Daily dose of Yordan (Game 81)

Today's statline: 1-4, RBI, K

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At bat 1 (Bottom of second): 3 pitch lineout to pitcher

Yordan started the at bat by watching an inside curveball for ball one, before taking a fastball right down the middle for strike one. He then hit another similar curveball, this one high and right in the zone, for a soft line drive that the pitcher unfortunately easily snagged for the first out.

At bat 2 (Bottom of fourth): 6 pitch single to center, RBI

Yordan came up in a big spot here, runners on first and second. He took a fastball near his hands for ball one, before taking an offspeed pitch in a similar place but in the zone to even the count. Then he watched another fastball sail in near his hands for ball two, before fouling off a pitch right down the middle that made both announcers go "umphhh" in disappointment. He then watched an extremely high fastball for ball 3 to make the count full before getting an offspeed pitch near his hands that he punched into center field for a single that scored Brantley, giving the Astros their first run of the game. Great job there to simply fight off a pitch in the zone and use his natural power to drive in the runner without sacrificing contact.

At bat 3 (Bottom of sixth): 4 pitch strikeout looking

Yordan once again started the at at by taking a strike on offspeed right down the middle. He then looked foolish swinging on an outside fastball like he was underwater. He then took a similar pitch low and outside at 97 MPH before watching an absolutely horrible 3rd strike that was approximately 3 inches off the plate and not even close. Yordan couldn't really do anything but shake his head as he went back to the dugout.

At bat 4 (Bottom of eighth): 3 pitch flyout to center

Again, Yordan watched the first pitch of the at bat for a strike, this time on a curve right down the middle. I know he wants to calibrate the pitcher's speed and try and see him better, but I feel like he should try and be more aggressive on those first pitches, sort of like how Corey Seager does. He then fouled off a fastball near his hands for strike two before making good contact on a changeup low that unfortunately was just a routine flyout for the center fielder.

Halfway point of the season, so far the response to this series has been extremely positive, and I hope Yordan and I have what's in me to finish the back half strong. Once again, remember to vote Yordan as your American League all star DH, which you can do here: https://www.mlb.com/all-star/ballot. Thanks for reading and go Yordan!