

It’s Yankee elitism at its finest to assume a Game 5 is a given. For that, do the Yankees even deserve to get the opportunity?

Brilliant strategy, Boone. Should have used it in Game 3.