NEW YORK — Everyone wants to talk about the torpedo bats, but the New York Yankees’ season-opening sweep of the undermanned Milwaukee Brewers was about a lot more than just bulbous lumber.
Here are a few takeaways from the Bombers’ 3-0 start to 2025.
Aaron Judge off to hot start
Judge’s outrageous full-year numbers from 2024 — 58 homers, 1.159 OPS, 10.8 bWAR, arguably the best season ever by a right-handed hitter — make it easy to forget that he underwhelmed for most of March and April last year. Entering play on April 27, 27 games into the season, Judge had a .178 batting average, a .674 OPS and just four home runs in 123 plate appearances. It got so bad that during a four-strikeout game against Tampa Bay on April 20, the Yankees captain earned a shower of boos from the home crowd.
Advertisement
Eventually, of course, Judge caught fire and made history. From April 27 to the end of the year, he slashed a preposterous .354/.488/.777, good for a 1.265 OPS and another MVP award.
This season, Judge isn’t waiting around to get hot. Through three games, he has already belted four home runs, a mark tied for the league lead with Arizona’s Eugenio Suárez.
“I wanted to have a better March and April than I did last season,” Judge told reporters after Sunday’s game. During that 12-3 win, the mammoth outfielder went 1-for-1 with three bases on balls, marking the 33rd time in his accomplished career that he walked thrice.
Advertisement
As Judge goes, so do these Yankees. The entire operation is pointless if he’s not crushing baseballs and instilling fear into opposing pitchers. On that front, so far, so good.
Third-base situation gains clarity
Entering this Yankees season, the hot corner looked at best like an unsettled unknown and at worst like a glaring weakness. Over the winter, GM Brian Cashman did not acquire a big-ticket option for third base, opting to let oft-injured vet DJ LeMahieu, switch-hitting utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera and fallen top prospect Oswald Peraza battle it out. The complexion of that group changed during spring training, with another LeMahieu injury and the strong play of 31-year-old journeyman Pablo Reyes.
Entering Opening Day, it appeared that Cabrera would be the preferred option against righties (his career OPS against RHP is nearly 100 points better than his mark against LHP), while Reyes and Peraza would split time against lefty starters.
Advertisement
Instead, through just three games, a path forward is developing. That’s because Reyes, who started Saturday’s game at the hot corner, had a shocking defensive display that included two ugly errors and another misplay on a screamer ruled a double. He was removed late for Peraza, who went deep late in the blowout. It’s not doomsday for Reyes, who impressed in camp, but his woeful debut showing should provide Peraza a window to secure more playing time in the near future.
Jasson Domínguez’s adventures on defense
Another major question entering the season was whether Domínguez, a highly touted center-field prospect, could adjust to his new home in left. The stocky Dominican was a horror show in left field down the stretch in 2024, but he has the athleticism to make it work out there. Center field, given the additional space that must be covered, is generally considered a more difficult assignment than the corner spots. But the angles left Domínguez perplexed last year, and his comfort at the position was a point of emphasis during spring training.
Advertisement
While it’s far too early to come to any significant conclusions, Domínguez was removed for the defensively superior Trent Grisham late in both Thursday’s and Sunday’s games. Domínguez started at DH on Saturday, also in deference to Grisham, who manned center field, pushing Cody Bellinger to left.
It’s also worth noting that Domínguez was notably tentative toward a hard-hit liner from Milwaukee’s Jackson Chourio on Saturday. The play, according to Statcast, had a 95% catch probability.
Carlos Rodón’s new sinker
The Yankees southpaw looked crisp in his first Opening Day start in pinstripes, allowing just one run and tallying seven strikeouts across 5 1/3 innings. Rodón’s 2024 was much better than his disastrous debut year in New York, but it still came in below his standards. Adding a sinker to his arsenal could help Rodón change the tide.
Advertisement
For much of his career, Rodón was effectively a two-pitch pitcher, using a high-carry fastball and a biting slider to create whiffs. Last year, he worked in a changeup, a curveball and the occasional cutter, a pitch that garnered hype in the early going but proved relatively ineffective. Now he and the Yankees are hoping that the sinker, which he threw 12% of the time on Thursday, will be a different story. The new offering generates a ton of drop for a pitch in its velocity range. Keep an eye on it.
What about the leadoff spot?
Lineup construction is much more fun to argue about than it is meaningful. And so because the Yankees lack an obvious leadoff guy, that has been a big topic of conversation so far this year. Skipper Aaron Boone went with left-handed catcher Austin Wells up top on Opening Day against Brewers righty Freddy Peralta. That made Wells the first backstop ever to lead off for the Yanks. He went yard on the third pitch he saw.
Righty bat Paul Goldschmidt hit first on Saturday and Sunday, in part because Boone liked the matchups against southpaw Nestor Cortes and reverse-split righty Aaron Civale. The 37-year-old first baseman went 5-for-8 across the two games. Time will tell if a true leadoff guy emerges or if Boone continues to mix and match.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Osm zápasů, tři trenéři. Vaclík o veletoči v novém klubu: Byl to extrém
Porto (od našeho zpravodaje) - Osmibodová ztráta na barážové místo je téměř pryč, Boavista stále může pomýšlet na udržení mezi elitou. V klubu z Porta lucemburského podnikatele Gérarda Lópeze je poslední měsíce ale rušno snad po všech stránkách. V zimě po odblokování přestupů dorazilo hned deset hráčů včetně Vaclíka právě s cílem se zachránit. V týdnu portugalská média informovala, že v areálu stadionu nešla kvůli dluhům elektrika. Zároveň od startu jarní části došlo k mnoha dalším personálním rošádám.Můžete krátce popsat, co všechno se v prvním týmu událo?Asi dva dny po mém příchodu skončil sportovní ředitel. Několikrát se změnil trenér gólmanů, na jedno utkání jsme dokonce žádného neměli. Co se týče hlavních koučů, skončil Lito Vidigal, který vedl tým jen šest utkání. Na dva zápasy to vzal Jorge Couto, tedy muž, který v Boavistě historicky pracoval. Následně byl angažován současný kouč Stuart Baxter. Takže tři hlavní a tři trenéři gólmanů za […]
Novak Djokovic’s tennis record made his ranking irrelevant, but he needs to care about it now
Novak Djokovic was as unequivocal as an athlete could be earlier this month, when he was asked what his goals were for the ongoing clay-court season.“Roland Garros,” he answered, referring to the French Open, in late May and early June, after losing his opening match in Monte Carlo, Monaco, to Alejandro Tabilo. “That’s it.”AdvertisementUnderstood. So what’s a player like that doing at a tournament like the Madrid Open?Sure, Madrid, which got underway this week, takes place on the red clay, just as the French Open does, but the similarities largely end there.The Spanish capital sits more than 2,000 feet above sea level, which allows the ball to fly and bounce during tennis matches in ways it won’t in Paris. The air is also dry, allowing the sun to bake the surface and make it behave more like a hard court […]
Welchem Klub er sich selbst anbietet – Spektakuläre Wende im Poker um Bayern-Flirt!
Alles schien klar mit Arsenal! Die Herausforderung der Premier League, die Chance auf Tore in der Königsklasse, große Titelhoffnungen – für Viktor Gyökeres (26) von Sporting Lissabon passte alles. Doch jetzt kommt es offenbar alles anders. Weil der Bayern-Flirt es offenbar so will!Obwohl die Gespräche mit den „Gunners“ bereits seit einiger Zeit laufen, hat sich der Schwede nun offenbar in den Kopf gesetzt, doch einem anderen Top-Verein den Vorzug zu geben. Seine Agenten sollen auf seinen „ausdrücklichen Wunsch“ Kontakt zu Real Madrid aufgenommen haben, um einen möglichen Wechsel zu besprechen, meldet „Defensa Central“.London oder doch lieber Madrid?Lesen Sie auch<!-->[-->Gyökeres hat sich in den letzten Jahren zu einem der besten Stürmer Europas entwickelt. 48 Tore und 12 Vorlagen in 47 Spielen in dieser Saison sprechen eine deutliche Sprache. Sporting-Trainer Rui Borges lobte ihn kürzlich als „außergewöhnlichen Stürmer“ und „besten der Liga“.Gyökeres will […]
NHL playoff picks, odds, schedule for Saturday’s Stanley Cup action including Stars-Avalanche
Saturday brings a quadruple header of Stanley Cup Playoffs action, including the first elimination game of the postseason. The Toronto Maple Leafs go for the sweep of the Ottawa Senators.In the first game of the day, the defending champion Florida Panthers go for a 3-0 lead after winning both games in Tampa. Plus, there are pivotal Game 4s in Minnesota and Colorado.AdvertisementViewing guide for Saturday GameTime (ET)TVStreamLightning at Panthers1 p.m.US: TBS, truTV, FDSN SunCanada: SportsnetGolden Knights at Wild4 p.m.US: TBS, truTV, FDSN NorthCanada: SportsnetMaple Leafs at Senators7 p.m.US: TBS, truTVCanada: Sportsnet, CBCMaxStars at Avalanche9:30 p.m.US: TBS, truTV, AltitudeCanada: Sportsnet All games on Saturday can be streamed on Max.Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub.Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida PanthersPanthers lead series 2-0Series odds: Panthers -650, Lightning +475After the Panthers took Games 1 and 2 on the road, the biggest story […]
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega odds, predictions: Team Penske favored but long shots shine at superspeedway
After the Easter break, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to party city Talladega this weekend for the Jack Link’s 500. Drivers will be looking for a dose of good luck at the superspeedway in their attempts to avoid the “Big One” and clinch a win. With an unbroken stretch of races from now until November, the unpredictability of Talladega could be exactly what a long-shot driver needs.AdvertisementAs always, we’re previewing the race and getting predictions from our NASCAR experts, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi. They’re answering our questions about the Cup Series’ upcoming schedule, All-Star race controversies, Rodney Childers’ future and who might cross the finish line first this weekend.Take it away, guys!How to watch the Jack Link’s 500 Track: Talladega Superspeedway — Lincoln, Ala. Time: Sunday, April 27, 3 p.m. ET TV: Fox Streaming: Fubo (try for free) NASCAR Cup Series […]
After spending big on defense in free agency, Colts continue to invest in revamped unit
INDIANAPOLIS — JT Tuimoloau knew he was in rare air. As a teenager at East Side Catholic High School in Seattle, his dream was to play in the NFL. But unlike most teenagers, his talent at the prep level put him in rooms few others his age could enter. Before the Indianapolis Colts selected Tuimoloau with the No. 45 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday night, the blueprint was laid before him years prior when he crossed paths with Seahawks legends Cliff Avril and Bobby Wagner — and an underdog still trying to prove himself at the highest level.AdvertisementThat underdog?Zaire Franklin, the Indianapolis Colts’ second-team All-Pro linebacker. But back then, he was a recent seventh-round pick training at Ford Sports Performance in Seattle with Avril and Wagner. Tuimoloau was there, too, having already soaked up a few years […]
Related
Osm zápasů, tři trenéři. Vaclík o veletoči v novém klubu: Byl to extrém
Porto (od našeho zpravodaje) - Osmibodová ztráta na barážové místo je téměř pryč, Boavista stále může pomýšlet na udržení mezi elitou. V klubu z Porta lucemburského podnikatele Gérarda Lópeze je poslední měsíce ale rušno snad po všech stránkách. V zimě po odblokování přestupů dorazilo hned deset hráčů včetně Vaclíka právě s cílem se zachránit. V týdnu portugalská média informovala, že v areálu stadionu nešla kvůli dluhům elektrika. Zároveň od startu jarní části došlo k mnoha dalším personálním rošádám.Můžete krátce popsat, co všechno se v prvním týmu událo?Asi dva dny po mém příchodu skončil sportovní ředitel. Několikrát se změnil trenér gólmanů, na jedno utkání jsme dokonce žádného neměli. Co se týče hlavních koučů, skončil Lito Vidigal, který vedl tým jen šest utkání. Na dva zápasy to vzal Jorge Couto, tedy muž, který v Boavistě historicky pracoval. Následně byl angažován současný kouč Stuart Baxter. Takže tři hlavní a tři trenéři gólmanů za […]
Novak Djokovic’s tennis record made his ranking irrelevant, but he needs to care about it now
Novak Djokovic was as unequivocal as an athlete could be earlier this month, when he was asked what his goals were for the ongoing clay-court season.“Roland Garros,” he answered, referring to the French Open, in late May and early June, after losing his opening match in Monte Carlo, Monaco, to Alejandro Tabilo. “That’s it.”AdvertisementUnderstood. So what’s a player like that doing at a tournament like the Madrid Open?Sure, Madrid, which got underway this week, takes place on the red clay, just as the French Open does, but the similarities largely end there.The Spanish capital sits more than 2,000 feet above sea level, which allows the ball to fly and bounce during tennis matches in ways it won’t in Paris. The air is also dry, allowing the sun to bake the surface and make it behave more like a hard court […]
Welchem Klub er sich selbst anbietet – Spektakuläre Wende im Poker um Bayern-Flirt!
Alles schien klar mit Arsenal! Die Herausforderung der Premier League, die Chance auf Tore in der Königsklasse, große Titelhoffnungen – für Viktor Gyökeres (26) von Sporting Lissabon passte alles. Doch jetzt kommt es offenbar alles anders. Weil der Bayern-Flirt es offenbar so will!Obwohl die Gespräche mit den „Gunners“ bereits seit einiger Zeit laufen, hat sich der Schwede nun offenbar in den Kopf gesetzt, doch einem anderen Top-Verein den Vorzug zu geben. Seine Agenten sollen auf seinen „ausdrücklichen Wunsch“ Kontakt zu Real Madrid aufgenommen haben, um einen möglichen Wechsel zu besprechen, meldet „Defensa Central“.London oder doch lieber Madrid?Lesen Sie auch<!-->[-->Gyökeres hat sich in den letzten Jahren zu einem der besten Stürmer Europas entwickelt. 48 Tore und 12 Vorlagen in 47 Spielen in dieser Saison sprechen eine deutliche Sprache. Sporting-Trainer Rui Borges lobte ihn kürzlich als „außergewöhnlichen Stürmer“ und „besten der Liga“.Gyökeres will […]
NHL playoff picks, odds, schedule for Saturday’s Stanley Cup action including Stars-Avalanche
Saturday brings a quadruple header of Stanley Cup Playoffs action, including the first elimination game of the postseason. The Toronto Maple Leafs go for the sweep of the Ottawa Senators.In the first game of the day, the defending champion Florida Panthers go for a 3-0 lead after winning both games in Tampa. Plus, there are pivotal Game 4s in Minnesota and Colorado.AdvertisementViewing guide for Saturday GameTime (ET)TVStreamLightning at Panthers1 p.m.US: TBS, truTV, FDSN SunCanada: SportsnetGolden Knights at Wild4 p.m.US: TBS, truTV, FDSN NorthCanada: SportsnetMaple Leafs at Senators7 p.m.US: TBS, truTVCanada: Sportsnet, CBCMaxStars at Avalanche9:30 p.m.US: TBS, truTV, AltitudeCanada: Sportsnet All games on Saturday can be streamed on Max.Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub.Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida PanthersPanthers lead series 2-0Series odds: Panthers -650, Lightning +475After the Panthers took Games 1 and 2 on the road, the biggest story […]
NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega odds, predictions: Team Penske favored but long shots shine at superspeedway
After the Easter break, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to party city Talladega this weekend for the Jack Link’s 500. Drivers will be looking for a dose of good luck at the superspeedway in their attempts to avoid the “Big One” and clinch a win. With an unbroken stretch of races from now until November, the unpredictability of Talladega could be exactly what a long-shot driver needs.AdvertisementAs always, we’re previewing the race and getting predictions from our NASCAR experts, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi. They’re answering our questions about the Cup Series’ upcoming schedule, All-Star race controversies, Rodney Childers’ future and who might cross the finish line first this weekend.Take it away, guys!How to watch the Jack Link’s 500 Track: Talladega Superspeedway — Lincoln, Ala. Time: Sunday, April 27, 3 p.m. ET TV: Fox Streaming: Fubo (try for free) NASCAR Cup Series […]
After spending big on defense in free agency, Colts continue to invest in revamped unit
INDIANAPOLIS — JT Tuimoloau knew he was in rare air. As a teenager at East Side Catholic High School in Seattle, his dream was to play in the NFL. But unlike most teenagers, his talent at the prep level put him in rooms few others his age could enter. Before the Indianapolis Colts selected Tuimoloau with the No. 45 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday night, the blueprint was laid before him years prior when he crossed paths with Seahawks legends Cliff Avril and Bobby Wagner — and an underdog still trying to prove himself at the highest level.AdvertisementThat underdog?Zaire Franklin, the Indianapolis Colts’ second-team All-Pro linebacker. But back then, he was a recent seventh-round pick training at Ford Sports Performance in Seattle with Avril and Wagner. Tuimoloau was there, too, having already soaked up a few years […]
Be the first to leave a comment