In the previous analysis of the Astros vs. Yankees game on May 8, we covered the game process and the performance of the starting pitchers from both teams. This part will discuss the performance of the bullpens, the offensive output, some defensive details, and delve into why the Astros, a dominant team in recent years, are experiencing such a slump this season. The conclusion will also be presented.

4️⃣ Bullpen Performance of Both Teams

This season, there’s a stark contrast in bullpen performance between the two teams. Before this game, the Yankees’ bullpen had an ERA of just 2.27, ranking first in the league; on the other hand, despite bolstering their bullpen by acquiring former Padres’ closer Josh Hader, the Astros’ bullpen ERA of 4.44 ranked 21st in the league, falling short of expectations.

(Yankees’ bullpen in this game)

Yankees’ starter Luis Gil was pulled in the seventh inning with the team leading 8:1. Given the Astros’ resilience in offense and considering a continuous five-day game schedule ahead, the Yankees decided to use long-reliever Ron Marinaccio. In this game, Marinaccio pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowed one hit, no runs, one walk, and no strikeouts over 24 pitches, achieving an optimal 66.7% strike rate. His performance effectively shut down any Astros comeback without taxing him excessively, ensuring he could pitch the following days if needed.

Yankees’ Michael Tonkin, who had not played in the major leagues continuously from 2018-2022 but appeared in 45 games for the Braves last season, pitched in the ninth. He managed the first two outs quickly but unfortunately walked Jon Singleton with a significant lead in the count and then Victor Caratini reached base on an error by third baseman Jon Berti, sparking a slight Astros rally. Trey Cabbage’s hit narrowed the score to 10:3, but Tonkin contained the situation without further damage.

(Astros’ bullpen in this game)

Astros’ starter Justin Verlander left in the bottom of the sixth, and reliever Tayler Scott took over. In that half-inning, Scott allowed two hits and one run, generating three groundball outs, which matched his season tendency towards being more of a flyball pitcher (flyout-to-groundout ratio of 0.92).

In the seventh, long-reliever Brandon Bielak faced control issues, leading to two hit-by-pitches and expanding the Yankees’ lead to 10:1. His 30 pitches included only 15 strikes, indicating significant control problems.

Seth Martinez pitched the eighth for the Astros, walking two but inducing a double play to prevent any further scoring.

5️⃣ Offensive Performance of Both Teams

Both teams have similar offensive stats this season, with both the Astros and Yankees ranking in the top ten for wRC+ and wOBA before this game. However, the Astros have a slight edge in batting and slugging percentages, indicating a stronger hitting performance.

(Astros’ offensive output)

The Astros struggled against Yankees’ starter Luis Gil, with only Kyle Tucker managing a home run in the first inning, and failing to hit safely again until the seventh inning. The Astros produced 10 hard hits, but most found their way to Yankee gloves, highlighting some stellar outfield defensive plays by the Yankees.

(Yankees’ offensive output)

The Yankees amassed 13 hits, including three home runs, capitalizing on six walks issued by Astros pitchers. They were also effective in clutch situations, going 4-for-13 with runners in scoring position, significantly contributing to their 10-run total.

6️⃣ Defensive Details

This season, the Astros have a slightly better basic fielding percentage than the Yankees, but the Yankees have better advanced defensive metrics, such as Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and Outs Above Average (OAA), indicating more effective defensive plays.

Highlights of Yankees’ defense included Alex Verdugo’s key catches in left field, which quelled potential Astros’ rallies.

7️⃣ Why are the Astros Struggling This Season?

Despite maintaining a core roster similar to previous successful seasons, the Astros have faced significant challenges, particularly with their pitching staff. Key starters were on the injured list early in the season, forcing reliance on less experienced pitchers who have struggled significantly. The bullpen, despite expectations, has not performed to potential, contributing to the team’s struggles.

In summary, while the Astros’ lineup remains competitive, their pitching woes have been the primary factor in their underwhelming performance this season. With plenty of games left, there’s time for adjustments, but immediate improvements in pitching are crucial for turning their season around.

This concludes Part 2 of the game analysis. Stay tuned for further discussions on how this series evolves between these historic rivals.

Sources:
Fangraphs
MLB Official Website
Baseball Savant
Major League Baseball Encyclopedia
Yahoo Sports News
Baseball Reference