Young Yankees

The young season has started better than expected for the Yankees.  Far better: going 5-0 for the first time since 1992; and doing it on the roast against tough competition.  First by sweeping all four from their nemesis, the perennially contending Astros and then, Monday night, knocking off the defending NL Champions the D'backs.

While Juan Soto has been as good as promised, it's the Young Yankees who've been equally impressive.  Shortstop Anthony Volpe (above) has sparkled in the field and at the plate.  Reworking his swing with better balance and high-contact approach has paid off  -- showcased by his first four hit game Monday night, with two doubles and two runs scored.  All this when he's still not fully recovered from an illness he picked up on the Yankees recent visit to Mexico City.

Luis Gil might be the bigger surprise.  After opening eyes during a six-game audition in 2021, he missed most of the next two years due to Tommy John surgery.  But he seems to have picked up where he left off, first with impressive work in spring training (he shut down the Phillies when I saw him in Clearwater on March 5th) and, then again last night with 4-2/3 dominant innings of one-run ball facing Arizona.  More than one pitcher will need to exceed expectations while Gerrit Cole is sidelined until at least Memorial Day.  Seeing Gil dominate hitters was a very positive sign, 



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