Yankees Hot Corner – The Bombers are winning every game they shouldn’t

Whether it be the walk-off win against the Mariners just two weeks ago or the improbable encore on Friday night, the New York Yankees somehow keep finding ways to win games they have no business winning.  The hero of Friday’s game was a familiar one, Gio Urshela, and his heroics come with a nice consolation prize;  First place in the American League East.

Against the Mariners the Yankees needed a two run home run from Urshela to tie the game, then a single by D.J. Lemahieu to win it.  Friday looked eerily similar, as Luke Voit started off the ninth inning with a solo shot.  Then followed good at bats by Thiaro Estrada and Gleyber Torres, who ripped a double into left field.  With men on second and third, the Rays decided to walk Clint Frazier to get to Cameron Maybin.

Although Maybin didn’t get on base, the Yankees produced another run on a Wild Pitch by Jose Alvarado to score Estrada.  The game was tied and was in the hands of one Gio Urshela.  Urshela ripped a 2-0 slider over Kevin Kiermaier’s head and won the game in walk off fashion.

Why was this win so important for the Yankees?  Well it’s a two-fold answer.  First of all, this was another game where everything seemed to go the wrong way yet the Yankees still came out with a victory.  Gleyber Torres had a few unforced errors in the field, the Yankees gave little run support to C.C. Sabathia who pitched a masterful six inning, one run game and Chad Green gave up another run in a huge spot.

Second and more importantly, the Yankees continued to show this never say die attitude.  It sounds cliche as obviously every team is looking to win every game, but the Yankees are somehow literally never out of a game despite not having their most talented roster out there.  These Yankees are scrappy and dare I say underdogs in the 2019 season.

It’s always tough to call the Yankees underdogs because they have the most championships in Big Four sports history but this team truly is a group of underdogs.  They’re fun to root for and they’re playing like they have nothing to lose.  Who ever thought that Gio Urshela would be one of the best players on the Yankees even a few months ago?  The Yankees continue to prove that sometimes it’s more about will to win than talent.  Who knows how far that can take them, but it sure is fun to watch.