First pitch: 3 things I heard this week from the New York Yankees and Houston Astros
By Kevin Henry
DENVER — The New York Yankees and Houston Astros combined to make a post-All-Star break homestand for the Colorado Rockies. While the two teams were in the Mile High City, these are some of the things I heard.
Two of the heavyweights in the American League, the New York Yankees and Houston Astros could neither take a series from the National League West bottom-dwelling Colorado Rockies, with Colorado taking two of three games from New York and splitting the two-game set with the Astros.
However, in both the wins and losses, there were some telling comments about what is to come for the Astros and Yankees.
New York Yankees: Giancarlo Stanton still rounding into form
After missing half of April and all of May with a hamstring injury, there’s no question that Giancarlo Stanton is still trying to find his form at the plate after his injury. He looked solid against the Rockies, continuing his love of hitting at Coors Field with a pair of home runs during a 3-for-11 performance during the series.
However, even with the fireworks in Denver, Stanton has sputtered since returning to the lineup, slashing .170/.273/.396 over his last 106 at-bats. Still, Stanton believes there are signs in there that give some hope.
“I’m definitely trending,” Stanton said. “You have to prove that you’re all the way going, and that takes weeks on end of producing. There’s not much talking for that. You have to go prove it.”
The Yankees and Stanton are both hoping that happens soon as time for making an impact on the 2023 season could be running out if New York can’t figure out its collective problems at the plate.