Rachel: Aaron Judge is back. But he’s hitless in his first three at-bats since returning from a fractured rib that sidelined him for over three months. Is this just rust, or is the pitching too sharp? We’re breaking down tonight’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies, who are desperate to end their own slide.
Dave: It’s a huge moment for New York. They clinched their thirty-fourth straight winning season yesterday with a five-three win, but the story was Cam Schlittler striking out ten in seven innings. Tonight, we look at how the lineup adjusts when Judge isn’t yet in rhythm, and if the bullpen can hold the line.
Rachel: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Rachel, and this is your daily Yankees preview. Joining me is Dave, our lead analyst. Dave, you were right about Cole getting the win yesterday, but Judge going zero-for-three was a surprise. What’s the read on tonight?
Dave: I expected some hesitation. You don’t come back from a fractured rib after three months and immediately be dominant. The key tonight is managing his workload. He was pulled in the sixth inning yesterday. If he stays healthy, the rest will come. But for now, the team needs others to step up.
Rachel: So, no reliance on Judge for big hits tonight? And what about the injuries? We know Jazz Chisholm Jr. is day-to-day, and Clarke Schmidt is still on the sixty-day IL. How does that impact the roster depth for this Rockies series?
Dave: It forces usage of guys like Ali Sanchez behind the plate and potentially Paul Goldschmidt or Luis Garcia Jr. at first base depending on matchups. The injury list is long—Trent Grisham, Willi Castro, Ryan Weathers, Fernando Cruz, Kyle Freeland, Jose Quintana, Kris Bryant, McCade Brown—all missing. It’s a test of depth.
Rachel: That is a lot of bodies out. Okay, so here is what we are covering today: First, the pitching matchup and why Cam Schlittler’s performance matters for morale. Second, who steps up offensively with Judge still finding his swing? And third, the bullpen management strategy as we head toward October. Let’s dive into Segment One.
Rachel: Alright, Segment One: The Pitching Probables and the Series Setup. Yesterday, Cam Schlittler was electric. Ten strikeouts, seven innings, only three runs allowed. The Rockies are coming off a four-game road slide and sit fifth in the NL West at fifty-five and eighty-eight. Do you think they have any momentum heading into Yankee Stadium?
Dave: Zero momentum. They are struggling on the road. Their offense has been inconsistent, and facing a Yankees team that just clinched a winning season means they need to bring their best game immediately. However, Colorado has home-field advantage issues away from Coors Field. Their pitching staff isn’t great, which helps New York.
Rachel: Right, and the Yankees are second in the AL East at eighty-two and sixty-two. They are playing for positioning, not just pride. Who do you see starting tonight? Is it Gerrit Cole again, or do they turn to Max Fried or Carlos Rodon to manage the rotation?
Dave: Given the schedule, it’s likely a starter from the middle of the rotation. Cole threw well enough to get the win yesterday, but he might need a day of rest. If they go with Luis Gil or Will Warren, it’s a gamble. But looking at the roster, Paul Blackburn is also available. The Yankees need to protect their arms for the playoffs.
Rachel: Paul Blackburn? I didn’t even see him listed as a probable earlier. That’s a move I hadn’t considered. So if they use a reliever or a spot starter, how does that change the game plan against Colorado? The Rockies play a high-scoring game usually, but not always on the road.
Dave: Exactly. If they use a reliever like David Bednar or Michael Fulmer early, it’s because they expect to blow them out or protect a narrow lead. Bednar has been solid in relief. The key is keeping the game low-scoring until the offense wakes up. And with Judge still rusty, you don’t want to give Colorado easy innings.
Rachel: So, the strategy is defense-first, pitch count management, and hoping the bullpen holds. It’s a different vibe than when Judge is swinging the bat like a freight train. But that’s baseball in September. Every run counts. Before we move to the offense, let’s take a quick breath.
Dave: Stick with us. We’re talking about who is hitting, who is injured, and what it means for the playoff push. This is crucial stuff for the fanbase.
Rachel: We’ll be right back after this message from our listeners.
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Dave: Thanks for that. Let’s jump into Segment Two: Key Hitters and Bullpen Questions. With Judge hitting zero-for-three yesterday, who is carrying the load? Spencer Jones and Ben Rice were mentioned in previous previews. Are they still the primary options?
Rachel: Yes, absolutely. Remember, Dave predicted a three-one win with Spencer Jones contributing another hit last time, and I had Ben Rice driving in a run. Yesterday, the offense did score five runs, so someone stepped up. But without Judge’s power threat, the pressure is on the middle of the order.
Dave: Spencer Jones has been a bright spot. His plate discipline is improving. When he makes contact, he drives the ball. Ben Rice is tough inside. But we also have Cody Bellinger and Heliot Ramos in the outfield. Bellinger has experience against left-handed pitching, which Colorado often uses.
Rachel: Cody Bellinger is a veteran presence. He knows how to handle pressure. But what about the infield? With Jazz Chisholm Jr. day-to-day, who plays second base? And how does that affect the defensive alignment against Colorado’s speedsters?
Dave: If Chisholm sits, it’s likely Ali Sanchez moving around or Jose Caballero stepping in. Caballero is versatile. Defensively, the Yankees need to be sharp. Colorado doesn’t have much power, but they can bunt and steal bases. You can’t afford errors. A single error turns into two runs against them sometimes.
Rachel: Right, defense wins championships. And speaking of the bullpen, we have David Bednar, Paul Blackburn, Michael Fulmer, Brent Headrick, Tim Hill, John Schreiber, and Ryan Yarbrough available. That’s a lot of arms. Which ones are you worried about overuse?
Dave: Bednar is the closer. You don’t touch him unless necessary. Fulmer is reliable in the eighth. But guys like Headrick and Hill are swingmen. If the game goes to extra innings, you need fresh legs. The risk is fatigue. September is a marathon. You can’t burn everyone out in August.
Rachel: Fair point. So, managing the bullpen is just as important as the starting pitcher. And with injuries like Clarke Schmidt on the sixty-day IL and Trent Grisham on the ten-day IL, the margin for error is tiny. Every game feels like a must-win now.
Dave: It is. The standings are tight. Being second in the AL East is good, but the Wild Card race is fierce. Every loss hurts. The Yankees can’t afford to slip. They need to win these series against teams like Colorado to secure home-field advantage.
Rachel: Home-field advantage is huge. It means playing in front of the home crowd in the early rounds. So, avoiding losses is critical. Let’s move to Segment Three: Keys to the Series and a Bold Prediction.
Rachel: Okay, Dave, what are the keys to winning this series? We’ve talked about pitching, defense, and bullpen management. What else? And remember, Aaron Judge is back, but he’s still finding his form. How does that factor in?
Dave: The first key is patience. Don’t force Judge into big spots yet. Let him work through counts. The second key is exploiting Colorado’s weak pitching. They have Kyle Freeland on the IL, but their current starters aren’t elite. Take walks. Draw fouls. Make them pitch to you.
Rachel: Patience and discipline. I like that. It’s about control. And the bold prediction? I’m going to say the Yankees sweep this series. But specifically, I think Ben Rice hits a home run tonight. He’s due for a big hit.
Dave: I’ll disagree slightly. I think the Yankees win two of three. Colorado is dangerous at home, but they are terrible on the road. My bold prediction: Cam Schlittler starts tonight and throws a complete game shutout. Or at least eight strong innings. He’s got the stuff to dominate them.
Rachel: A complete game by Schlittler? That would be historic for him this year. I love it. Eight strong innings seems more realistic, but a shutout would send a message to the rest of the league. Let’s hope for it.
Dave: It would. It would show that the Yankees have depth beyond just their stars. Even without Judge at full strength, they can win. That’s the mentality of a championship team.
Rachel: Championship mentality. I love that phrase. Alright, fans, that brings us to the end of our preview. We’ve covered the pitching, the injuries, the key hitters, and my bold prediction for Ben Rice. Dave, any final thoughts before we sign off?
Dave: Just stay positive. The Yankees are built for October. Trust the process, trust the depth, and enjoy the game. Go Yankees.
Rachel: Thank you, Dave. And thank you, fans, for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast platform. Share it with a fellow Yankees fan. Help us grow the network.
Dave: We appreciate every single one of you. Keep the faith. See you tomorrow.
Rachel: Go Yankees!