Getting through the Yankees’ lineup used to be about as easy as navigating a minefield.
Running a gantlet that included Giancarlo Stanton, last year’s National League M.V.P.; Aaron Judge, who hit 52 home runs as a rookie; and Gary Sanchez, who belted 53 homers in his first 175 major league games was a pitcher’s nightmare.
But now, with Judge out indefinitely for a broken wrist, Sanchez on the disabled list with a groin strain, Gleyber Torres and Greg Bird looking lost at the plate and two other hitters in the lineup batting under .200, maneuvering through the Yankees’ lineup now seems as stress free as a walk in the park on a summer afternoon.