The ALDS is here, and C-Mac is previewing all the keys to the upcoming series against Tampa! Can the Yankee bats stay hot against the Rays, and is Gerrit Cole the right choice to start game one? Plus, X-factors for the series, debating if Aaron Judge should be on the roster, how the lineups will look against the Rays' likely starting pitchers, and C-Mac's confidence level in the Yanks getting past the division champs and into the ALCS.
C-Mac is popping champagne as the Yankees roll through Boston in the Wild Card Series to get back to the ALDS! Chris breaks down the game two win from Yankee Stadium, from Max Fried's strong outing to the lineup continuing to hit from top to bottom, punishing Boston pitching with an equal mix of small ball and home-run power. Plus, the youngsters continue to come through, Aaron Boone pushed all the right buttons, and is this team primed to beat Tampa Bay?EPISODE HIGHLIGHTSIntro: Welcome to a Wild Card victory! The Yankees sweep the Red Sox with back-to-back nine-run performances and brilliant situational hitting.5:20: Sonny Gray's performance under the bright lights of Yankee Stadium and the electric crowd reactions. Did Chad Tracy pull him too early?14:38: Breaking down Max Fried's start and concerns over Trent Grisham's lackadaisical defense in center field.20:47: Questionable management from Chad Tracy with his decision to pull Sonny Gray and intentionally walk Ben Rice to load the bases for Cody Bellinger.23:56: Third base coach Luis Rojas's terrible two-out send that killed a potential momentum swing.26:08: Rickie Ricardo joins the show to discuss Spencer Jones' game-changing hustle and to preview the upcoming ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays.39:36: Austin Wells flips the script on his regular-season struggles with four crucial RBIs in the Wild Card series.51:03: Final thoughts on the unmatched magic of playoff baseball and why this Yankee team is built to make a deep World Series run.
C-Mac is celebrating LIVE from Yankee Stadium after Cam Schlittler once again owned the Red Sox in playoff action, moving the Bombers to within one win of the ALDS! Chris is joined by Shaun Morash to break down Schlittler's dominance, Ben Rice's big night at the plate, the homegrown youngsters coming through with the bat, and how the Yankees are set up the rest of the series.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTSIntro: Live from Yankee Stadium with initial reactions to the Yankees' 9-0 Wild Card Game 1 shutout over the Red Sox.2:37: Shaun Marash joins the show to praise Cam Schlittler's masterful curveball and his stress-free, 117-pitch performance.7:46: The game breakers - Ben Rice hits two massive home runs, including the grand slam that turned a close game into a laugher.12:50: The "Young Blood" steps up - How homegrown talent like George Lombard Jr. (three hits, two runs), Anthony Volpe, and Spencer Jones powered the lineup.15:03: Roman Anthony's wrist injury and a heavily depleted Red Sox bullpen.27:18: Rickie Ricardo drops by to declare the Red Sox on the ropes and call for a two-game sweep.38:22: Aaron Judge missing from pre-game field introductions, roster decisions, and setting up the rotation for Game 2 against Max Fried.
The Yanks will once again host their bitter rivals in the Wild Card Series this week. Will they beat Boston for a second straight season and reach the ALDS? Chris McMonigle breaks down all the keys to this series, ponders how the roster will look, and gives his thoughts on the starting pitching matchups and how Boston's rotation can impact how Aaron Boone constructs the Yankee lineup. Plus, the latest on the health of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Ryan Weathers, and more.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTSIntro: Season Wrap-Up & Silver Linings - The Yankees fell short of the division crown to the Rays, but a 93-68 record and the emergence of homegrown talents like Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler provide massive momentum.08:00: Game 1 Starter & Series Keys - Why Cam Schlittler got the nod for Game 1 over Max Fried or Gerrit Cole, and why the Yankees' elite starting rotation is the ultimate key to advancing.18:00: Defending Aaron Boone’s masterful navigation of a depleted bullpen this season and previewing his dugout clash with Boston manager Chad Tracy.24:00: A tough conversation on the captain's calf strain. We discuss why Judge pushing to play puts Boone in an unfair spot and why leaving him off the Wild Card roster is likely the painful but necessary call.33:00: Roster Construction: Projecting a 10-pitcher staff and debating the bench. Plus, why Giancarlo Stanton’s undeniable playoff magic and Trent Grisham's clutch at-bats deserve roster spots over a defensive replacement like Ryan McMahon.55:00: Game 1 Lineup Projections: Breaking down the optimal starting nine to face Red Sox lefty Payton Tolle. This includes the case for starting Jazz over Volpe at second base to capitalize on much-needed home-run power.1:21:00: The Ladder of Revenge - Overcoming the anxiety of a three-game "crapshoot" series and looking ahead to a potential dream playoff path against the Red Sox, Rays, Astros, and Dodgers.
Aaron Judge intends to play in the Wild Card Series, which is a far cry from Aaron Boone's previous comments. Is there a miscommunication between the manager and the captain? C-Mac has some strong thoughts on Judge's approach to his own injury updates, if he should try to push it and play against Boston, and whether the Yankees would be better off without Judge at less than 100 percent. Meanwhile, Clarke Schmidt is no longer a Wild Card Series option due to a biceps injury. Is the Yankee bullpen strong enough for a playoff run? Plus, debating what the series against the Rays potentially showed in terms of who deserves what role in the playoffs. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 1:25 - Bright spots from the recent series, focusing on Carlos Rodon's strong start and Lombard's impressive defensive and offensive output. 9:40 - The Aaron Judge and Aaron Boone disconnect: Analyzing Judge's frustration over Boone publicly detailing his "moderate" calf strain. 26:01 - The playoff lineup dilemma: Debating the risks of playing an injured Judge versus relying on Ben Rice or Paul Goldschmidt against left-handed pitching. 31:41 - Evaluating potential postseason roster returns for Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham as late-game pinch-hit options. 33:04 - The argument for leaving Ryan McMahon off the playoff roster despite his recent grand slam and five-RBI game. 39:57 - Wild Card rotation strategy: Weighing whether Cam Schlittler or Max Fried should take the mound for Game 1. 57:51 - Bullpen concerns mount as Clarke Schmidt hits the 15-day IL with biceps tendinitis, exposing the front office's failure to acquire relief help at the deadline. 1:09:37 - Defending Aaron Boone's managerial performance and the team's achievement of winning 92 games despite Judge missing three months of the season.