After a lethargic showing on Tuesday, Tempers flared in Boston on Wednesday night, is this what the Yankees needed to get going?
After a 5-6 start to the season, the Yankees seemed like they were in quite a rut. Besides a lack of hitting and pitching, the team also looked like they were lacking a little bit of energy early on. That should not be an issue anymore, thanks to Tyler Austin.
In the third inning of Wednesday night’s ballgame, Tyler Austin slid into second base and caught Brock Holt‘s leg with his cleat. Holt took exception to this and had some words for Austin. The benches cleared, everyone stared at each other, and that was that.
After this happened, you just had a feeling something was brewing. It didn’t happen in Austin’s next at-bat, but when Joe Kelly entered, things changed quickly. Four pitches later, and Austin is gloriously slamming his bat, and charging at Kelly.
Now, I know it’s a cliche to say that this brings a team together, but I think it truly does. When you watch the brawl, the one thing that sticks out is Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton immediately getting Kelly off of Austin, teammates protecting teammates.
Can't wait for this game to be a Yankees classic in a few years… pic.twitter.com/3pM6PsSzbo
— Patrick Hennessy (@TrueHennessy) April 12, 2018
Things like these, are great for team chemistry. When these players look back at these videos and see their teammates protecting them, that has to bring a group of guys together. Especially for a new guy like Stanton who was right in the middle of it all. It almost feels like he’s really a Yankee now.
In terms of energy, this may be what the Yankees needed. You have to imagine that the Yankees now have some extra motivation to win this series. If they can do that, they can head to Detroit feeling good coming off of two straight wins. That would be a great turn around after a very slow start to the 2018 campaign.
Although brawls can be dangerous because of injuries, there is no doubt it brings out the competitive juices in these athletes. When that brawl comes against the Red Sox, it means even more.
Needless to say, it will be interesting to see if this lights a spark under the Yankees. I think it’s safe to say though, that the rivalry is renewed.