Aaron Boone cautions against reading too much into Yankees-Jays series
Giancarlo Stanton of the Yankees follows through on a third-inning run-scoring single against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Before the Yankees took on the Red Sox on Sunday night, Aaron Boone mused that this game usually makes fools of those who try to predict its every shift and eventuality.
He was talking about his roster — how it might look 10 days from now or when the number of players goes from 28 to 26 in May — but it’s just as true when it comes to the opponent that will greet the Yankees on Monday evening. The AL East probably is MLB's strongest division, with four teams that could make a run at the top spot, and for many, the Blue Jays are the favorites to finish first. So while the next four games certainly could be an intriguing preview of two powerhouses set to duel for supremacy, Boone cautioned against reading too much into anything, especially in the first week of an irregular season.
“We want to be as consistent as we can be and, of course, hopefully that means a great start,” he said. “But we’re not going to be affected one way or the other. We’re coming expecting to do special things and do great things, but we’re not going to be swayed by a great win or a tough loss.”
Granted, it’s easier to say that because the Yankees have clicked early. Their bullpen — the hallmark of recent good Yankees teams — was worked heavily the first two games and performed admirably, allowing one earned run in 13 innings. After barely pitching for three years, Luis Severino had an encouraging, if abbreviated, start on Saturday and came out of it no worse for wear, Boone said. He’s on track to make his next start. Going into Sunday, Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton already had two homers each.
“Of course, you want it to be that you get off to a great start, because I think there’s something about that that can be settling as a team and for individuals — when individuals get off [to a good] start, you get into the flow of the season a little easier without guys pressing and doing more than they need to,” Boone said. “But we’ve been in every situation. We’ve gotten off to slow starts and still went on to win 100 games. Last year, of course, we were up against it the final 2 ½ months and really caught fire.”
Still, with the talent the Blue Jays possess, it’s hard not to take an early series and turn it into some sort of litmus test. The Jays — one of four AL East teams that won at least 91 games last season — lost significant personnel in the offseason, including Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray, along with Marcus Semien and his 45 home runs, but they reloaded with alacrity. They have Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and George Springer and have added Kevin Gausman and Matt Chapman. And did we mention that on Sunday, Guerrero hit a 467-foot homer with an exit velocity of 117.9 mph?
“They can bang,” Boone said. “They can really bang, no question about it. And [they have] a really formidable rotation. It’s a really good club. We saw that last year and the year before, for that matter. It’s a really strong, young core nucleus of players and they’re going to be a load to play all season long, and look forward to that challenge.”
Jameson Taillon will take on Toronto's Alek Manoah on Monday. Taillon is coming off ankle surgery, but Boone is optimistic that he made a full recovery. He had an 11-start run in which he went 7-0 with a 2.48 ERA last season, and if he is healthy, he’s a key middle-rotation element.
“He came in in a good place, ready to go,” Boone said. “There was no holding him back at all. We made sure we were smart with him [when it came to pitchers' fielding practice] and things like that, but it’s gone really smooth, and excited for him to get going tomorrow.”
Laura Albanese is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. She's been covering MLB since 2014 after starting at Newsday as an intern seven years earlier.
More Yankees headlines
