Daily dose of Yordan (Game 140)

Today's statline: 1-2, RBI, 2 R, 3 BB

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At bat 1 (Bottom of first): 2 pitch flyout to right

Facing Ohtani in the first inning, Yordan started the at bat off by taking an easy 97 MPH fastball right in his wheelhouse down and away but in the zone for strike one. Then he got an offspeed pitch, also inside but slightly higher in the zone, that he hit pretty hard. He hit a pretty nice fly ball that carried to right field, but unfortunately it stayed too high to have any meaningful impact, as the right fielder made the easy play for the routine flyout.

At bat 2 (Bottom of third): 2 pitch double to center, RBI, R

Yordan again started the at bat by taking an Ohtani pitch in the zone and low for a strike, this time a slider. He then got the pitch he wanted, a slider in the zone inside but in the zone, identical to the pitch that got him out in the first inning. He absolutely crushed it, sending it way back to center field and off the wall for a stand up double. Bregman would score easily, and Yordan tacked on the first (of many) runs of the game for the Astros. A fantastic job by him to adjust and hunt out a pitch that got him out in the first, and capitalize on it to do damage. He then tied the game soon after by scoring on a Correa RBI single.

At bat 3 (Bottom of fourth): 4 pitch walk, R

Having forced Ohtani out of the game earlier in the inning, Yordan came up facing the new reliever with a runner on second. He took 4 consecutive fastballs, 3 of them low and out of the zone and one near his hands, all balls, to take the easy 4 pitch walk. He would again score later in the inning, this time on an Aledmys Diaz single after going to third on an error.

At bat 4 (Bottom of sixth): 6 pitch walk

The Angels sent out another pitcher to try and get Yordan out to lead off the inning, and once again, the plan backfired. The at bat started with Yordan taking consecutive high fastballs, one way outside for a ball, but the other a stone cold strike that evened the count. He then took another fastball outside by a lot for a ball, but then fouled off another fastball right down the middle to make the count 2-2. Instead of buckling down however, Yordan took a curve way inside for a ball to make the count full, and then took a slider way outside for the well earned walk. A very good job by him to work the zone and take his base when the pitcher couldn't contend with his discipline. He would advance to second on a Correa single, but would not score in the inning.

At bat 5 (Bottom of seventh): 5 pitch walk

For the third time today, the Angels trotted out another no name reliever to face Yordan, trying to stop him from reaching base. For the third time they failed. After the previous reliever threw him mostly fastballs, Yordan got to face a junkballer this time, who nibbled the zone with offspeed, something you should never do with him. Yordan took ball one on a very questionable call by the ump (thanks blue!), and then again fouled off a pitch in his wheelhouse, offspeed low and inside. He then took three straight low pitches out of the zone to take the walk, finishing his day with 3 walks and a deep double to his name. Overall a very productive offensive game from him, proving that even without a long ball he can still impact a game positively in so many ways.

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Honestly today was a perfect microcosm of what Yordan can give you as a player. The deep contact, elite discipline, and good offensive fundamentals were all on display today, leading to an easy Astros win. What also was worth noting was his sus outfield defense in left field, including a noodle throw to third in the fifth on an Adell triple, leading to an unearned run. Probably should have held that one instead of risking it, but even with that one blemish he had a very good game , almost 100% sure he had his career high in walks in one game today. Probably should DH when the Astros reach the playoffs though, in a close game mistakes like that could compound.